Eating with friends

So many times I find it funny how much a lack of self control I have when eating with friends. I am not sure what all causes this, but it can be very frustrating.

Last night we went to a new restaurant with friends and my wife and I shared a meal. This is usually a great thing, and I do really well. I guess last night was a little different because I really wanted fish, but my wife will not eat fish. For both cost and meal size reasons we always share a meal now, so I knew I was not going to eat fish. That being the case I was already a little grouchy. That coupled with the fact that they brought us out a small spinach thing as an appetizer on the house, and then I must of looked hungry because our waiter brought me out a cup of Clam Chowder on the house as well. By the time our meal came out I had already had enough to eat, but of course it looked really good so I went ahead and ate my portion. We did have some left over, which was good, but I still ate entirely too much.

So, why do we tend to eat more when we are with friends? I don't generally eat too much when we go out to dinner as just a family, but that all changes when we are out with friends.

I think for me there are multiple reasons.

1. We generally eat later because of everyone's schedule.
2. The conversation or whatever is going on distracts me from being sensible.
3. We go places we may not normally go.
4. We actually go to a restaurant, which we do very little of.

I am sure there are other reasons, but these are the ones that come to mind. The most important thing for me is to not get down on myself and bounce back immediately, which is what I do. This is not always easy, but I have to remember there will be times that I make bad decisions and it doesn't need to stand in the way of being social. I am getting better all the time just because of my lifestyle change, so I know I am moving in the right direction.

So, what are some of the things that cause you to overdo it? And, is it difficult for you to bounce back, or do you bounce right back immediately?