My family always likes to eat out for special occasions and I'm trying to watch my weight?

Question

Today is my grandma's birthday, yesterday was my mom's and a couple of days ago was my dad's... I don't see them as much as I used to and I love being able to visit with everybody. However, my family is huge! Every week there is a celebration for someone... most of the time we end up at restaurants with the least healthy menus.
I hate ordering just a salad because 1) they tease me and 2) because I am trying my hardest to lose weight and it is near impossible when setting at a table starring at everything I want to eat but cannot. It is like torture.
I have another birthday dinner tonight at Red Lobster, those cheese biscuits and fried shrimp platters are calling my name (fried foods are my weakness).
How to I get around this issue and enjoy my own rabbit food and the company of my family (without focusing on everything I can't have)?

Answer 1

Go for the unfried foods. Grilled shrimp, steamed crab legs, lobster, or grilled chicken breast. Or, get a bowl of soup along with your salad, and maybe a sandwich. Remember, eating right is about will power too, not just avoidance. And if you do cave, don't stress(stress is counterproductive when trying to lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight), just work out extra hard the next day. Here are some dishes that sound really good to me:)

Grilled Chicken Breast
Marinated in tangy balsamic vinaigrette and fire-grilled. Served over wild rice pilaf.

Garlic-Grilled Jumbo Shrimp
Two skewers of jumbo shrimp brushed with a savory garlic-herb marinade and grilled to perfection. Served with seasonal vegetables.

Seafood-Stuffed Flounder
Crab-and-seafood stuffing baked inside a flounder fillet.

Lobster Bisque

Seafood Caesar Salad
Maine and langostino lobster with shrimp served warm over crisp romaine, with Caesar dressing and grated Parmesan.
Apple-Walnut Chicken Salad
Field greens, warm grilled chicken, red bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, apples, toasted walnuts and blue cheese with balsamic vinaigrette.
(these salads sound like they could be a meal by themselves:P)

Answer 2

I agree with Charrie. It's your body, and only you can control what goes into it. Order that salad. If you get teased for it, explain to them that ordering salads is what's helping you lose weight, not that other stuff. It sucks, I know, but if you've been do so well, why blow it now? Think about how guilty you'll feel later on when you do "cheat". It might not seem like much, but it adds up in the pounds, believe me! Tell your family that you're trying to eat healthier (if you tell them you're trying to lose weight, you might even get more teased), and that fried foods are not on your list. Period. Sometimes you gotta be tough with them, but it's for your own good. Think about how great you'll feel knowing that you can actually pass up the fried food! You'll be so proud of yourself, and it'll only give you more inspiration to continue on! Hope this helped! Good luck!

Answer 3

I am not trying to be sarcastic or flippant, and I am not trying to offend you. That being said, ask for one of those Styrofoam containers and deliberately put part of your food in one. Red Lobster has a lovely broiled seafood platter (I usually get that) and most restaurants have a low fat or no fat portion of the menu for people like us, who like to be able to see our shoelaces when we look down. IF you get teased, tease back. It might also help if you take someone empathetic (usually Mom) aside and give her a gentle ultimatum. I would love to be able to continue to spend time with you all, but it has to be on these terms. Moms are great that way. You can also call the restaurant in advance and find out the least egregious menu items. Restaurants want your business and are usually willing to meet you at least halfway. By the way? What's wrong with being absolutely crazy about salads? I am! I have to avoid the blue cheese (heart palpitations) but if salads are your thing, go for it. My family thought I was crazy the first few times I ordered a lovely cobb salad, or just ate from the salad line at a buffet, but you would be amazed at how many of them follow my example now. If anyone asks, you are saving room for desert (and nobody ever said you had to commit to ordering one!)

Answer 4

Don't give them the satisfaction of knowing that their teasing bothers you! If they tease you, so what? Let it roll off your back and eventually if won't be funny for them anymore.

At Christmastime, when all my co-workers are wandering about with trays of chocolate, cookies, and other sweets asking if everyone wants one, I used to look at them longingly and say something like, "oh... I really shouldn't...", and of course the teasing would start: "oh, come ON! Have one!". I have since noticed that a polite but confident "no thank you" actually makes them walk away without any pestering at all.

It's all in the mindset! Be confident and they will leave you alone. And, soon, the cravings will leave you alone too.

Answer 5

Same problem here. Eat before you go out. This way a salad will hold you over or you can order something small. I hear ya sister, it's rough. My whole family is heavy and loves to indulge and I am thin and would like to keep it that way.

Answer 6

Seriously, if they're teasing you they're trying to sabatoge your weight loss. Screw em! Get a salad and tell them you just cant' resist the dressing they use and if they give you crap they give you crap. You could even say something like "well I'd love to celebrate granny's birthday by clogging my arteries like all of you but you know, to honor her, I'm going to try to stay healthy" hehehe
and I agree with the others, eat something before you go so that you'll be less tempted by those trigger foods.

Answer 7

I know how you feel. It is a tempting thing when you are fighting this demon called weight control. I recently lost 4 lbs., and gained them back almost immediately at a family gathering. You have to stick to your guns and order that salad. This is your body you are dealing with. They will tease you now that you are thin, and when you gain the extra weight, you will be teased again. Satisfy yourself by doing what you know what is right for you.

Answer 8

I would suggest eatting something before you go and then ordering a salad with some type of meat in it and then it doesnt look as obivious that you are on a diet or order something grilled rather than fried.
P.S. those biscuits are the best!!!

Answer 9

I order a steak, plain and eat a salad with it. Don't order chips or potatoes.
No one really notices.

Answer 10

go 20 mph on your bike for 6 1 2 minutes