Day Ten - Death, Taxes and Weight!

I know they always say there are two definite things in life: Death & Taxes but I think weight should be the third thing.  After making it through Easter Sunday and being thankful it was not Christmas (thanks to a reader for pointing this out) I came to a conclusion.  My conclusion is that my entire social life revolves around food: movies (popcorn), card night (chips and pop), visiting ( snack food), general dinner company ( entree foods and desserts).  There must be some rules to this new life track.  So I thought about it for a bit and this is what I came up with:
NEW RULES OF SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT:

1. When going to a movie have you fluids before and carry your bottle of water for sipping.  You do not need popcorn and junk to view a movie.
2. When having a card night serve healthy snack including those that you are able to eat.  Separate yours previously so you have the size amount you are able to have.  Limit the temptations by not serving chips and junk food.
3. While visiting or being visited and snack food is offered be polite and say "no thanks" that way you are not concerned about eating the wrong thing or feel obligate to eat something you are not supposed to.  Remember to always have your bottle of water to sip.  If offering food for visitors again offer healthier choices and separate yours so you know you have the correct size amount.
4. Dinners or Family functions that involve food or potlucks.  Make something you know you can eat (try to separate a individual size previously for yourself).  Survey the foods and know what you can and cannot eat, if in doubt avoid. 
5. When participating in a meal remember to eat slowly....your amount will be much smaller than others but if you take your time and remember the tip: put fork down between bites, chew 25 times etc then you will have time to let your brain register you are full and you won't seem like you are the only person not eating.

These are just a few of my new rules I came up with because I was a little shocked to realize just how much socialization with friends and family revolves around eating.  Our families next get together is for Mother's Day.  It will be on the Sunday May 8th.....just 4 days before I can eat food....lol....just my luck eh!  I will make my contribution for the dinner but I will plan my food for the day (still on full fluids then) with the knowledge that I can have 1/2 cup of creamed soup or pureed vegetable soup, 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1/2 cup of fat free sugar free yogurt.  For a snack I can also have V8 juice or tomato juice.  At least it will be something this time instead of the diluted applejuice I had for our family Good Friday lunch.  I am learning that I must occupy myself with things to do that way I don't think about eating.  I am knitting, crocheting, working on the computer, and a few other things.  Once I am back to work and heading to the gym afterwards I don't think it will be quite as difficult as sitting at home with not a lot to do.  I guess bordom really does effect how people eat.  My challenge to all you readers that are bordom eaters is find an activity to do....replace feeding your face with something physical.   My new mantra is : I will take control and not let control take me!   This is a war!  And we are at battle.....be armed, be ready, be aware and we will defeat the enemy!
Steph