I'll give you one guess what that word is...give up?  It's Diet. That's right I'm going on a diet.  Although, I don't like to use the word Diet, I prefer lifestyle change.  Why am I torturing myself you may wonder, well mainly because I had two kids in three years and needless to say I'm not looking too svelte these days.  Also, I really do believe that you can be healthy while still enjoying good food.  In the past Weight Watchers always did the trick, but I've grown tired of counting points so I'm just taking a more realistic approach using some of the basic rules that I learned from my WW days.  Here's the plan:

1. Exercise - How I'm going to do this I'm not sure. I already get up at 5:30am Mon-Fri, but I know I won't get past ten pounds without it so I'll figure something out.  I guess that means getting up at 5am (I think I just heard Foodie Pam groan all the way from the left coast).

2. Eat More Whole Grains/Vegetables and Less Meat - I could totally be a vegetarian except when those cravings for a juicy rib-eye hit, but seriously I do need to spice up my vegetarian dinner night at home maybe do it twice a week. Three times might be pushing it for my husband. 

3. More Water - I admit it, High Fructose Corn Syrup and I are good friends, but I think its time to sever those ties. No more Coca Cola at 3pm when the stress of my day reaches its all time high.

4. No Junk Food - This won't be hard because I don't buy junk food, but my parents do and so do my grandparents so when I pick up the girls after work sometimes I just can't help but grab just one chip.  Also I do have a three year old and unfortunately she does know what a French fry is and it ain't those baked things that "Mommy" makes at home according to her.

5. Portion Control - This will be tough for me. After a long day at work I come home and un-wind in the kitchen.  I really do take pride in the meal I've prepared for my family; I mean how much can that second bowl of Spaghetti Carbonara hurt?  A lot apparently.  

So that's the plan. If any of you out there have any more tips for me please feel free to share.  Shortly before the holidays I started reading a book called "The Daily Fix" which has been pretty inspiring and I can't wait to get my hands on Mark Bittman's latest, although from what I hear it may put me off meat forever.  However, I know Lorna Sass's Whole Grains For Busy People will definitely help put me on the right path.  I'll update you guys from time to time to let you know what's working and what's not, sorry there will be no pictures unless I miraculously transform into Halle Berry.

Happy New Year!

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