Two Dining Out Weight Loss Strategies (Unconventional)

Hi Joel, I absolutely do not agree on the credit card, because, in the end, it’s still money you will be paying. Also it’s no fun to chuck out the calculator to know how much you will be spending to make sure you have enough cash in your pocket.

I generally mentally sum up the prices of what I’m eating and usually get to a close 10% of what the check will be… It’s only a question of habit before you start doing this naturally.

These are interesting findings. The credit card one was a real mind blower.

Here is something I also do … I write out my current goal in the form of an affirmation statement and keep it with me as a reminder of what I want LONG TERM. In other words, What am I willing to give up that I really want (single digit body fat), for something I want RIGHT NOW (Guac and chips). So then I chose some lean grilled protein, salad, water and a diet soda.

If I really want the guac and chips (who doesn’t) then I have to do an extra 30 minutes of cardio before I go out to eat, drink at leat one full glass of water and cut 100 calories per meal out of my other 4 meals in the day. Then I can have the treat.

So, one can have it all if one plans ahead.

Nice ideas Joel. I have another one for you which not everyone will do but…when I can I order the kid’s meal version so the portion sizes are smaller. I wish places just had a lower priced/small portioned adult version of a meal, but they don’t so that is a strategy I use when eating out.

Wow…thanks for the great tip…I always pay with the debit machine and I find that all you said is true, not only for food but to purchase clothing, etc… Thanks, I will try that.

Hey Joel,
Totally agree with you on these – when we eat out as a family of 3 (me, hubby and 8 YO daughter), we will go and take just a $20 bill, even to places like Red Robin or Applebee’s – we split meals between my husband and myself, and if all we do is throw in an appetizer, we can share both the meal and the appetizer between the 3 of us –

But, if he pulls out the credit card (even if it is the bankcard), we do find that we’re more likely to “order up” a little bit ;)

I tend to agree that when i pay with “Borrowed money” i tend to eat more because I figure “i’ll pay for it later, why worry now” I think thats how i also feel when i eat more now. “I’ll worry about it later” Like i will workout more later to make up for what I ate now.

BANNED USER.

I’d love to be able to order from the kids’ menu but without my son there we usually can’t get away with it. Another trick is to order a lunch-size portion; my favorite Mexican restaurant charges $1 more than menu price for this. Usually still cheaper than a dinner entree.

A very sensible and logical plan which I had never considered until now. Good one.

TOTALLY agree with the credit card idea…not only will it make you more conscious of what you are spending if you use only cash, it will make your credit balances easier to maintain. On the other hand, there’s no customer loyalty rewards with cash (e.g. Airmiles).

One thing my wife and I decided to do was order one meal and one large sald and split them between the two of us. Most restaurants give enough food for two people. By splitting it the portion size is more reasonable and it also saves money.

Fortunately, in this case anyway, eating at that type of restaurant will not fit in my budget. Your information is good stuff to remember when my financial status changes though.

Originally Posted By Stef73Hi Joel, I absolutely do not agree on the credit card, because, in the end, it’s still money you will be paying.

@Stef73 – Umm, this is just the facts based on research – consumer DO spend more when using a credit card. Now if you can discipline yourself using the credit card, great! I’ve personally found that when I put down that “cold hard cash” when dining (or in any other purchasing context), it’s “more real” to me and I tend to behave differently! :-)

I would never wait an hour to eat anywhere but the pay with cash and establish a budget are two very cool ideas. Thanks.

I believe that you have shown a lot of wisdom with these two lessons. I stopped
drinking years ago. But my husband loves to order an appetizer. The only kind that I feel is safe is guacamole. Other wise I don’t like to order one. As for cash only that is a really good idea. The cost of going out has gone up so much, you had better check on line to see the if the menu has changed or if the prices have risen. There are a lot of restaurant menus on line now. Check them out

Hello. First I don’t go out to restaurants much so when I do it’s a real treat and I get what I want. I consider that my splurge and I make no excuses :)

I totally agree about the wait time though. When you’ve waited for an hour smelling all those delicious aromas then you’re likely to eat the napkins! And you’re so hungry you don’t even really savor the food once it comes. So calling ahead is a really good idea.

Also I order water to drink most of the time instead of anything else. It not only cuts down on the bill but it’s better for you too. “If” I have a different drink I have it with my meal instead of before. That way I find I’m not getting seconds or thirds.

Finally I love the pay with cash idea! It also works for grocery shopping by the way. It’s amazing how the temptation to buy junk goes away when you have a finite amount of money to spend!

@mary – I do similar to this, and often have two starters (instead of starter and main) if my friends are having two courses. Means I don’t have to sit and watch them eat, and I control my portion sizes better.

It just keeps getting better Thats Joel for you alwas having great ideas Yea I do get tempted with credit cards so I know what you mean

I agree. It is like going to the grocery store hungry, it isn’t a good idea. Even eating a little such as an apple, would be a good idea before leaving to the restaurant. We don’t eat out much, but I do eat a little before leaving so I don’t overeat or “eat with my eyes”.

Good post Joel.

Good tips. I typically like to try and check out their menu online see if I can get nutritional information before I go. Now this can’t be done all time of course so I never go really hungry. I find if I eat a handful of almonds within an hour of going out to eat I tend to eat much lighter. That is a trick I learned while on my weight loss journey. Since I have lost the weight I keep the habit as I know it will help me stay at my current weight and so far 2 1/2 years after I reached my goal weight it is still helping me. One good habit to never let go of.

Thanks for the tips but restaurants still usually serve waaay too much food on one plate — most of it cheap stachy carbs! I rarely eat out any more, but when I do, my husband and I have often shared portions.

Also, this makes no difference at a buffet. But I pretty much have that licked now too. I always start off with a salad plate only. I make sure to drink a fair bit of water beforehand. I also use a smaller plate, if there is a choice and I never finish everything I take. I am actually fairly well disciplined now.

Do not go anywhere hungry!!! Period!! Tom Venuto’s “Burn the fat, feed the muscle”. Eat 5-6 small meals a day and go anywhere. You will not be tempeted by the food and can wait if there is a wait line. Worked magics with my husband who would never beleive or follow anything. And now we can go anywhere, party, restaurant. Never overeat as you just can’t. You feel full after a few bytes.
As to the credit card – if you pay the balance in full each month, it is just a matter of convenience to pay with the plastic.

I do this without realising… last night i went to a restaurant and had BD25 in my pocket (about $60 – things are more expensive in Bahrain i think?). and i do it on nights out with my friends, etc. so im pleased i worked that out myself.

I got rid of my credit card a long time ago and never plan to get one again, ever. my thinking is if you aint got the cash for it, you cant afford it. i know of some people who are in a terrible mess owing $10’s of 1000’s and still continue buying the latest fashion. these people have the best wardrobes but they are all depressed that their life is spiralling out of control.

get back your control and cut the credit card now, maybe the world wouldn’t be in such a financial mess if we all stayed within our budgets?

Here’s a handy tip – eat out only in REALLY good, upmarket restaurants. The portions they serve (and the bill) will keep you honest …you may need your credit card though :-)