bk, these are my thoughts. When I started this I knew there would be "food obstacles" socially. I think it's 90% "mind-set". There will ALWAYS be a social event where food is served and the event is "based" on food...always...for the rest of my life. Holidays, weddings etc. There is NEVER a good time to start a "diet". But this is not a diet. It is a change in your life...a healthy one. This sounds really morbid, but when I was in phase 1 and for a while in phase 2, when I was at a social event and tempted by some "no-no", I would remember what my Daddy looked like in that coffin and what put him there and believe me, nothing and no one could "make" me eat something that I shouldn't. It's a powerful image.

So, basically you have to ask the question to yourself. Do you want to live a long and healthy life? If the answer is positively, then you start NOW. After a while you will find that social events don't revolve around the food, they revolve around the people. The food is just there for an "extra". Don't worry about offending people when you don't eat the food they serve...eat ahead of time or pack your own food and plan ahead. If you are offered something you shouldn't be eating, a simple "Oh, that looks wonderful, but I can't eat it for health reasons" should suffice.

After a while, it will be second nature, I promise!