So I’ve been living the healthy life for over a month now. In 30 days, I’ve given up soda, salt and pretty much sleeping in, since I often work out early in the morning. I've lost 7 lbs, I feel great, and weirdest of all-most days I don’t even feel deprived. It’s all good, except for one thing; I don’t think I can ever eat out again.
Last week I tried; dinner with my husband. Just he and I, at a really nice restaurant I’d been wanting to try out. We were seated quickly, the atmosphere was great, and the menu had a variety of healthy entrees. There was only one problem; I didn’t want the healthy entre. I wanted the artichoke chicken dish sautéed in butter. And the bread and the oil they brought to the table and just one teensy glass of wine…
It’s hard. I want to be healthy but I also want to enjoy my life, which obviously for me (hence my need to lose weight) includes enjoying my food. When I find myself hungry at a restaurant, I'm faced with a really tough decision; stay strong or cave. One can’t always cave in, or that one will gain every pound back. That night, I threw caution to the wind and ate the chicken dish. I did eat only half of it but I am sure the bread and the wine made up for that! The next day I worked out longer and harder to help with the guilt.
This week it happened again. I chose to go with my co-workers/friends and grab lunch at Paradise Bakery. I knew it was risky (read: b-a-k-e-r-y) but I was feeling strong. So I went and chose the seemingly healthiest thing I could find on the menu, a vegetarian sandwich on whole grain bread. Later I discovered my healthy sandwich was 560 calories. Not outrageous but still too much for a girl who’s living on 1200-1300 calories a day. I ate half, and it was delicious.
The longer I trek through this weight loss project, the more I am amazed at how many calories are in all restaurant food. What’s the deal? How come we can eat wonderful food at home that doesn’t break the calories bank but not at restaurants? How come things that appear to be low calorie, aren't?
It's a catch-22 because as much as I’d like to steer away from restaurants, frankly I can’t (lunch out with a friend today!). This is America; we like to eat out in this country, and doing so is part of our relaxing/socializing rituals. So, I guess it’s going to have to be about balance. If my dinner out is a splurge, it can be a splurge and I make up for it later. If it’s one of a handful of social activities I have lined up in my week; I’d better be choosing the healthy entrée. Whether it’s what I want, or not!
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