Discussion Board

Julie, your friends are going to love you regardless of what you eat when you go out. Or even whether you eat when you go out. They want you there because of you, not because of the food being served. Choose to eat food that will make you feel good not just at that moment, but also for tomorrow.

I'm not familiar with Chipotle or Moe's but there is NOTHING at Panera that fits this way of eating. I scoured their website and the only thing you could do there is get a plain salad and take your own dressing. Subway you can create a McDougall friendly sandwich, but it would not be MWL.

As for your appetite when you go out, eat before you go, eat until you're full. Then have a "snack" at the restaurant. I always carry my own salad dressing and sometimes even other salad add-ons, garbanzo beans, greek peppers, red onions. . . . If nothing else I can order a salad, be VERY specific about what is not to be on that salad, including no dressing and then basically build my own salad. I can get a plain baked potato. If the skin looks like it's been oiled simply don't eat it. I'll put my no-oil dressing on the baked potato and I'm ready to go. For a huge appetite order 2 baked potatoes. If I go someplace that all the salads include some kind of meat, chicken, shrimp, etc I just order the chicken on the side and let someone else have it with their meal or take it to my friend's dog. Yes, I'm paying for food I'm not eating, but I'd rather that than pay with my health.

I'm not even going to get into movie popcorn. You KNOW you cannot and should not eat movie popcorn. It is evil. You just must learn to say NO. It smells good, it looks good, that crunch sounds good - ALL designed to make you weak enough to say yes. They want you to say yes. That's why they can charge such outrageous prices for their poison. They make billions of dollars on the people who say, "I can't resist it." Don't sabotage your health while making them rich.

I strongly suggest you read "The Pleasure Trap" and "The Food Seduction" to help you understand how manufacturers have purposely created foods that you can't resist and can't limit.

The fact that you lost weight when you moved away and gained it all back when you returned seems to suggest that you're allowing others to influence your choices. You must be strong and I think you might want to have a serious heart-to-heart chat with those who care about you. Ask for their support, in fact, insist on it. And keep the mental thought that you are in their presence for the friendship and companionship, not for the food. The food is just the excuse to get together, the restaurant just a place to gather.

I have a group outing coming up in August, in all places, Las Vegas! It's a steakhouse called N9NES in The Palms. It's also with a group of friends I have known for 30 years. I know I will be razzed when I do not partake in what they are eating. It's going to be fried rock shrimp and oyster on the half shell for appetizers and soup or salad before dinner with unlimited bread. Dinner doesn't get any easier, it's filet mignon, a ribeye or porthouse. As for the sides, mac and cheese, lobster mashed potatoes and roasted mushrooms and caramelized onions. I have been looking over the menu and these is nothing that doesn't have oil or fat in it. I know I will be locked in for at least $120 regardless of if I eat or not.

Just because I am eating differently I know I will still have fun with this group. If that means eating something acceptable before we go to dinner, so be it. As for the chain restaurants, I used to be a big lover of Chipotle, they even serve brown rice now, but their burrito bombs are not any better, even if it's the vegetarian. Same goes with Subway with the oil in the bread. In a pinch and starving I would hit either of these places, but your case, I would pass them by for now.

Last comment on exercise, you might buy a pedometer and see how many daily steps you take. You might be surprised at how much you walk during the day. I try to get 10000 steps in a day. I don't always make it, but do try to increase that step count each day. There was recent article on how much exercise is needed. I believe the number was 22 minutes. Their example, walk 11 minutes, eat lunch and walk back. Exercise done.

Keep with it. Many here offer great suggestions and wonderful support.

Do you get breaks at work? Walk around. Even better, does you're building have stairs? Walk the stairs. Nobody is saying you have to go to a gym, you just need to move your body.

As for movie popcorn, we always loved it too. Which is why we now airpop our own (no butter, oil, or salt) and a bring it with us. If they try to tell you not to bring outside food in, just tell them you have dietary restrictions and can't eat what they sell.

They have to give you a lunch hour at your job so eat your lunch in 15 minutes time and then walk the rest of the time. You may be able to work 60 hours a week now but this is not a sustainable way to live. Your health will suffer and you'll burn out. I think you said you just want to eat and eat. This is about more than food and suggests a food addiction or emotional issue. Maybe some therapy is in order ?

We sometimes go to a submarine sandwich shop and order a
veggie wrap without the mayo--mustard only and have them leave off the cheese - and no oil just vinegar.
we also go to chipotle's mexican fast food place and order their burrito bowl without the sour cream and without the cheese.

Oh, I love this.

Great responses in this thread from folks much more experienced than I am with this program. I'm *just* getting momentum, and I really appreciate your giving voice to some of my same concerns.

I also just started reading the MWL book: it's fantastic. I'm finding myself very motivated and inspired after reading it!

Also, regarding exercise, this is really my weak area. The times I've done it consistently (for several months at a time) I usually did it first thing in the morning. After a couple of weeks or so, it became something I missed if I didn't get it in. Most days I was either walking on a treadmill or riding a fan bike (gets the arms involved!) for only 25-30 minutes--nothing too intense, but I always felt great after and for the rest of the day.

Here's a fun thread on healthy popcorn. I actually love it plain and "air-popped" (microwaved) this way.

I look forward to hearing about your progress on all fronts. I can feel that you've got the motivation! I do, too. Now we just need a plan and some follow-through!

Just an FYI - we used to love Chipotle too until we found out they put oil in EVERYTHING, including the brown rice and guacamole.

oh my gosh thanks for that info! i did not know!

Like sweetpea says, if you exercise regularly it becomes a habit. I think I read that if you do something 21 times you've established a habit. I may not always like doing it but if i skip it I feel sluggish and out of sorts so I can not do without my daily exercise.

Exercise is marvelous! . When you exercise, you increase your circulation and your blood flow throughout your body. The components of your immune system are also better circulated, which means your immune system has a better chance of finding an illness before it spreads.

I read through this whole thread...I can relate to your issues..I have been there before, but the bottom line is...you really have to want to do this plan for life to make it work...Step back and take a good look inside...are you ready to commit?....because until you are..all the advice and ideas in the world are not going to matter...You know what you have to do...you just have to do it...it's hard..I fell off many times before finally being so disgusted with myself, I just stopped the nonsense..and did what I had to do....Please don't take this reply as criticism ..it's not...I wish you much success...and FYI I eat very plainly now...mostly, potatoes, and veggies, and some fruit....there is no need to cook a lot, if you don't like too..as far as eating out....Wendy's, or Subway are my choices for FF....Wendy's has plain baked potatoes, and side salads....and you can get an All veggie sub on Whole wheat(the bread might not be 100% on plan, but it is a much better choice than eating something loaded with oil or fat)....most Chinese restaurants can give you steamed veggies with rice...just ask for no oil.

YES. You absolutely don't need to adhere to the MWL principles for success in this program. Read (or re-read) McDougall's book 12 Days to Dynamic Health, which came out before his MWL book, for examples and inspiration.

I've had great luck on the regular program, too. Works for many people.
f1jim