Business lunches

Has anyone had to deal with business lunches and not know what to do. I had one this week and it was like a meeting with sandwiches, muffins, bagels, etc. I took half a sandwich and ended up just taking the meat from the middle and then threw everything else out. I kept thinking that everyone must think I'm weird. I felt so self-conscious. Does anyone have any tips. I haven't eaten out at restaurants yet either and this will be touchy with business associates. Will be ok with family. On this business trip I just went on it was tough having to buy food for a few days and not having my kitchen with what I normally eat. I know people say that it will get better but I don't like being so odd this way. I tried eating something at the airport yesterday and got so sick ended up in the bathroom for 1/2 hr . Carolyn

Carolyn, I completely understand your plight. Yesterday we had an end of the year pot luck at school. I was really affraid to participate because as a "big girl" people look at you funny when you dont have a overflowing plate of food and you arent scarfing it down. There was baked spaghetti, mac and cheese, hot wings, KFC, rolls, all kind of mess. I got a scoop of this shrimp pasta salad with feta cheese and a spoon of some crab dip and crackers. One of my collegues commented that she should have made her plate like mine bc she had gotten all the KFC and mac and cheese. I know I shouldnt but I feel self conscious about what people may say or think about the small amount of food i'm consuming. None of my collegues know that I had the surgery. We were all gathered eating and of course I was worried that I might eat too fast or get sick from something and throw up. I just came to the conclusion that I must make sure I slow down.....I am so conscious of that when I'm in public and if anyone comments or asks "I'm watching what I eat" They've recognized the current weight loss so they accept that and keep it moving! Carolyn we've got to get over feeling so self conscious about what other people are thinking or saying or if they are going to look at us wierd bc we only eat the meat from the sandwhich. It's not neccessary to broadcast to everyone the choice we made to have the surgery bc with that comes a whole other can of worms and judgements from people who no nothing of what we are going thru. Ok let me get off of my soapbox. I hope this helped. Whewwww...it sure helped me out! Keep your head up and your mind off of being the odd ball in the group. Peace, Poodle

I've had several b'ness meals so far. I was worried at first too. I've found it easier to deal with at restaurants - because I can control what I order (usually off the appetizer menu). But I've also not had trouble finding something to eat at catered funtions either. Usually people are so caught up in their own meal or the conversation that they don't notice how much you've eaten. Only once did someone comment on my barely picked over plate and make a big fuss over it. But that was because the waitress was slow in clearing it and it was sitting in front of me so long. I just shrugged and said it was very good but I'd had enough. Alcohol - that's a tougher one to explain. I usually just say that I'm dieting and alcohol was easy extra calories to give up.