Our companions make a difference. The old rule of thumb was to examine your five closest friends-  because they tell a great deal about you.  Now, there’s data that roommates (at colleges) dramatically affect the thinking of one another.  If you are assigned a depressed or negative outlook individual- the odds are your outlook will begin to match theirs.

And, when we go out to eat socially, what others order can affect our choices. Because we don’t want to explain why we choose certain foods and also because we can be tempted by their choices.

Which is something with which I am very familiar.  After all, I have been keeping kosher for a very, very long time. And, when I go out for a business meeting (or even went out  on a date), it was always an issue for my companions.  (I am bullheaded enough- and believe in what I am doing- that it is not an issue for me.) And, it’s how I can advise friends and clients how they can maintain their diets- to insure they are not part of the obese revolution that is taking over America.

The first trick is to recognize that your diet is critical.  In my case, it’s the recognition that we need to make cognizant choices, to remember that the Supreme Being wants us to keep our bodies holy.  If you are on a diet, then you recognize it’s the only way you will lose weight or keep the excess pounds off your frame.

You- and I- need to plan ahead, to know what it is that we plan to eat.  Because having a few choices available means that we won’t be tempted by impulse to “go off the reservation”.

It also helps if you eat with other folks who are watching what they eat.  Choosing to eat with folks who are following the same (or similar) diets is what most religious Jews have been doing for millenia- eating with others who keep kosher, so their choices are easier.  (You know- following the group behavior.)

It also helps if you explain your choices in advance.  I- and my friends who keep kosher- clearly explain to others with whom we dine- that we have restrictions on our choices.  And, that’s why we want to avoid certain restaurants- where our choices tend to be totally unavailable.

That’s the same sort of behavior you need to follow if you want to maintain a diet (any sort of diet- to lose weight, keeping kosher, vegetarian, ovolactarian, etc.)- to choose restaurants that you know will have those tasty salads, the lean fish, or where you can avoid those rich desserts.

Your health (and/or your beliefs)  depends upon it.

Share this: