Hello all,
For any of you guys celebrating the holiday, what strategies are you going to use? We will be visiting family and friends, and you know how the whole thing goes...you don't want to offend anyone by not eating the food they prepared...I talked to my counseler about it, I think I'll be ok...just watch my portions, doing the meal on my own with exchanges ...just wondering what everyone else is doing....I am a little worried about chocolate...that is my biggest downfall...I'm an addict! I don't keep any in the house, even before I joined JC. I know my son is getting at least 3 Easter baskets this year, one from us...with very little candy, and who knows what the other two baskets will have...knowing my inlaws there will be a ton of chocolate in that basket...My son is not a big chocolate eater. He likes it once in a while...but I end up eating most of it. I hate to throw it out, but don't want it around either....My husband won't eat it..I don't want to be a killjoy, but I don't think it is good for my son to have all that candy anyway, and some people go overboard. If we ask people not to give him candy it will cause hurt feellings and I don't want to do that. At Christmas and Halloween, I ate a ton of chocolate...and my son still has suckers left from Christmas! I know I will be ok....it just makes things more of a challenge. Thanks for letting me vent.

One of my number one rules is that you should NEVER eat anything because someone else wants you to. If your refusing food that is not good for you hurts someone's feelings, it is THEIR problem, not yours. Eating to please other people is one thing that makes us overweight in the first place.
You do not have to go into a song and dance about being on JC or even on a diet. People don't watch your plate as much as you think they do. Again, if they do, the problem lies with them and you have no obligation to make them happy by eating things that you know you shouldn't. If you are offered food, a simple, "No thank you" should suffice. You don't owe anyone an explanation. If they press, you can say, "I'm not that hungry," and leave it at that. If they are obnoxious about it, ask them, "Why is what I eat so important to you?"
I understand the concept of food as hospitality and community, and heartily endorse it still. You can share a meal with people, partake of their offerings, and enjoy all the benefits WITHOUT overeating. When I prepare food for others I want them to enjoy it and be satisfied, but the definition of that is up to them, not me.

Any and all candy, I would package up and put it out of sight while there and either leave it there when I leave or take it with me and then have my husband take it to work with him to share or if I have to I'll bring it to my work, place it way far away from my area for others to share. (WOW, is that a long run on sentence or what?) The more of the candy they eat, the more I lose.
I'm not too worried food wise. I'll bring my JC lunches and snacks. Breakfast I'll be fine with and I'll watch my portion at dinner. Besides, Easter dinner only comes once a year and we'll be fine sticking with what we are learning from Jenny.
Happy Easter Everyone!