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I hate to admit it... but every time my husband asks me to go out for dinner... or even breakfast on a Saturday... I cringe. I absolutely cringe, I tell you! And a big wave of fear starts to well up deep inside me and totally engulfs my very being.
Strange reaction... because most women would jump up and down and shout for joy and be absolutely ecstatic if their husband asked them out... at least most women who are NOT morbidly obese.
But me... I get scared to death that I will not be able to fit in the chairs or booths at most restaurants. I have a little too much "junk in the trunk" to fit into most chairs with arms. And my bulging belly is certainly not booth-friendly. So... I only agree to go to certain restaurants... restaurants that I'm sure are "fat-friendly" because of their armless chairs.
Believe me... having limited restaurants to go to is NOT fun. And I figure that once I lose about 60 more pounds... fitting in chairs or booths will not be so much of an issue for me. Being able to go to ANY restaurant in town is one of the things that I am most looking forward to as I lose weight. And when I no longer have to worry about fitting in chairs or booths... it is going to be one of the happiest days of my life!
That being said... what are your favorite "fat-friendly" restaurants? Which restaurants that you frequent have armless chairs? Which restaurants could I go to right now? In particular... what kind of seating does "Macalister's Deli" have? I'd love to go there sometime... but... well... you know.
Thanks in advance for your recommendations!!! :)
19 comments:
I've quickly gotten to the point where I'd just as soon stay home and prepare my own food than battle the minefield of restaurant menus.
I think we eat more, too, when we don't see what goes in to making our meals. And then there's all the stuff we don't know about what's going in our meals.
I got some of my fav soup to go from a local vegetarian Indian place. Great stuff. I thought it was relatively harmless too. I ate half and left half for the next day; when I look at it in the fridge, I was horrified to see the congealed fat on the top. No telling WHAT was in it, but I suspect it was a lot more than what I'd put in a similar dish in my own kitchen.
Most restaurants aren't fat friendly, unless you mean trying to get you to be more fat.
I guess you missed this post of mine where I talk about this? http://www.fertilehealthy.com/blog/2009/06/24/nobody-puts-baby-in-a-corner/ I think this was when you had house guests. You are not the only obese person in your city and therefore restaurants should accommodate YOU!
I agree, Jack. That's why I always check out nutrition information online before I go to a restaurant. Thank God most restaurants do provide that information now!
Hanlie... you are right. I did miss that post due to my company. But you can bet I'm going to check it out now! :)
I first blogged about this topic on Day 8:
http://losingweighteveryday.blogspot.com/2008/10/day-8-stressful-triggers.html
The triumphant realization that I didn't have to avoid restaurants with un-fat-friendly seating came on Day 175:
http://losingweighteveryday.blogspot.com/2009/03/day-175-turns-out-i-like-booths-and-one.html
I don't think these are showing up as links, but I'm a computer dummy sometimes.
You will feel so free when you get to the point that it doesn't matter the place "everybody" wants to go. Most people (including hostesess at restaurants) do not have a clue what morbidly obese people go through.
I cried when I realized I could fit in the smallest of booths. Even the "formica lined row-a-booths." You will too. Nobody knows except those of us who have dealt with it and been consumed by it with every trip out.
Bless you. You're doing wonderful!
I love following your blog!!!
I like the selection at Denny's. They will sub anything you ask them like fruit and egg whites. :)
Well I, too, happen to agree with Jack on this one. Not only do I find the food I prepare at home more nutritious but it tastes better! I don't know what a Macalister's Deli is, sorry. :)Around these parts we have a lot of box restaurants, ie - Perkins, Dennys, Cracker Barrel, Steak & Shake, Culvers, Subway, DQ, etc. We don't seem to have many Mom & Pops. The few we have and that are good I patron. My husband and I are notorious for hunting these down and giving them the business instead of the Box. Although I will get subs and blizzards...heh. But speaking of Mom & Pops; it's so sad to see how many are being put out of business with this economy - even the Box are being slightly affected. I've always wanted to run my own eatery and if it comes to fruition you my friend are always welcome! And I will always have a spot for you! :D
Just one other note, regarding the seating issue I have found that Mom & Pops are more accomodating. I hope this helps!
Hi CC,
macalister's deli has chairs without arms, so you should try it. They also have very healthy sandwhiches to choose from as well.
I love their baked potatoes, but not figure friendly. Stick with a sandwhich!
Hope this helps.
Jamie
Locally (Memphis), McAlister's has a combination of booths and table seating, but the chairs seem smallish and feel fragile to me, even at goal weight. Local Jason's Delis (not sure if you have those in your area) seem to have more substantial chairs, not to mention nutritional info online. :)
Another possibility is Chick-fil-a. Booths and tables, with decently-sized chairs.
To be honest, I still have moments of panic when I'm steered to a booth. It takes me a second or two to remember that fitting isn't an issue anymore. At least not physically. I'm not sure when the 'emotional fit' will occur.
Seats are the first thing i look at when entering a restaraunt. If the seats don't look suitable, i just walk out again.
But with booths, some booths are bigger than others. Like there's one restaraunt i like to go to, but one booth has a tad more space than the others. I'll only go in there if it's vacant.
I'm with Jack Sh*t - staying home is better.
Oh, I feel ya! Situations that require eating out strike terror in my heart too.
I'll never forget going out to eat with my in-laws when I was pregnant and the waitress tried to give us a booth. I took one look at it and knew it wasn't happening. I tried to play it off due to my being pregnant, but truthfully, that wasn't why I wouldn't fit.
One of my favorite places to eat, (and fortunately everyone else in the family too) is Golden Corral. They have a huge buffet, and something for everybody. I find it hard to "be good" when I go there, but there are lots of healthy choices too, and it's fat friendly. Not a single booth!
I usually avoid restaurants, too. Menus are a minefield. I have allergies, too. Nice.
The few restaurants I've been to [we've only lived here a year] seem to have different kinds of seating - tables & booths.
I actually prefer my own food these days though.
I like any restaurants that has booths. I always feel self-conscious sitting in chairs, where my thighs extend over the seat of the chairs. I feel "hidden" in booths.
McCalesters (sp) HERE has big booths & no chairs.
off to check hanlies post as well.
shes one wise woman.
My husband and I would call restaurants and ask about seating beforehand. They don't have to know why, and that way you don't have to check it out in person first.
I posted a while back about being able to just stand up and out of an armchair at work for the first time. I sat up and down, in and out of that chair all day long for the fun and novelty. It was such a sweet feeling not to have to do my usual wriggle-dance with a sideways twist to get in and out of it without being too obvious to onlookers.
I know this feeling! You know what to do!
Ah yes, my big booty sometimes gets worried about where it will plop down. Generally anywhere with booths is good. I like Chili's and the Mexican restaurants in my town. Well, the food isn't helping the cause but at least I can sit comfortably.
The chair thing is a big deal.
I first realized things were really getting out of control when the airplane seat was getting too snug...
I totally understand what you mean. I hate chairs with arms mainly because they hit at the wrong place. Secondly my biggest uncomfortable seat is on airplanes! UGG They are often too skinny. Or if not the the belt is snug! UGGG I hate asking for the extender, too. I'm about to go on vacation to the islands- I'm hoping I haven't gained back too much weight that I am strapped in like a bad sausage!
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