Nicky J - some tips for social gatherings IF you can't avoid them. I stay well away until I've had about 3 clear weeks of non-deviation. Also during PMT weeks I am very careful.
1. Consciously will yourself away from the food table if there is one. You can talk to someone far away and keep yourself busy. Out of sight = out of mind.
2. If food comes around, look at the person in the face offering and say "Thanks, but I've just had something." The "something" may merely have been a breath of fresh air, but they don't have to know that!
3. Eat an apple and maybe cracker allowance just before you go in the door to something like that. It helps.
4. If drink keeps being offered, try and keep your glass always full of water - sneak off and refill if you have to. Else keep it full of alcohol, don't sip, and then calmly put the glass down later full as it has always been. Abandon.
5. Be the one that does the helpful bits and pieces - gets people's dirty plates or glasses and goes to the kitchen, or fills the sink.
6. A deep and meaningful with one person will slightly deter others interrupting to ask whether you need/want food or drink.
7. If all else fails, don't be afraid of the word "no". I used to always feel obligated to be the "nice" person who tried someone's "something or other" and always felt bad refusing to make them feel comfortable by accepting. I have learnt that those who remain skinny are not afraid to say "no" if they can't through any other polite way.
8. Enjoy yourself. There's more to enjoying life than food and drink. Of course, they are the staples of any social occasion, but you do become inventive as time goes by!
It's a weird life having to alter well established social habits. This is not for your entire life - it's to get you through a period of time when you are putting yourself No 1 on your priority list. You deserve it, so don't let the comfort and enjoyment of others take that away from you!
