Sorry I've not been online in a couple days!! I opted to go ahead and eat my favorite and just get a half portion,but they have two new great meals only 400+ calories each. They were some type of kabobs. I think one was shrimp one was chicken. They looked great too. Hope dinner was a success and not too much pressure

incorporate your food into your sf menu planner.  Forget Dessert!  Just have coffee or tea.  Aim to be strong.  You need to help yourself! 

A slight sensitive tooth or queezy stomach fib might hold off their questioning. If you don't feel comfortable with that eat a bit before hand and get something small. When they ask just let them know that you ate pretty late in the day and are not really that hungry :)

I think I might keep that in mind tomorrow I am going to go out with some family that I have not seen in a long time the only thing that I am worried about is that this my very older family members my grandmother the younges at 68.  And well there not big on the whole dieting thing. I half to keep it secret where I get my recipes from my granfather because he thinks it rediculos. Unforntly I did not get the skinny gene like he did but he can't quite understand that. They will get drinks first which I won't do at all because I half to drive 80 miles round trip. Then well go to a restuarant I am pushing for applebees because I know how to be good there. But then dessert and that's where the problem will come in. I will want to say no then they will start in with the younger generation depriving themselves and well there will be the end of a good day.  Oh what to do.

So glad it worked out for you:) Mac Grill is  my favorite place ever! Good to know still going there every once in a while is an option.

WE had a great time! My husband and daughter(31/2) ordered what they wanted ....and so did I. The waitress suggested the chef put half directly into a to go container and just bring me half. I thought that was a great idea. I almost couldn't even finish half! lol  I didn't go over my cals but I guess I went over my fats by a tiny bit doing it that way. But it was one day and ....drum roll please I did my first weigh in today and lost 3 lbs in my first week. That sure does give incentive to continue. The only thing I don't like about some of the suggested meals is that they don't break down the items. So if it's a lunch and it has a meal bar/half sand and a banana. You can't see which cals go to what it's all together. So I've put in the items seperately and make up my own meals and make sure it's within all the limits on the chart totals(excluding yesterday...hahah)

i guess for me the whole idea is to stick with something reasonable i can do at home or out.  but this is your special occaision and you should be happy.  but i definately think its good to do the drinks during the day.  have a great time AND GOOD LUCK!   

Thanks but not getting to order what I really want at Macaroni grill would suck!!! I'm just going to do a drink for lunch and breakfast and  get what I want and only eat half. I can make fish and chicken at home. lol  I am mew and cant figure out how to add a buddy but sure I will be a buddy w/ya! Thanks for the insight.

i would have my two sf drinks during the day.  and two sf snacks in between.  well i cant speak for everyone, but  if i were going for italian, i would say no bread on the table from the start!  i know its hard to do!  but if it means saving your diet, then perhaps you can try!  start off with a big tossed salad and have the light italian dressing.  then i would order some chicken dish and eat half (i figure that restaurants usually give you two b reast portions when they serve dinner) so i would have one b reast portion along with whatever vegetable they serve.  if you are going to have a side order of spaghetti with sauce, then perhaps you can fit that on your menu planner as well.  drink lots of water at the table, although i do have one or two diet sodas (which is not the best idea they say- i am not a saint!) and leave out the appetizer and dessert.  

this is what i would do, and may not work for everyone.  i wish you sucess eating out at the restaurant.  just fit it all into your menu planner here and you should be ok!  GOOD LUCK!  

and btw....... Happy Anniversary!!!!      

I just started the sf plan last Thursday. Wed night is my anniverssary and my hubby wants to go out to eat. I just checked Chilis and macaroni grills calorie charts. Most of what I would want for a meal(that I couldn't cook at home) is 1300 if not more a dish!!! Should I just drink water all day long so I can havae what I want for dinner? I know the answer is no but I just didn't see anything I would want at an italian rrestaurant that is less than 1300 cals. HELP!!!  I don't want to cheat in my first week I really need to lose this. Also the sodium was outrageous on their suite everything had like over 1000mg.What if I had a shake for luch and dinner360 and then I would still be over if I ate out what I wanted. Oh  I get what you just wrote. If I eat only half then it's only half the cals....hmmm

ge I may havae already gotten my answer from you!lol