Dinner Out...Help!

[Hugentobler]

My husband is up for Police officer of the year, and we have to attend a banquet on Feb. 23rd. I am trying develop a plan on how to handle the dinner. I know there will be Chicken/roast beef and veggies. I just don't know how it will be prepared (i.e. butter). The salad is already tossed with dressing so I've ruled that out. I plan on keeping my hands busy with my water glass. I'll be okay to skip the appetizers and dessert. So, I just need a plan on how to handle the dinner and make smart choices in the buffet line. I'm in week 2 of my journey and my willpower is good ( I survived a Superbowl party!). Any ideas?

[GailStout]

First, VERY WELL DONE on surviving a Super Bowl party!!!

Second, VERY WELL DONE to your husband for being named Police Officer of the Year!

Third, VERY WELL DONE to you for supporting him so he COULD be named Police Officer of the Year (for we all know he couldn't have done it without you!)

NOW to the problem: During the middle of my own 1PD journey, my husband had a full week in a five-star hotel for a major conference (at which he was a speaker, VIP, etc. etc.)...there was a major banquet to which I had to go as "...and his lovely wife" :-) What I did was contact the caterer! (Really!). I told them what I could eat, and gave them several options from my diet (beef, chicken, etc. and the weights required). I ended up having a beautifully presented piece of grilled beef tenderloin, grilled asparagus and a spinach salad with balsalmic vinegar -- brought to me by the chef himself (who'd been flown in from London to prepare the banquet!) -- while everyone else went through a buffet line.

Don't hesitate to ask! MOST CHEFS ARE QUITE PLEASED to be able to do something "different"! (Also be ready with a special tip for the caterer/chef). It's worth it to stay on track!

I spent an entire week in a five star hotel and when I got home I was still on track!

KEEP GOING! You're doing GREAT!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Hugentobler & Gailstout

Wow Gail, what an excellent example - thank you so much for sharing this...

You are so right - most people know that when you are on diet you need all the help and support you can get and so they are very willing to help {goodjob}

Hugentobler - what Gail did was very, very wise indeed, she did not end up feeling deprived, but rather she felt like the bell of the ball...

Remember you could ask them for a kiwi fruit starter... just ask for specific portion sizes of chicken breast and salad... you can sip your diet soda and later have another fruit for desert such as mango...

The big key is planning - if you phone the caterers or ask the organiser to do so on your behalf, you will end up with special treatment because they will be on your side!

Another tip, focus your attention on wearing something really nice and looking really great...

If you are unable to do the above and if your foods are not weighed and prepared properly, a setback will be unavoidable but, you can still choose to MINIMISE THE SETBACK... by making smart eating choices ie: only eat foods that are on your program - even if the quantities not 100% eating chicken breast will still be much better than having a burger for example.

Hopefully be eating wise your setback will not be as big... But, I still recommend phoning the caterer - Gail's idea is a winning one! :clapping:

WELL DONE to you and your hubby - I do hope that the two of you will have a beautiful and memorable evening together!!! :love:

[Hugentobler]

Thank you for the advice. I will call today to find out the menu. I'm hoping by Feb. 23rd that I can fit into my little black dress. If not....Control top panyhose. Thanks for the support.

[GailStout]

I have one word for you: ENJOY! One of the best things about the diet is that you realize that there are many other ways to enjoy an evening besides EATING!

(And control top pantyhose work REALLY well!)

[Hugentobler]

Thank you. I will enjoy some alone time with my honey....along with the other 100 people that will be there.http://www.1pdforum.com/images/smilies/1.gif

[Shasha]

{rofl} Control top pantyhose...
{rofl} ENJOY IT WHILE YOU STILL CAN
{rofl} YOU WON'T BE NEEDING THAT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR!!! {rofl}

[GailStout]

On control top pantyhose -- even after a year, I DO use it (but only when I want to wear the size 4 pants instead of the size 6)...so look forward to having your "fat pants" be a size 6 :-)

KEEP GOING!