First time eating out since banding...

[deleteme 176]

My Dad is on town visiting and the kids decided we were going to Red Robin for dinner. Red Robin, where I would previously inhale a Bacon Cheeseburger and fries. Please note they also have bottomless fries. I often took advantage of that option. Along with the burger I would also have 2-3 refills on my beloved Diet Coke.

So tonight...I order a Water to drink, but push it to the side to abide by the 30 minutes rule. When my sandwich arrived I promptly cut it in half and peeled off 1 half of the bun. I ate 1, yes 1, fry. I ate the majority of the half of my sandwich, but stopped when I felt satisfied. It was hard to fight my head and the notion that I must clean my plate. That was always the "rule" growing up, if you take it, you eat it all.

It was so nice to walk away and not feel stuffed. I could also eat with family and not feel weird about it. I feel like this was a good mental turning point for me.

When I got home I weighed myself...I still weigh exactly the same amount that I did this morning, previously I would have gained at least a pound if not more.

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[aviva1979 375]

Yay! Great job - way to be!!

[Sharpie 3,306]

I have eaten at Red Robin a few times. They have some good options to burgers on their menu.. their chicken tortilla Soup is great.. they also have wraps ... I think you did great... eating out isn't as difficult as I thought it would be, just making good choices and Portion Control are the key...

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

eating one meal wont make one gain (weight)

one has to eat like that constantly....so your meal sounds wonderful (not sure what bottomless fries are, is that fries with hot sauce?) but anyhow, like my friend sharp pointed out exactly, eat what you want, let the band use Portion Control and dont fret over eating......if you think the high fat/high cals were alot, so what, do better eating today..

[parisshel 1,892]

Well done! I remember my apprehension with my first restaurant post band. I was so pleased that 1) I ate according to bandster rules and 2)Nothing got stuck. Obviously the two are related!

Remember when restaurant experiences were so....awful? Because in front of that delicious menu, you felt so powerless? Either you stuck to your diet and felt empty and deprived, or you said to yourself "Oh heck, YOLO" and felt horrible the next day, as well as fatter.

Grateful to my band for whispering to me each and every meal. My life is no longer like that. Eating at home or at a restaurant, I listen to my band and it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

[alm73 8]

If I go out to eat, I will ask the waiter/ress to bring me a To-Go box when they bring my food. I find that if I box up most of it right away, and only leave a small portion to eat now, it helps me tremendously. Maybe this will help others too. Good job @ Red Robin! I'm not ready to walk in there yet. Haha.

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[hockeymother 178]

Good for you. That is the hardest struggle EVER!!!! But you did it, and the more you do it, it becomes habit and just becomes part of your life. I still sit and watch my husband wolf down chicken wings, pizza, and every other food that made me fat. And believe me its still a struggle but well worth it. When you jump on the scale and it continuously goes down, that's when feel that all struggles were worth it. Keep up the great work.

[Pittsburgher 261]

My first meal at a restaurant was parmeasaun (spelling) crusted fish 140 cals and delish and a side of mash potatoes.

I also used to eat at red robin and yes bottomless fries mmm...(they are endless fries, yes the basket keeps coming back filled with more)