Most of us have been there. We’re at a dinner party and we see a beautiful woman or a handsome man across the room. We’re instantly distracted, and before you know it, there’s food in front of you. Suddenly, your social calendar is full of events, and you begin to wonder, “Do I really need to lose weight?”
Being at a social event and seeing someone you find attractive can be pretty distracting. You want to make sure you say hello, but you’re not sure how long it will be before you can bring yourself back from your ‘curiousness’. When you feel your attention wandering, it’s often because you’re bored or there’s nothing interesting happening. Being at a social event is probably one of the least productive things you can do if you want to shed those extra pounds.
If you’re planning on going to a social event where you’ll be sitting down to eat, here are some tips on how to make the most of your big night out and how to eat healthier.
Bring Your Own Plate
Going to a restaurant means you’re at the mercy of their offerings, and it usually means you’re going to overindulge. It’s easy to blame the restaurant, but the truth is you asked for this shit. When you go out for food, you should prepare to pay for what you get. It’s your own damn fault for ordering a burger when you really meant to go for a salad. It’s also not very respectful to the server who’s trying to be nice to you and bring you whatever you asked for.
On the other hand, bringing your own plate means you’re in control of what goes in it. When you get home, you’ll have to decide what to do with all that food, but at least you can feel good about yourself. Nobody’s going to judge you for eating what you want, because you’re not doing it in front of them.
Choose The Right Restaurant
When you’re looking for a restaurant to go to, consider the kind of food they serve and how healthy it is. If you want to go for a greasy burger and fries, there are tons of fast food places around you. There are also lots of trendy restaurants that serve healthy meals, which is great if you’re trying to eat well.
What’s important is that you choose a restaurant that serves food you can actually eat. If you’re ordering something green, it probably means it’s not very good for you. Avoid restaurants that are primarily coffee shops or bars; instead, go for a classy eatery that serves steak and seafood.
Eat What You Want
If you’re planning on going for a meal, then it’s best to make a list of the food you want to eat and work your way through it. Ordering something at the restaurant that you didn’t put on your list will cause you to go home dissatisfied. You will also have eaten food that you didn’t need, and that’s a waste of resources. Instead, write down the menus for everything you see and make a decision later at the restaurant.
When you get home, you’ll have to defend your choices to your friends, who will all judge you because they don’t eat meat. Be sure to order from healthy restaurants when you can, because it’s always nice to support places that serve organic food.
Skip The Drink
There’s nothing worse than going to a restaurant and ordering a delicious whiskey or cognac, only to have them bring it to your table and expect you to drink it. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like an asshole, and it’s definitely not good for your waistline. If you want to drink, go to a bar and get drinks with your buddies. Otherwise, resist the urge to drink at the restaurant and you’ll be happier in the long run.
The key to a successful dinner party is to keep your eyes open for things that you can do to make it special. You don’t have to go overboard and put on a show – instead, do some of the things below to make it memorable.
Personalized Sign
Give each plate a name and put a little bit of a dedication on it. That way, you can have specific foods ready for the people you’re feeding and avoid food that isn’t meant for you. Name the plate after yourself or someone you know and dedicate it to someone special. Doing this will make the food more personal and create more of a connection between you and your loved ones.
Takeaway Bag
When you arrive at the restaurant, take a bag with clothes you’ll need for the night and items that might be useful during the meal. This will help you avoid going to bed naked, which can happen when you’re by yourself. Having clothes that aren’t your own is embarrassing, and not something you need to be doing every night. Also, if you’re staying overnight, bring a pillow and blanket to be more comfortable. Even though it might not seem like it at the time, going for a meal is a lot of work. Make sure you’re prepared for the long haul by bringing the necessary items above. This will give you a better chance of having a successful dinner party and give you more incentive to get the food and get out of there.