May I See Your Low-Fat Menu Please

We as normal people enjoy a night out on the town from time to time. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle doesn't  mean that you can't enjoy yourself, it just means that you have to look a little harder for a healthier option. Take tonight for example, the wife and kids decided they wanted to go out to eat for dinner. Naturally the kids want all the greasy stuff that isn't good for you and after a fun game of "What do you want? I don't know, what do you want?" we decided on Red Robin(more like the kids decided). Now if you're not familiar with Red Robin, it is a "gourmet" burger place. During my less than healthy days I'd always go with the Burn'n Love burger. MMM so good, nice and spicy with those fried jalapenos on it.

Now just because I have decided to live a healthier life, that doesn't mean that I can't have the things I enjoy anymore. If I were to have a craving for a Burn'n Love burger I'd just eat half and save the rest for lunch for tomorrow. This is always a great way to still enjoy a great meal out without overeating and consuming almost an entire days worth of calories in one sitting. These portion sizes that these restaurants are dishing out are ridiculous. Some of these meals literally have well over 2000 calories in one dish. Holy sweet mother of Neptune! The crazy thing is that we just sit back and chow down without even thinking about it. If you have a smart phone, which I believe most people do, try looking up a meal that your considering on the restaurant website for the nutritional content. This could help you decide on either what to eat, or how much of it you're going to eat.

Another great way to treat yourself is, if you decide you want to drink a soda (or pop for you weirdos in the north), try ordering a glass of water as well. You might find yourself drinking out of both and thus drinking less of that sugar filled soda of choice. Now for you beer drinkers out there you could try the same thing, but if you're like me you would feel like you're wasting a good beer if you don't finish it. So when the waitress/waiter asks if you want the tall 22oz, politely decline and just opt for the regular 12oz. You could also use this as a great way to test your will power and quit drinking alcoholic beverages all together. I hear all of the time from people "wow I've lost 10lbs just from not drinking beer or soda." Soda and beer are empty calories that provide nothing in nutritional value, but man are they refreshing.

Some restaurants now are even jumping on the healthy lifestyle bandwagon and offering lower calorie meals or half portions. I say great! Check your menus for these options and see if any of it tickles your tongue. Just remember that you CAN still eat out and enjoy a nice healthy meal, so go out and reward yourself on a great week in the kitchen and in the gym. Just remember that reward doesn't mean binge and forget all about portion sizes. Either way, enjoy your rewards and get ready for a new week of achieving greatness.