Ways of Maintaining Your Diet And Keeping Your Social Life.

If you're on a diet, preparing your own meals or buying a solo lunch is generally no big deal. But factor in brunch with friends, birthday dinners, and a general social life, and your weight loss rules can quickly start to fall to the wayside. 

But being on a diet shouldn't mean rejecting each and every event invitation. Instead, check out these 5 tips for maintaining your diet while eating out with friends, from the women who completed the Tighten Your Tummy in 2 Weeks weight loss program: 

1.    BYO! 

What do you do when dining with friends at restaurants or at parties? The temptation to join the party can be tremendous unless you prepare ahead of time. Barbara Trombetta owes her 15-pound fat loss to her new beverage of choice: LaCroix sparkling flavored water. "At happy hour, I just poured a glass or two of it in a wine or champagne glass," says Barbara. "The seltzer bubbles made me feel like I was drinking something special." At dinner parties, ask your host if you can bring a dish you can share and savor with friends. "I always took my own food to parties or dinners," says Joan Cortez. "Travel with your own party in a bag and remember: The veggie tray is great, but not with dips!"

2.  Research the menu.

 
"The most important thing to do before eating at a restaurant is to get on the Internet and look up the menu and nutritional value of each meal," says Joan. Plan your order before arriving and ask the waiter to hold off on bread or chips for the table.

3.  Cut it in half. 

Restaurants are notorious for big plates and big portions. "As soon as my order comes out, I divide it in half down the plate with a fork," says Angela Choate. "Halving your order once it's out keeps the idea of portion control fresh on your mind before you dig in."

4.  Play it safe. 

Can't find the menu online? Stick with salad, says Pam Waters: "I order mine with oil, vinegar, lemon on the side, and request broiled fish or chicken." Most places will accommodate what you want. Just be sure to ask for your protein sauce-free and think of the plate as a pie chart—50 percent carbohydrates, 25 percent protein, and 25 percent fat. When you're unsure if a half-size is small enough, keep your order simple, says Angela: "I order a cup of soup and side salad with dressing on the side."

5.  Dodge the dessert tray. 

When everyone around you seems to want something sweet, pop a mint in your mouth, says Denise Rodriguez. "It keeps your mouth busy and your mind preoccupied while everyone's eating." If the craving persists, indulge your sweet tooth by savoring a slice of fresh fruit or small square of dark chocolate instead.

Adapted from Tighten Your Tummy in 2 Weeks

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