When it comes to dating, most of us are a little skittish. After all, we’re talking to someone we hardly know and hoping they like who we really are.

Well, most of us, anyway.

For the rest of the daters out there, you might not be skittish because you’re projecting a completely different personality than the one you wear during your dating off-hours. Yes, you are faking it during your dates, but it seems to work, so what’s the harm in it?

Let’s sit down for a moment and think about why being yourself is the best way to date:

• It’s easier
• It takes less energy
• You don’t have to constantly second guess your every word, action, and expression

When you are just ‘you,’ you get to show your date what they’re in for - like it or not. And would you really want to waste your time with someone who isn’t truly the person they seem to be? No, you’d call them a liar and something that was just trying to get something from you.

So, why are you doing it too?

Becoming more comfortable with yourself is not an overnight process, to be sure. But it is something which will help you hook up and match up with a person who likes you for who you are - on the date and down the road.

You finally got motivated to lose those last 5 pounds - you didn’t think it was possible before, but now you’re well on your way to shedding the extra weight. You’re feeling terrific…until you get asked out to dinner by the hot guy in your office.

What do you do? You know he wants to go to that hot new restaurant in town, the one with the 3000 calorie dishes.

Should you say no?

No.

Dieting doesn’t have to take you out of the dating game until you’re hit your goal weight - in fact, why not use it as more inspiration to keep your new figure?

Here are some tips to dating while dieting:

• Order smaller dishes - Choose appetizers instead of entrees to help keep your portions small.
• Eat light during the day - This way, you can afford to eat a little more during your date.
• Call ahead to see what the restaurant offers - You can check to see what dishes will still work within your diet plan.
• Start with soup and salad - These are generally lower in calories and they fill you up before a fattening main course, helping to slow down diet damage.

But in the end, one meal is not going to stop your weight loss. In fact, letting loose once in a while might just keep you on track.