When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Proverbs 23:1-3 NIV

The biggest challenge to dieting for me is being American. We eat off platters. We expect all-you-can-eat portions. We eat a ton of meat. We build large muscles. We have fad diets. We worship skinny people and make fun of fat people.

That’s just weird.

We are strange.

When I crafted my diet, with the guidance of professionals, I made a point to address portion sizes. This simple concept finally struck me as my biggest obstacle when I was up to eating entire cartons of ice cream and boxes of pizza on a regular basis.

So, I began learning what a portion size really was. I had to retrain my brain to understand what a half cup of cereal felt like in my stomach. I had to learn that 28 almonds was more than enough. I had to figure out that a portion of salad really could stay with me as long as a serving of chicken.

Only now do I feel truly qualified to eat out without blowing my diet. Now, I can have any plate put in front of me, carve out the portions I will eat in my meal, and set aside the rest.

The temptation is still there. It would be so easy to eat the larger portions placed in front of me. It would be easy to overindulge in the cheesy, sweet or oily options. It would be easy to chase after the empty calories on the plate. It would be easy to enjoy a glass or two of wine. Those foods are deceptive. I have studied them to learn why I should not partake in them.

Certainly, when I have reached my goals, I can occasionally dine out and enjoy some of those things. But I shall never return to the old ways, or I will face certain, early death.

And I have so much to live for.

I have two daughters.

I have future grandchildren.

I have close friends, brothers and sisters.

I have an incredible church.

I have a ministry.

I have a service.

I have you.