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Preparing For Restaurant Eating

Preparing For Restaurant Eating

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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17 Comments

  1. Gemma

    I just came across your blog the other day – you are a total inspiration to me!!

    I am so impressed with your ability to just roll with whatever was going on, and still make smart choices. I’m such an all-or-nothing girl, I’d have used the change in plans as an excuse to just eat whatever….

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks for reading, Gemma!

      It was a learning process for me to figure out how to be more flexible and not just say “eff it I’ll eat whatever I want.” Having come so far, I’m reluctant to just go hog-wild.

  2. Definediana

    I’ve never thought to estimate calories if the website doesn’t offer nutritional information. I am going to try that next time I go out.

    I hate asking for a to go box up front. I feel so weird about that. I just don’t know how to get over it.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I felt super weird asking for a box. If it was just Michael and me I wouldn’t but it was his family too. It was awkward but I was determined to eat a portion only –not a restaurant double portion! It turned out to not be an issue.

      1. michelle

        why in the world would they not give you a box? seems like an odd response from a restaurant. I guess next time you have to bring your own tupperware! 🙂

        1. Lisa Eirene

          They wouldn’t because it was Happy Hour, most restaurants have that rule.

          1. michelle

            But why would it make a difference if it was happy hour or not is what confuses me. Too busy to stop and get a box or do they feel their portions aren’t big enough to warrant a take home box? Would they rather see the food wasted? Curious!

          2. Lisa Eirene

            I think the reason is more financial. They don’t want people coming in, buying a bunch of $1-3 dollar items and taking them home. They want people to stay in the bar, order more food and more drinks, spend more money.

  3. Lisa

    I’m pretty sure if I could remove the phrase “eff it” from my mental vocabulary I would be a lot thinner by now 🙂 I’m like Gemma…if anything changes, different restaurant, bar seating only, whatever, I used it as an excuse to go hog-wild.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      It is very easy to be derailed. But I went in there last night with a plan. And I’m such a weirdo that once there’s a “Plan” I can stick to it. I don’t really deviate.

  4. Carbzilla

    I think you did great, but I have to agree with Michelle on the box thing. What if you suddenly weren’t feeling well and wanted to take it home? Unless the menu says that Happy Hour food is not available for take-out, I just don’t get it. Not jumping on you at all, but there are just so many instances where a customer might require a box that her argument is just absurd.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      I can see both points. It wasn’t a big deal either way because the happy hour size was a proper portion. But yeah it would be nice to be able to take it home if I wanted to.

  5. Ella

    Greetings from China!!!!!

    Lisa ,Ni Hao

    Love your blog and your attitude of life! It inspired me a lot. I’ll come visit you frequently.

    I love sports. Yoga, Pilates, Climbing,Badminton..etc. Just can’t live a day without sports — Not very usual in China , LOL. Juts start to like swimming recently, and i’m sure i’ll find a lot of valuable info from your web.

    All that I want now is to lose 5kg and keep healthy:)

    Jia You!!!! (come on)

  6. Kristin

    I used to occasionally get really frustrated in restaurants because they seemed to have everything drenched in butter, cream and oil. Once I had a baby fit because the only sides for a sandwich I wanted were fries or potato salad and the refused to sub a green salad. Not my proudest moment. But now I have been marathon training (like forever) and I try to work restaurant meals into long run days and pretty much have anything. I still occasionally get in a snit…recently I had a salad at lunch and I couldn’t believe how small it was. I like a great pile of greens and lots of veggies. I am hating this eggplant shortage! I had to buy Japanese eggplant at $7.99 a pound because I was making a veg curry for my book club and didn’t want to change my plans. It was the only eggplant in town. 🙁

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Portland restaurants are usually pretty good about salads and veggies. Now that I know there’s an eggplant shortage I want eggplant!!

  7. Alan (Pounds Off Playoff)

    Terrific advice, Lisa. Impulsivity and letting my guard down are two of my classic restaurant traps. I’ll try planning my order ahead and see how it goes.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Let me know if it works for you!

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