Eating Healthy While Eating Out

Ahhhhhh!!! This weekend was my best friend’s bridal shower AND bachelorette party..all in ONE day! To say the least, eating healthy and staying on track was a pain in the booty.  All the yummy shower foods and then going out for the party was a calorie (and probably chemically) crazy hurdle. BUT I did it. How? I paid suuuuuuuper close attention to what was going into my mouth.  I didn’t want to be that crazy bridesmaid that didn’t eat in hopes of fitting in her dress just right, but I also didn’t want to over do it.  Of course there was splurging that happened, but I did keep some tips in mind.  But for all of you, and for my next traveling adventure in a couple weeks, here’s some tips on staying healthy while eating out.

1.       Drink water.

Drinking water is obviously the best choice for drinks that are usually offered while going out (or staying in) so save your money and go for the free refilled water.  Also, make sure to drink 1-2 glasses before your meal arrives. Sure you may have to pee, but public bathrooms aren’t really that bad…right?? =/

 

2.       Go over the menu carefully.

Don’t get sucked in by yummy pictures that are usually not all that healthy.  Instead, read the descriptions.  Look for words like: buttered, fried, creamed, au gratin, a la mode, etc.  Sure the ice cream and smothered cheese may sound yummy, but those aren’t always worth the extra burpees.  Instead, go for the food that is steamed, grilled, stir-fried, broiled, or roasted =)

3.       Order a healthy app or a side salad to come before your meal.

A healthy app or side salad (dressing on the side) full of vegetables will help in filling you up before the meal comes so that you don’t over eat and have regret later.

4.       Order the “small” or “medium” size.

Ordering these sizes will make sure your meal is closer to actual portion sizes than the full size meal.

5.       Figure out how much you’re going to eat.

If you don’t have an option for a small or medium or you like to bring home extras, figure out when your meal arrives how much you’re going to eat.  Yes this sounds crazy…what if you end up still being hungry or if you realize the meal is too good to save for later..STOP!  You may still be  little hungry, but just wait a little longer for your head to catch up to your stomach. –It takes 20 minutes for you to register that you’re full– so just pack it up and bring it home.  And if it’s so good that you don’t want to save it, DO IT ANYWAY!  This means you’ll have a healthy meal you already know you love ready for you to eat.  Who doesn’t love convenience??

6.       Dessert please!

Don’t just automatically think you can’t have a dessert. Of course you can!  But, think before you order.  If you want a dessert, make up your mind before your waiter/waitress comes up to your table and says “And would you be interested in a dessert today?”  Fresh fruit is always a great option. But for something a little more fun, get some sorbet instead of the full on ice cream.

 

With it being summer, we’re all on the go for family vacations, college visits, or just a quick lovers getaway.  Don’t let the tempting billboards take control of your snacking!  Get a little cooler and pack it with your favorite healthy snack choices.  This cuts down on unhealthy choices AND the amount of time you spend sitting at some gas station/fast food joint rather than in the car and getting closer to your destination!

Eating out and on the go don’t have to be a burden on your healthy lifestyle.  It just takes a little planning and some willpower when tempted by the unhealthy choices thrown in our faces.

P.S. If this happens to be a cheat/treat meal, then pick ONE thing you’d like to go all out on instead of going out on everything.

CREDIT: Information was taken from some awesome sources:

·         http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips/tips-for-eating-out.html

·         http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/healthy-choices-when-eating-out

How to Stay on Track in a Hectic Life

The biggest reason I get for people not working out and taking care of themselves is that they "don't have time". Ummmm..NEWSFLASH!!  You do have time!  I know that life gets busy, but let's face it. If you don't make time for your health, you're going to eventually be very unhealthy leading you to a life where you aren't going to be ABLE to do the things that are sooooooooo important now.

So here's the question: How do you make time to work out?
Answer: Plan ahead.

Planning your week before it happens will make it easier for you to stick to a healthy lifestyle.  I know that this sounds like a task, but it's really a lot easier then you think.

First: Get yourself a calendar that has time slots.  This will allow you to block off specific times during your day so you know what you should be doing at what time.

Second: Write in all the things that are non-negotiable. These are things like your work hours, the time you spend with your kids, appointments, commuting time, etc.  These things just aren't going to change no matter how much you want to be doing something else during those times. But let's face it, that kid time IS what I want to be doing during that time =)

Third: Note when you want to be sleeping.  This will help you frame how many hour you have to do everything else on your list. But remember, this is just an idea so mark it in pencil.  I know for me, this  time is always changing depending on how many things have to get done during that day.

Fourth:  Schedule a workout time.  You may not see this in the time frame that your currently awake, but that's not a problem.  Those of us who are ready to take that step will FIND the time.  It could be getting up an hour early, going to bed an hour later, or using part of your lunch time in order to do a quick HIIT workout.  I know that the thought of losing precious sleep time sounds horrible, but once you get into a schedule you won't miss the sleep as much. Plus, the workouts will give you more energy and help your sleep to be a deeper sleep - win/win in my book  =)  Also, mark this in PEN.  This time has now become a non-negotiable and a very important time that needs to stay.

Fifth: Set goal days. Where do you want to be in 30, 60, 90, or even 365 days from now?  Writing down specific days to hit the goals makes it easier for you to stay on track.  There is nothing worse the getting to a goal day and realizing you didn't do everything in your power to hit that goal.

NOTE: It may also help to get a dry erase calendar. That way you can mark down important things that are going on each month, the days that you are to be hitting a goal, what workout you are doing that day, and what meals you have in store.  I personally have four calendars so I am always aware of what is supposed to be going on. Each varies in what it tells me, but I have one that is my main calendar and says EVERYTHING.  This is the one that I check before I start each day and throughout the day when I need a little reminder.

Finding time in the crazy life that we live isn't always easy.  But then again, no one ever said that anything worth having is easy.  So, plan ahead and get moving towards those goals!