Are your eating habits at restaurants keeping you from losing weight? Weight loss coach Dusty Young, who shed 100 pounds on his own journey, has cracked the code with a revolutionary approach that’s taking social media by storm. In a new social media post, the self-described “recovering fat kid” reveals some of the top misteps people take when dining out. “When I stopped making these 5 restaurant mistakes, losing 100 pounds became way easier,” he writes in his post. “Eat out AND lose fat. You can lose fat & still eat out. But the more you do it → The more strategic you have to be. Here’s exactly what I changed (and why).”
Treating Every Meal Out Like a Vegas Buffet
The first mistake people make is treating every meal out like a Vegas buffet. “Apps. Drinks. Entree. Dessert. Clean plate. Roll me home. Reality check: It’s not one meal that kills progress—it’s when every meal turns into a 2,000-3,000 calorie event,” he says. “What I do now: Pick ONE extra. Not all of ’em. Keeps me satisfied without needing a forklift to get me outta the restaurant.”
Showing up Starving
Another big mistake is showing up to a restaurant when you are starving. “Skipping meals to ‘save calories’ was the fastest way to black out & crush 4 baskets of bread before the meal even started. Just like you shouldn’t go grocery shopping hungry—same rule applies here,” says Young. “What I do now: Still eat during the day—but load up on protein + fiber. Keeps calories lower, cravings in check, & me acting like a human, not a wild raccoon.”
Not Being Prepared
Not being prepared is another mistake. “Going in blind was always a disaster. I’d show up with good intentions—but when it was my turn to order? Full panic mode. I’d freeze & just pick whatever sounded good,” he says. “What I do now: Glance at the menu before I go. Pick a couple options that sound good & align with my goals. Walk in ready—not scrambling.”
Feeling Like You Have to Clean Your Plate
“Feeling like I had to clean my plate,” was his fourth mistake. “Restaurant portions are ridiculous. And when you’re distracted? It’s easy to crush 3 pounds of pasta without even realizing it,” he says. “What I do now: Slow down. Be present. Stop when I’m satisfied. Or box half up before I start so future me has lunch tomorrow.”
Eating Out Several Times a Week
“Eating out multiple times per week,” is mistake five. “Restaurant food is delicious for a reason—butter, oil, sugar, salt, sauces. Sneaky calories everywhere,” he says. “What I do now: I still eat out—just less often. And when I do? I show up with a strategy, not hope & vibes.”
The Bottom Line
Bottom line? “Eating out isn’t the problem. Eating out without a plan over & over again? Yeah, that’ll stall your progress real quick. Fat-loss isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional—especially in the environments most likely to trip you up. Restaurants included.