Question

I'm new to this group and WW. It has been a tough start and I've gone over points each day. Also my husband and I went out to dinner last night and I ate WAY more than I should of. How do you handle going out to eat and still enjoying your meal? To even come close to meeting my points I would have had to eat like a small salad haha. I hope this is an ok question for this group!  

Answer 1

Order what you want and ask for a Togo box and put half in as soon as it comes. You enjoy your meal and don’t over do it

Answer 2

I plan before I go. I make sure the restaurant is in the app and I choose before I get there and stick to it :)

Answer 3

For future tips. if i go out i save my weeklies (35) plus eat much less day before and after, then on the meal itself i have exactly what i want. Youll probably over compensate and lose more that week this way I also halve things like chips as soon as it arrives

Answer 4

When I have a dinner out, I plan out my points for the day to adjust for my dinner. I don't use my Weekly points (44) during the week, either, so they help offset for a restaurant meal. I also look at the menu online before we go to see what I might want and the point value.  

Answer 5

Plan ahead, prep food . menus, . it's doable.  

Answer 6

Beginning is hard, just take 1 minute at a time. you’re doing great! As for meals out I always have to predecide like the day before what I will have where I go and to eat more zero points through the day to save for my meal. Decide, track and enjoy it’s a life change.  

Answer 7

I'm sure you did better than if you weren't doing WW. Each day is a new beginning, we have days/weeks like this Good luck

Answer 8

Plan ahead. If the restaurant has a website, look there to plan what you will eat I also always take my own salad dressing to save points.  

Comments

@angelitaangell great idea

Answer 9

Just learning how many points are in things and tracking are great ways to get started. Don't worry about it, use your new knowledge and tips from this page to form a plan to lower your points each day. It gets easier as you develop better eating habits, you crave less junk and you have better portion control which results in weight loss!  

Answer 10

One of the main reasons we are all on WW is due to us not managing our eating at home and while eating out. We can all make good choices at restaurants, we may not be able to get our favorites but we can still enjoy. Get grilled meat/seafood, steamed vegetables, salad with light dressing on the side. Sadly, most of us have to sacrifice many of our favorites to lose the weight we want to lose. Good luck to you!  

Comments

@guenther Yes, this is true. It’s all about changing your lifestyle. So learning to like and enjoy fish out is (relatively) new for me. Restaurants make it in so many creative ways, way more than I can do at home. I’ve been WW for more than 20 years. Probably in the last 6, I’ve learned to try to enjoy fish out. Now if I could only learn not to like Pasta! Also,  lots of empty calories. Sometimes it’s easier just to give it up for a bit to save calories.  

Answer 11

I plan before I go, I usually get grilled chicken salads with dressing on the side, I dont go over very often and if I do it's not by much. Another trick is to eat zero point foods before u go to save points and not go starving

Answer 12

I have 1 "cheat" meal every week on our Friday date night. During the week I don't use my activity points or weeklies, so I don't imagine I go over my weekly points. If I didn't do that, I'm not sure I would still be able to do this.  

Comments

@sibilate same! I never use activity points and don’t use my weeklies until my night out- and I always plan ahead for that meal!  

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@sibilate Also after a big night out (or preferably before) exercise. Go for a long walk, do cardio, something positive as opposed to just limiting things.  

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@warrenwarrener absolutely! I work out 6 days a week, 2 with a trainer who kicks my butt. My hardest day is Friday, so I get to feel virtuous or the hard work and decadent for the no-points counted meal. Best of both worlds!  

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@angelitaangell take it slow and easy. If you have little or no experience, check with your doc first. Walk, do sit down- stand ups, just move. It takes time and patience. I've been a gym rat for years, but got out of the routine for several years.  

Answer 13

Well, other than planning your meal in advance. When I was on program many years ago, our coach told us to order your meal, ask for a to go box to be brought before the meal arrives, then put half in the box. Hope that may help all

Answer 14

My Valentine’s Day meal. 51 points!  no joke. wine is my nemesis!  It was the first time I have ever done anything like that since I started WW 4 months ago. Makes me realize why I HAD to start WW in the first place. That was my my norm! But. back on track now! honestly if I deprived myself completely, I might not stay on track. One bad cheat day Every few months won’t kill us right? ‍♀️ Hang in there! We can do this!  

Comments

@prissie96 don’t call it “CHEAT “. Why would you spend good money  to CHEAT on losing weight? You are sabotaging yourself! This isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle change and needs positive attitude- not one going into thinking of ways to cheat ?  

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@overlong11 geesh. sorry to offend.  I’ll just zip it from now on. thx for putting me in my place tho. Best wishes to all on this WW journey!  

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@prissie96 don't worry about the nasty comments, keep doing what works for you, I've learned in the meetings, its ok to splurge every now and then, as long as you track everything you will get back on track. Chicken wings are my downfall and I will eat them anytime I get a chance, when I have my weight might stay the same or I gain a few oz, but I tracked them. I hope you enjoyed your valentine's meal. Keep on tracking and stay positive.  

