Dave,
one recommendation, what to do with the carb-full social gatherings. Have a FULL dinner with two big glasses water before you are leaving for the get-together.

My favorite snack for parties: salmon/egg/lime on cheese bed. Or mini cheese/meat sandwiches with colorful red, orange, purple, yellow, green bell pepper strips. Somehow nobody misses the bread under the sandwiches.
Welcome to the forum:-)