An Evening With Friends

My husband and I were invited to the home of our dear friends last night.  These are life long friends who are very close to us.  They had prepared a wonderful meal and I had made up my mind that I would stay on my program.  I put roast beef, green beans and carrots on my plate.  I refrained from the wonderful scalloped potatoes.  My friend said, "Oh, I really wanted you to try my potatoes".  I told her I would just take a bite from my husband's plate.  They were very delicious and I told her so.  My friend had made lemonade and coffee and I told her I just preferred water.  She insisted that the lemonade was diet but I thanked her and told her I preferred water.  For dessert, they had apple pie, banana cream pie and homemade ice cream.  I declined and she said she had made the ice cream with natural sugar and I should try some.  I thanked her and told her I would pass.  Later, they made some air popped popcorn and I did have a little of that.  I think she was a little offended that I didn't eat like I normally do at their house.  Sometimes this is the hardest part of being on a weight loss program.  Although well meaning, our friends want to feed us!  I know I am the same way when I have company.  When you are at a restaurant, you can order what you are allowed to have without offending your friends.  It is very hard to refuse food that has been lovingly and carefully prepared for you by your good friends.  Our friends tend to present the biggest sabotages to our best laid plans without intending any harm to us.  It is part of our culture to celebrate with food and to present special foods to our guests.  I explained that I had been trying very hard and that my health was improving.  I told them I had a long way to go but I had to stick to my program in order to have better health.  In the end, I think they understood, or at least I hope they did.  Our culture's traditions have contributed to our nations' obesity.  I should know - I am a product of it.