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@prissie96 if you want to look at it that way. Sorry you don’t have a positive outlook when people are trying to help you:(

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@antonetta384 there was no nasty comments at all. Just the truth of the program ✅

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@prissie96 I have a cheat day every Saturday! And yes I used the word cheat! Don’t lecture people on here! It’s a turn off! Cheat day works for me! I lost 45 lbs by cheating every Saturday! Everybody should do what works for them! You go overboard tomorrow is a new day!  

Answer 15

This is an open book group, Ellen.  

Answer 16

You learn to change your behaviors. I may order something and split it with my husband. I order and automatically get a box and take half home. Many times i look at menu before i go, so i know what to order. I try to get in a workout and eat a low point breakfast and lunch. It takes practice. Sometimes i do great, other times, not so much, lol. You do the best you can.  

Answer 17

Focus on zero point foods! When I know I am going out to dinner, I look at the menu on line and decide what I am going to have and put that in my tracker and then just work back from there for the day. I always bring my own dressing too in a very small Tupperware in my purse- skinny girl balsamic is zero points. You’ve got this! Good luck!  

Comments

@mica3 And don’t be afraid to say No oil/Butter on veggies or steak. Restaurant sneak so much fat into items.  

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@abbess91 they sure are! I like poppyseed!  

Answer 18

Look up your points on the app in the restaurant section BEFORE you go and you will be less likely to spiral out of control ✔️! ✅ We have dailies, weeklies, rollovers and fit points! It is plenty if you plan ahead.  

Answer 19

Enjoy your meal. If you know you are going for a special dinner or outing just be careful about points during the week and tack on those extra points that you accumulate during the week then. Count points and drink water will get you back down. You can always bring half home with you to enjoy the next day. We do that too

Answer 20

In the old days, WW used to teach people how to handle meals at restaurants: one slice of bread and move the bread basket away from you and as soon as your meal arrives divide it in half and either have the rest wrapped, or just have it thrown away. Restaurants over-feed us.  

Comments

@thornhill55278 Yes, and these are still very good tips. Putting half the meal in a box before you start eating is more effective than eating all you want from a large plate and then taking home “leftovers”, after. Good for you for remembering.  

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@angelitaangell I never hear about these "tricks" in meetings anymore! They used to tell us in meetings how to handle holidays, cravings, even Halloween!  

Answer 21

I tend to take out lemon juice, crackerbread, pot of 0% Greek yoghurt for mayo and a hot flask of my soya unsweetened for a latte. I go with grilled chicken or steak. I ask no butter or oil. And veg or tomatoes. Fruit for pud. So l can join in. I do tend to not bother and just have a green tea if we are out and about. A flask of ww soup often comes with me. And rice cakes. I find it easier to have breakfast or dinner out. Lunch l find tricky. X

Comments

@abase Good for you.  

Answer 22

Box up 1/2 immediately

Answer 23

I eat something at home before I go out. That way I don’t arrive at the restaurant hungry. I’ll order an appetizer or a salad for dinner. Still enjoying the time out but not over eating

Comments

@doak25 Or drink a bottle of water on the way to the restaurant.  

Answer 24

Appetizer and salad instead of dinner. or 2 appetizers.  

Answer 25

Thanks for this post. I’m going out tonight and just preplanned what I’m having. If I didn’t, I would have gone with my “favorite” things which would not have been helpful. Going to have mussels for an appetizer (rather than tomato mozzarella) and fish rather than PARPADELLE bolegnese.  

Answer 26

Plan ahead using the restaurant guide to choose your meal if possible. If not make safe choices like grilled chicken or fish with zero point veggies and salad. Dip your fork in salad dressing before each bite instead of pouring it all over the salad. You will use less that way.  

Answer 27

What plan are you on because if you’re hungry and you’re going over your points you need to switch to a different plan

Comments

@angelitaangell OK I think that is the one that you can have the most options with. If you really want to see a lot of different odds snacks you should go on a website called Pinterest and look up weight watchers recipes for maybe there are things in there that can be adjusted that you really like to snack on. That’s where I get a lot of my recipes

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@lousy green is high daily points but low amount of zero point foods.  

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I do the blue and have been losing weight pretty good in two weeks I’ve lost 10 pounds I like the blue because it has so many zero points that at the end of the day I still always have points left over and I am so full

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I was told I could switch any time. Because if I feel like I have too many points left over at the end of the day I could go to purple which gives me less points throughout the day . I was told that the green there was more options and the purple had less points throughout the day now I don’t think I could do the purple but I am always under on the blue. And I’ve been eaten very nice meals and I love the amount of snacks there are like it is apples and fresh fruit and vegetables and stuff but by the time you eat all them your full you may want to just switch it. Now I’m not sure if you have the website for it that that you can go onAnd just switch it on your phone

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@lousy I do blue too. You can switch plans but they ask you to stay on any plan for 2 weeks to give it a good try.  

