How to NOT lose weight

I had a small epiphany on my way to work this morning. I was thinking about how proud I was about not overeating at my party, despite the fact that all my favorite foods were there. I was thinking about how hard it is to make good choices when you go out to dinner (unless you do some research on the menu beforehand and have a plan going into the restaurant) and how the people you're with affect your decision.

For instance, if I'm out with a group of friends and they're ordering items like chili cheese fries or onion rings, I'm probably going to have a harder time ordering a grilled chicken salad. I'll probably be more likely to order something that isn't great for me. But then I thought that it also depends on the type of person doing the ordering. If I'm out with some of my skinnier friends, I think that while it'll be hard to see them order crappy food, I'd be more likely to order something healthier to show off to them. To show them I'm eating healthier. Whereas if the people ordering the crappy food had similar weight issues to mine, it would be easier to order crappy food because I wouldn't really care so much about their opinions. I think my thought process is pretty odd, but it's definitely true. When I was in PC, I mentioned that my friend "Veronica" had struggled with her weight and I didn't really care about what I was ordering. Then I went to lunch with a slim friend of mine, "Nina", and I took special care to order something healthy. They both know I had the surgery. They're both supportive. What's the difference? One is overweight and one has never struggled with her weight a day of her life. I need to stop associating my food choices with the people I'm with. This journey is about ME, not them. I don't think I'm alone in this thought process because I read an article about how it's harder to lose weight when you associate with people who are overweight. It's like we encourage each other to make bad choices. We're too sympathetic with each other and we allow each other to get away with bad choices.

On a happier note, my boyfriend got me the sweetest gift for my birthday. Apparently, he consulted a friend of mine and she told him to get me jewelry. After 2 days of searching, he just couldn't find any piece of jewelry he thought I'd like or thought I needed. So he started thinking of things I DO need. His decision? A new pair of athletic shoes! Now that I'm starting to work out more, have plans to join a gym, go walking and biking, I really needed a good pair of shoes. My current ones are slip on sneakers and offer no ankle support or stability. I've hurt my ankles repeatedly over the years and needed a pair that will keep them stabilized. I thought it was the sweetest gift ever and meant more to me than any pair of earrings or necklace he could have gotten me. He really thought about my needs and my current lifestyle and catered to it perfectly.