This is the FIRST time since I started my first diet at age 12 that I attended a function with dreamy desserts (pretty tartlets, cheesecakes, and brownies drive me wild) and managed to take only one dessert; a chocolate chip cookie! I publicly announced to my husband that I am done with dieting; instead I am going to do full-focus on new attitudes toward food. I used to have my own version of that portion plate that shows how much of various food groups to have- half dessert, a fourth carbs, and a fourth “other”. It is a wonder I didn’t even gain more weight over the years than I did! I am realistic, this does not mean I will be a one dessert girl forevermore. I achieved this triumph by mentally picturing myself at the event before I left home. I pictured myself at the buffet line passing up rolls and substituting potato salad for a small portion of bean salad. I am glad that many functions involving buffets seem to offer more healthy choices than in the past. Another first for me was that I ate normal meals before leaving- in the past, I would have skipped eating at home due to guilt and the thought that I would be able to eat more calories at the event. This would result not only in eating too much out, but also feeling hungry later that day and eating again! A “normal” eater would think, “So what is such a big deal about all that?” but for a lifetime binge eater like me, these are huge steps.