Every year my Mother throws a Labor Day BBQ. This year was very different because I am banded (5 weeks post-op). I actually started on solids this week.

I made the usual potato salad and Pasta salads for the event (without eatting it). Usually when I make my salads I would have a bowl of each.

When the food was served I kept busy, I even stood in the pool with my granddaughter a little longer while everyone ate so I could mentally prepare myself . I ate a half of hot dog (no bun) I had bought over a few crackers and a slice of laughing cow lite cheese.

When dessert was served there was a large variety of cheesecakes set on the table, i took a very small fork full from my husbands for taste and served myself some fresh fruit.

I survived my first family outting with tons of food and managed. Yes, I am not going to lie there was temptation. I knew this was going to be the first in many temptations to come. While I sat at the table looking at all the food, I thought to myself how much I would of ate last year.

I will try hard to continue to not let food be the center of my world, at least for now I conquered one!

Congratulations, I am so very proud of you. Family dinners are always hard and you concord it. :-)

Congratulations, that's awesome! Sounds like you are well on your way to a succesful journey!

3 days post surguery I was at my parents 40th wedding anniversary, my doc has a 15 day post op full liquid diet... It sucked to sit there and watch and smell all the food. Everything worked out ok, I'm sick of the stupid shakes. I don't even try to make them taste good anymore, I just mix them as little as possible to keep the air down and get it down the hatch..

Congrats on your first BBQ!

I sure know how hard it is to see all the food and then realize you can't eat like you use too. We just celebrated an early Labor Day party and i always find it so difficult to stay on track. Family gatherings are not good for me! Way too much temptation! You did very well! Keep up the good work!!

Thank you everyone! It wasn't easy at all, pure willpower! I just had to keep talking to myself. This is only the beginning as I know I will have many many more temptations ahead of me.

Keep up the good work. 1 down ? To go. Good luck

Congratulations! This proves that you can do it!!!Karen

Good for you.

I know I can't eat as much but I am very picky of what foods to eat at events like this.

At a BBQ ill opt for 1 rib, a spoon of tater salad, a spoon of Beans, maybe a slice of brisket.

Then dessert round is, whatever I can basically scrape of the spatula or spoon the Desserts were served with.

Believe it or not I usually stay at about 1,000 calories for the day.