Eating out

[Nibbles]

Hi all,

I want to share a little achievement of mine today because I think the success forum gives us lots of hope and comfort.

Last December I had two panic attacks while eating out at restaurants and this really knocked me for six. It completely put me off eating out and I would find ways of avoiding meals out. A couple of weeks ago I took my first tentative steps to eating out again by going to McDonalds. I went on my own and ate in on the first occasion which didn't cause much anxiety because I knew it was easy to leave if needed. The second time was with my sister and niece which caused more anxiety because of the embarressment factor if I needed to leave. I did manage to stay though and ate most of my meal.

Today I decided to take the plunge and went for a pub lunch with Mum and Dad. We set off early so it wouldn't be too busy and sat in the front room which was empty when we arrived. While we waited for our food to arrive some people came into the same room who were obviously on a pub lunch. I felt on edge but not really anxious and kept chatting to Mum and Dad. Once the food arrived I managed to eat it all and actually enjoyed it.

I've been putting off doing this for some time so feel quite pleased that I've finally done it. Once more it was nowhere near as bad as I had anticipated. I don't have any more bravery or courage than anyone else on here and am just your average person. I wanted to share this with you as it proves we can all do things and there's always hope.

Take care,

Mike :)

[mystics]

:yesyes: :yesyes: :yesyes: WHEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MIKE WELL DONE :yesyes: :yesyes: :yesyes:

Anticipatory anxiety sucks if we could just get through that like you have life would be alot easier!!my philosophy anyway !!lol

What an achievement WELL DONE AGAIN :yesyes: :yesyes:

:hugs: :hugs:
Brightest Angel Blessings
Mystics :flowers:

[Believe]

Wow Nibbles great job. I know that you are so proud of yourself. Yes I believe that we all can do things, it's that first step and then we are on our way.


GREAT JOB TO YOU.



Take Care
Believe:yesyes: :yesyes:

I Believe That In Time We All Will Get Better.

[clickaway]

Hi Mike,

Well done on taking the plunge and coming out with a result!

Quite sensible to graduate to this level in easy stages. Next time, perhaps you could go at a slightly busier time at the same pub where the environment will be familiar.

Cheers!

[Anna77]

Hi Mike :)

Wow, it sounds like you've done great over the past few weeks - well done for seeing each difficult situation through :yesyes:

Take care,

Anna :)

PS - Maybe one day soon i'll finally beat you at pacman lol :winks:

[groovygranny]

Well Mr 'average person',

You aint' gonna get an 'average well done' from me mate, no way.....OOOOOH NOOOO !!!

http://toons.artie.com/alphabet/words/arg-dancin-wo0hoo-url.gif

I know how difficult this must have been for you so YOU ARE A .....

http://glittertexten.animaatjes.nl/img/i80481036_60146_www-animaatjes-nl.gif

Big huggeroonies too !!:blush:


:hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs::hugs:

XXX XXX XXX

[trac67]

woo well done me little milkshake :D :D
so proud of you, way to go you are an inspiration hon, you faced your fear and JFDI :yesyes: :yesyes:

Loads of :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: :hugs: for me buddy

Love

Trac xxx

[Rain]

Wow Nibbles, I know you have worked hard to overcome your fear of eating out so it's fantastic to hear you have now managed a pub lunch. That really is an acheivement. My first major panic attack was in a restaurant so I know how hard it can be to pluck up the courage to face them again after a bad experience. Your methodical step by step aproach has really shown dividends. A big pat on the back!:yesyes:

[Piglet]

Nice one lovie!!! :hugs: :yesyes:

Piglet :flowers:

[bottleblond]

Mike!

CONGRATULATIONS and a huge well done!!! :hugs:
I bet you feel on top of the world for doing that!? and quite rightly so. I'm really proud of you.:hugs:

Love Lisa
xxxxxxxxx

[kazzie]

WELL DONE MIKE:yesyes: :yesyes: :yesyes:

Luv Kaz x x x:hugs:

Ps did you have something yummy??????

