Your best friend calls asking to meet up and go to dinner, your family member reaches out reminding you about a birthday party, your neighbor sends you an invite to a neighborhood barbecue… and all these invitations lead to one thought. ‘I can’t go because I have to stay on track.’ Well, that’s not the case anymore! That thought is WRONG. Yes, staying on track is important, and yes it can be difficult sometimes to find meals outside of your own home that follows your program to a T. BUT. It’s possible!! And I’m here to tell you how.
We all love that exciting adventure of getting dolled up. We sometimes crave an excuse to dress nicely and go out for some fun. And just as important as staying on track is, your mental health is right there next to it! It’s important to make time for those loved ones in your life, and sometimes that requires you to be away from your kitchen, and away from your program. But it doesn’t have to be impossible.
So here are some tips and tricks to help you stay on track and keep fun in your life at the same time!
Water is your best friend!
Drinking water constantly may get bland and boring but next time you go out to eat, try adding some fruit to your water. By adding lemons, limes, oranges, strawberries, even grapes to your water, you may even end up drinking more than you think. When we consume processed or sugary drinks, it doesn’t benefit our bodies in any way and can even cause weight gain for a multitude of reasons. Water on the other hand is our best friend and the benefits are endless. To name a few, water can help fill you up, increase energy levels, and last but definitely not least, water can help aid in weight loss! Drinking enough water is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. Adding a piece of fruit to your water and some mint leaves will make your water feel like a yummy cocktail!
Fill up on Protein and Veggies
When eating out at a restaurant try to aim for salads that have lots of vegetables, and request olive oil as your dressing. I love squeezing a lemon on top for a healthy boost of flavor! If possible, fuel your body with lean protein by adding grilled chicken or salmon -be sure it’s not heavily seasoned though. If salad isn’t an option, or you’re not feeling it for dinner - go for a grilled chicken or salmon as your main course… If possible ask for light or no seasoning as these can cause you to consume unnecessary calories and sodium. You can flavor the chicken and salmon with a nice wedge of lemon and a pinch of salt yourself! Now, don’t worry I’m not going to tell you to eat anything but chicken, throw in a side of delicious and filling vegetables!! Try your best to stay away from vegetables cooked in butter - as that won’t help you, and may hurt your goals!! So ask the waiter/waitress how the vegetables are cooked and opt-in for oil or a steamed option if possible!
Order Your Meal Before Everyone Else
Other people can influence our decisions, and we don’t even realize it! Research showed that in social situations, people tend to mimic each other subconsciously, and dining out is no exception. People’s menu choices and eating behaviors can be highly influenced by the choices of other people at the table. If you’re eating with a group that is likely to order something that doesn’t fit into your healthy eating plan, make sure you order first. I go one step further and check out the menu prior to leaving for the restaurant and make my choice ahead of time!
Love your Routine!
Now, I know you can’t or won’t always be able to access a kitchen, BUT, you can stay on track by prepping it beforehand. If you’re going to a friend's house, family event, or a neighborhood barbecue, regardless of what it is, prep whatever meal you should have eaten at that time and bring it with you!! It may be a little bit more time-consuming, but the goals that you’ve worked so hard for, aren’t worth saving the time and eating that cheeseburger or hotdog! You can even utilize the ingredients that are used in the program when you’re out at a restaurant as well!! These ingredients can help guide you to pair items together to create a meal that is similar to your program!
Look at you staying on track, eating out with friends, and truly LIVING your BEST life!
These tips and tricks allow you to benefit from weight loss, inflammation, and hormone balance, while also allowing you to still live a life filled with good food, fun times, and a ton of memories.
