What I've found helps if you're going out on a weekend evening:
1. Don't eat much during the day. Have low calorie foods, and SLOW RELEASE energy foods. Like start the day with a bowl of porridge, or low sugar cereal. Then don't eat much else...if you get hungry, have some soup or a piece of fruit.
2. Drink lots of water during the day to fill you up.
3. Drink a couple of glasses (or one big glass) of water BEFORE you go out, so your tummy will be fuller.
4. Exercise during the day.
RESULT:
You get to the restaraunt KNOWING you have been very good today. The slow release energy breakfast keeps your energy levels constant all day. Plus you have exercised and drank some water so your tummy is fuller...so you don't feel like ordering the super giant chicken wings and ribs and fries platter with ten glasses of wine (exaggeration!)
TIP: make sure you DRESS and LOOK and FEEL really sexy when you go out. This works for me because I feel more elegant and less like stuffing my face. I also remember why I'm dieting and I'm inspired to stick with it.
THEN...order something you LOVE, but order in a smaller portion and try not to go for the triple deep fried thing. So make a 'good' choice...either something unhealthy, but smaller...or something healthy and bigger. If you make a healthy choice, let yourself have dessert, or a cocktail or something like that. Smaller portions = smaller you.
TWO MORE TIPS:
1. Share your main with someone. OR order an entree as a main.
2. If you're really worried you'll be too hungry before you go out, have a large piece of fruit before dinner (large banana or apple only equals about 120 calories). Then, with that and the water you should be full enough to have a little of what you like (i.e. an entree size or share), but not feel the need to splurge.
AND OF COURSE...savour the food! And when everyone else orders dessert, if you're feeling really good you could order a skinny coffee or hot chocolate instead (about 100 calories compared to maybe 500 in a restaraunt dessert).
Happy weekends everyone!