So...I had some events coming up late last week and over the weekend and was both looking forward to them and fearing them as well. The looking forward part was getting together with friends and family, the fearing part was going out for these events.

One evening was at a local bar with friends and colleagues from a company I used to work for. I wasn't concerned about food...but I did want to make sure I didn't drink all my calories either. I nursed one glass of white wine for the evening and then went home and had a sensible dinner.

The following evening, I went out with friends and had to deal with both food and drink. The best thing was that we got a round table in the corner and I knew I had to get into the tight spot in the small corner as I am the smallest of the foursome and that set the tone for the evening. Again...one drink and sensible portions. The food was South African by the way. Very good I might add.

Then yesterday, I met my brother and sister for brunch. We went to a restaurant that specialized in croque monsieur sandwiches. For those not familiar, it's basically a fancy french version of grilled cheese with different fillings. Again...potentially dangerous. I did well though. We ordered three croques and cut them into quarters. I had what amounted up to just over 1/2 sandwich. We ordered a small green salad and a carrot salad as well and that helped to fill me with something other than bread/cheese/ham. We even splurged on a decadent coconut cream donut but I ate a little of it...not half or even all of it as I might have at one time. Then a sensible dinner at home.

When I got on the scale this morning, I saw that I am still in my 'happy range' at 112.4. So...I think that this is finally what I am looking for. Living a normal life, enjoying my food but not to excess so I can also live a normal life at a normal size. Thanks goodness for my band.

Edited March 30, 201511 yr by gowalking

Exactly what we should be doing. Like you, I have a fairly active social life. Learning how to eat in those situations is key to losing and in your case maintaining an idea weight.

Way to go, Liz! Ah New York, where you have things like restaurants with South African food. We socialize a great deal and I'm learning how things vary for me. Yesterday we were going to a cousin's house for a pot-luck-ish dinner. Wouldn't you know I was hungry at 4:30 -- a full two hours before we'd be eating. Nothing to do but have my "tea" consisting of an egg and some yogurt. If I'm hungry I eat, that's my rule for myself. I don't wait. I didn't want to attract attention at the gathering so I took a portion of stew and some salad then played with it. People are generally focused on their own meals once things get started; it's the ordering or serving that I find most uncomfortable.