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@warrenwarrener Yes I went back and told them I was just going to remain on the blue I’d rather have the extra points left at the end of the day then not enough points and feel like I’m hungry

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That and I’ve had a good outcome from it I mean 10 pounds in two weeks that’s pretty good

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@lousy yes 10 lbs is fabulous! Keep up the good work.  

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@warrenwarrener Thank you you can do it to

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@angelitaangell Good luck I’m sure you’ll do great and even if you have to change plans you won’t be sorry

Answer 28

We go out to eat a lot actually and it’s totally doable. 1. Check the menu online before you go, or search ww app for the restaurant and decide what you’re going to get before you go. Track it. 2. If there is no online menu (which is rare) go with grilled chicken or seafood, baked potato or sweet potato butter on the side, veggies. 3. If I know I’m going to get something higher in points I eat 0 point meals and snacks the rest of the day so I have plenty for my meal. 4. Ask for a box when the food gets to the table. Put half in the box. 5. Don’t be afraid to tell the server exactly what you want and how you want it prepared. No butter, dressing on the side.  

Answer 29

Many years ago i had a coworker that used to get her food and cut away what she was not going to eat while she still had the will power and open the pepper shaker and douse it with pepper so she could not change her mind I think maybe getting a takebout box from the start is a better method lol

Comments

I guess if you cant take it home ( traveling or it was an over the top treat to begin with )

Answer 30

When I order my dinner I ask the waitress to bring me a to go box. When my food arrives and before I start eating I put 1/2 in the box to take home. I am usually full and satisfied with that amount of food. If it’s on my plate I just keep eating.  

Answer 31

I love the restaurant part of the WW app. When we decide we're going out, I usually pull up the restaurant part of the app and we decide to go somewhere that I can eat within my points. I have had a cheat meal once in awhile, but this is the best way for me to stay on track. One thing I'm finding is that a lot of restaurants have healthier options now.  

Answer 32

I try to plan ahead for points that I may drink & eat. Then do ZERO POINT FOODS during that week and day! Yesterday was one I almost used ALL WEEKLIES - never do that BUT there was ITALIAN CREAM CSKE at a party that I  wasn’t expecting and IT WAS REALLY GOOD!  Needless to say today had to be on target! YIKES‼️WEIGH-IN TOMORROW ‼️‼️

Comments

@angelitaangell ABSOLUTELY! Do you know the Mexican Vegetable Soup with Verde Sauce in the WW APP MENU section? Outstanding tasty 0-pt soup! I’ve added a picture from one of the WW weekly meetings but it’s in the APP‼️ENJOY‼️ You can have 5 saltine crackers for 2 pts

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@autostrada just talked about this soup at our meeting this week.  

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@warrenwarrener I REALLY LIKE IT! I put only a can of black beans in it currently but might try the chicken at some point❣️And easy to make❣️

Answer 33

Use your weeklies that’s what they are for don’t feel guilty enjoy work it with your points

Answer 34

I’m on my way out to dinner. Reading this post with all the comments to stay strong!  

Answer 35

It takes time to make adjustments and realize just what we were eating! Stick with it!  

Answer 36

That’s what we are here for — support! As time goes on you will learn to gauge ur points along with using free foods in moderation. You have made the step to join WW now for the hard work—learn about your program and get with it along with NO EXCUSES. Just cause you go out to eat doesn’t mean just salads — study your point selection & choose wisely— Really commit to WW—It works! You CAN do this! And by the way , we do have great weeks and some weeks that stink— we regroup and continue forward with the WW program!  

Answer 37

I always order grilled chicken salad and take my own dressing it's a really good and big salad

Answer 38

I eat a huge salad when I go out, just pick the lighter chs like feta, grilled chicken, most stuff in the salad I get on blue is zero, then if it comes with pita/taziki I skip the side but a very filling salad and I lose still :)

Answer 39

This is going to sound a little harsh but it’s a lesson we all need to learn. You need to learn that you don’t have to enjoy every meal. Sometimes it’s boring, but that’s ok. If your good 95% of the time, the 5% your not isn’t nearly as big a deal.  

Answer 40

I have a nice filet steak with baked potato and veggy. I either put vinegar or salsa on my potato

Answer 41

I also have a person in my WW meeting that has them split it in half in the kitchen and puts it in a take home container before it comes to the table.  

Answer 42

Salmon and a salad are usually good choices when out.  

Comments

This is what I always get. I stay away from restaurants that don't carry broiled or grilled fish that you can get without sauces.  

Answer 43

Many times you can check out the menu ahead of time so you have a idea what would be a good choice to make with the rest of your daily eating.  

Answer 44

I check the menu before going to the restaurant and plan out my meal. Also ask for a to go box and eat only half your meal. It takes time to be mindful but it works if you plan and track! Good luck!