[beauty]

Well done nibbles thats great! I struggle with eating out too i cant explain why but i find i panic more whereas im fine in a bar or club, it must be the eating part! x

[manmoor]

Mike :hugs: you beat me to it mucks lol :D A big massive well done to you :yesyes: when I got your text today I was sitting in traffic lights with the window down having a fag and embarrassed myself big time :wacko: cos I let a big woot woot outta me I was so chuffed for you lol. But sure I wouldn't be me if I didn't do something dopey at least once a day eh :ohmy: Your a star Mike and I'm so proud of you :hugs: xxxxx

[darkangel]

Im soooooooo chuffed to bits for you, well done.

http://www.myspacechamp.com/graphics/congratulations/congratulations_myspace_graphics_02.gif


Luv Darkangel x:flowers:

[Ellen70]

Well done Nibs, it is great to hear that you are making progress.

Best wishes

Ellen :yesyes:

[nomorepanic]

:yahoo: Woohoo:yahoo:

Well done Nibbs

What a star you are:hugs: :yesyes:

[honeybee3939]

Nibbs what a fantastic achievement for you !:yesyes: :yesyes: :yesyes:

You keep up the good work !!:yesyes: :yesyes:


http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/Amoritia/welldone.gif

Love
:hugs: :hugs:
Andrea
xxxxx

[pips]

Well Mr N. Just how blinkin http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_5_109v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZCxdm594YYGB)are you me Fabaroony Friend.

I'm so very impressed!:yesyes: I totally empathize with how you feel as I to have always had an issue with eating out especially in front of people so I know how difficult it is! So a BIG http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_30_118.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZCxdm594YYGB)matey.

Oh & Mr Average indeed :lac: I think NOT Mr!
http://lc.fdots.com/cc/lc/49/49e1c9a5c7383197cccc266937a8cd23.jpg (http://www.myhotcomments.com/graphics.php?id=7999)
Take Care

Love Pip's X X:hugs:

[Southern_Belle]

Mike,

I'm so proud of you. I agree with Ray you were wise to take it up a step every time. Just keep on doing it and you will continue to amaze yourself.

Love,

Laura

[jitterbug]

WOW WELL DONE MR "AVERAAGE JOE!" pfffft :winks:
well done youre awesome mike:yesyes:
xxx:hugs::hugs::hugs:xxx

[Nibbles]

Thanks so much to each and every one of you. :hugs: Your words mean so much to me, you're a very special bunch of people and meeting you lot is the one thing I thank my anxiety for.

Take care,

Mike :)

[Lindalou64]

Thats Great Mike You Did A Great Job........was Good To Start Out Small...my Son Also Has A Fear Of Eating In Public....
Wish Ya The Best........linda Xxxx

[lillady123]

Hi Nibbles I just wondered how you are getting on with eating out? I hope u are still doing it because I want to tell u its possible to completely recover from a fear of eating out! When I read your post t reminded me of myself. 6 years ago I had my first panic attack in a restaurant and avoided eating out for 3 years. Then I did what u did and took small steps, madonalds, cafes, pubs untill now you cant get me out of restaurants! the posher the better!! ok I still get nervous if I go to a posh restaurant or even a not so posh restaurant if im with friends rather than my boyfriend but Id still go. I went to a restaurant with work colleauges i didnt know very well and who certainly dont know i have anxiety. Thats my biggest acheivement. If I can do it anyone can :D

[lorac]

Well done you did great:yesyes:

Carol
x

[Wenjoy]

Hey well done- I have the sameproblem but still go out for meals but eat little and chew thoroughly and try to relax my breahting and listen to what other people are saying. The main thing is to DO it and not stop socialising or the panic wins . Love wenjoy xxx

[Nibbles]

Hi Lillady,

Thanks for the encouragement. :) I have been eating out several times since this post and have generally been doing quite well. I have had a couple of periods when my anxiety has been bad in other areas or I've had a bug so am careful not to take too much on. Thanks again for taking the time to ask and also to Carol and Wenjoy. :)

Take care,

Mike :)

[samc100]

Well done !!! I have eating out phobias so I am really jealous of you :D