Today I weighed in for my weight loss/detoxification program…I only lost 1 pound. I am not really upset about this (although I could have lost more). I had labor day, my birthday and few other engagements thrown in for this cycle…so I never really got off to a good start. I kept thinking: tomorrow is Labor Day, Saturday is my birthday, I may as well eat since I’ll treat myself on those days too. That’s not sound thinking. Instead, I should have been resisting on “other” days in anticipation for the special days. I’ll learn and keep it moving.

I normally don’t like diets, but so far, this one is taking the weight off and helping me rethink a lot of my choices for the past several years. Vegetables are very important…I need to intentionally look for more veggies and make them the big part of my meals. Fruit also helps curb my desire for refined sugar. For the first time (at least intentionally), I’m also staying away from breads and grains…surprisingly, cutting back on those foods has made a difference…and I don’t miss them as much as I thought I would.

Through this journey, I’ve kept a personal journal about what I’m learning. I’ll share a few things here, but would love to hear what you think too.

1. As I said before, veggies are important…they are low in fat/mostly without fat when prepared healthily; I want to make them the center of my meal instead of a “side” that I can do without.

2. Fruit is my friend; I can spend the money to buy the good, sweet kind (fresh pineapple has been heavenly); I used to spend more on a good slice of cake without even blinking.

3. Our society is geared around food. I’ve felt a little down because I love to eat out and I love to meet friends for dinner…but trying to cut back means being intentional about my social gatherings. Yes, we can choose places that serve lots of  fresh veggies and fruit…but a lot of times you don’t have very much control over what they are putting on the food. A few weeks ago, a friend and I met up at Summer Dance  (an outdoor dance lesson and party in Chicago). We danced a little and talked more. That was one way to get away from a food centered event; another friend and I walked on Lake Michigan for our time together….slowly but surely, I’m learning to find other events…and I’m learning how to eat wisely when thrust into social gatherings with lots of food. Not an easy task, but one that has to be conquered if I intend to live in this world and be healthy.

How do you get around the culinary delights at social functions or our culture’s obsession with food?