How to dine out without giving up

The day started EARLY yesterday. Hubby (who I will now refer to as Mr. Nut) had an early morning meeting so we were up at 6. Definately not my choice, but that's the schedule. I could decide to sleep through it, but breakfast is always a great boost for our marriage and it keeps me sharp to focus on getting to sleep on time and staying on a routine.

Also, today was out of the ordinary in many other ways. I needed to start my first workout early so I would have time to shower and head to lunch with Mr. Nut and work friends. Those crazy freaks like to eat lunch at around 11 so I needed time to prep and drive into town.

This brings me to our topic of the day-how to dine out without giving up on your goals. Honestly, I think most people KNOW how to eat properly when they go out for lunch, they just make a choice NOT to, then cover it up with false logic that the menus are confusing, there aren't any good options out there, dining out is ALWAYS going to be unhealthy, then they have an excuse to eat crap without feeling guilty! I'll give you 4 words to think about next time you're out at ANY restaurant: chicken, fish, vegetables, salad. C'mon people, you know this, it isn't rocket science! The issue here is WILLPOWER. Of course a lasagna smothered in cheesey sauce tastes better than chicken with a side of broccoli, but if you were at home would you EVER make a processed carb lasagna with fatty meat and a pound of cheese??? For your sake I hope not! When you're eating properly your meals are small, clean and frequent. A chicken breast with vegetable and marinara, whole wheat pasta, turkey burgers, oatmeal, fruit, etc. These things do exist when you go out to eat, they're just the least appetizing when you compare them next to pizzas, french fries, big cheesy burgers, and creamy, cheesy, fatty sauces! But you have goals, so stop and think about them for just a minute before you order and you'll see how ridiculous it is to even consider stuffing yourself with crap food just because it's there. Have a little self control with your glass of water!

So what did I eat? We went for middle eastern, so I opted for a very flavorful, VERY tender chicken kabob with zucchini and lentil salad as sides. All around me people were downing gyro platters (I ADORE gyro meat) but it's like a lamb meatloaf, full of fatty meat and fillers (which is why it tastes so darn good) but is so bad for you. It didn't fit my requirements so it didn't make the plate. It's that simple. And if you're worried about your willpower, give yourself a boost. Most restaurants at LEAST have a menu online, if not nutritional information. Look ahead of time when you're not hungry and make the smart decision before you ever enter the restaurant. Then it won't matter what your stomach is saying, your brain has already made the smart decision.

Feel the burn (workouts):
#1-combination between yoga, plyometrics and core work

#2-Yoga (I've had enough of downward dog for QUITE a while now, thank you!) My flexibility has increased so dramatically though it is amazing. My seated hamstring stretches are out of this world. I'm using yoga blocks because I can already reach my heels and I need something further to reach for. The rest of me isn't quite so flexible but we're working on it.

#3-Body Combat at the gym. You know you're doing something right when you jab or throw an elbow and sweat goes flying! People are so ridiculous about these classes, they take them waaaay too seriously. I try hard to throw down and have good form, especially in a fight class, but some people were grunting, yelling, and even wearing hand wraps. This isn't the octagon people, we're just here for the calorie burn. Let it go!

Delicious dish (what I ate):
Breakfast: whole wheat english muffin with smart balance, low fat swiss, 1 egg, sugar free jam, and iced coffee with mootopia.

Snack: Smoothie with banana, mootopia and sugar free yogurt

Lunch: chicken kabob, lentil salad, zucchini

Snack: can of tuna fish with light mayo and 1 slice of double fiber wheat toast

Dinner: turkey burger with a side of lemon dill green beans

The final score:
Calories burned- 2512
Calories consumed- 1610
Deficit: 902

Nutrient ratio: 38C/34P/28F

Stay tuned for tomorrow's lesson-the jogger, the sun, and the holy suncreen