Eating on the Town

One idea for an after-core class is to eat together at several restaurants.   

Objectives:	to demonstrate that participants can make menu choices they like that are consistent with their fat gram/calorie goals; to help participants identify and resolve problems in making menu choices when eating out.

Example sessions:
Session 1:		Appetizer potluck and review of tips for ordering low-fat/calorie choices from a menu.  Have participants bring in samples of low-fat/calorie appetizers and recipes, or provide them yourself.   Distribute copies of handouts from Session 10, Four Keys to Eating Out.  Briefly review.  Ask participants for some examples of helpful techniques they have used when eating out.  Also distribute copies of selected pages from the book, The Restaurant Companion, which describe helpful techniques for restaurant eating, and review.  Finally, distribute various menus from local restaurants (including the ones you plan to visit in the upcoming sessions).  Have participants role play ordering from the menus, with you playing the waiter, and highlight the techniques from The Restaurant Companion and Session 10.  Include some scenarios in which you put up some resistance to a participant’s requests so there is an opportunity to practice assertiveness in a challenging situation (see the after-core class Being Assertive for some example scenarios).  Include some humorous scenarios, too.
Sessions 2-4:	Go to three restaurants together and practice the techniques reviewed in the previous session.  Have fun and enjoy.  (Use Tool Box funds to pay for the meals.  First, select some possible restaurants that offer low-fat options and are affordable.  Investigate whether or not you can get a discount for a group, perhaps on a weekday evening or at an early time for dinner.  Then have the participants vote on which restaurants to visit.)

Note:  Be sure to review Section 6 in the Manual for Contacts After Core:  Guidelines for Conducting Lifestyle Classes after Core, before conducting this or other after-core classes.

Note:  As with other after-core classes, this class should be considered a time for participants to “restart” (resume behavior changes toward their weight loss and physical activity goals).  At Session 1, participants should set goals for fat grams/calories, exercise, and weight loss to achieve during the class.  All sessions should include encouragement to self-monitor, goal setting, and a brief check-in with each participant to review progress toward goals.   Unlike with other classes, it may not be reasonable to weigh participants or collect self-monitoring materials during a session at a restaurant, depending on the location.  However, a weigh-in and collection of self-monitoring materials should occur at a minimum of one of the sessions and as often as is possible.  (For example, you may be able to meet as a group at the clinic before going to the restaurant and weigh participants there.)