Not much to report the past few days. I have not been as careful this week as last, so I'm not losing any weight--just trying to be stable until Monday when I'll do another push. I am so close to my goal weight that it's hard to be strict about another couple pounds.

Weekends are still the biggest challenge. Today I took my mom and two of her friends to tea. The food that comes with tea service is anything but normal healthy-foodie fare, not to mention the healthy foodie on a weight-reduction eating plan. Oops, again. My husband and I also have plans to dine out with friends Saturday night. So you see why I say, my best hope is to hold on to the loss of last week and start in fresh on Monday, or probably Sunday. 'Taint easy, is it?

Since we don't like the "d" word when it comes to weight control or weight loss, I'll just call it my eating plan.

Day 2 has been a busy work day and I didn't have much time to think about food. Instead of snacks, when possible I was able to chew a little sugarless gum or drink water or mint tea with Splenda. Thus far my calories through B/L/D have toted up to about 1200, so I'll still be able to have a little bedtime snack--probably a 150-calorie chocolate pudding cup (Kozy Shack brand, I think).

But what am I giving up? Wine, which is one of the things that I DON'T have on this eating plan that I usually do let creep into my meals or snacks when I'm not paying close attention. When I need to lose a few pounds, wine becomes just a weekend treat and not an everyday drink with dinner. That goes for any other alcohol. Other foods that I give up or cut way back on include jam on my morning toast/english muffins, bread and other starches with dinner, and almost all sugary treats.

I already eat lots of veggies and fruits, so the weight-loss plan doesn't do anything different there.  

And finally, Mary Ann and I both agree that it's important for our health -- and yours, gentle reader -- to monitor weight and change any bad habits when we've gone a few pounds (say 5) over where we ought to be. Otherwise, 5 pounds becomes 10, which morphs into 20, and pretty soon it's a catastrophe!

At the beginning of the summer my weight was right where I wanted it. But a (marvelous) 12 days in Italy got me off track and I haven't been able to get back to where I once belonged, weight wise.

After many false starts and attempts at conquering the beast through "cutting back," today I started the write-it-down method that is the only one that has ever worked for me. I just write down everything I eat and estimate the total calories of each meal. At the end of the day, I tote it up and hope it's no more than about 1600 calories. 

The day in food so far:

Breakfast--cut up canteloupe pieces, whole wheat English muffin with cottage cheese spread, hot tea with Splenda and fat-free half & half  (about 350 calories)

Lunch--salad from the Kroger salad bar, consisting of lettuce & spinach, shredded carrots, a few beets, chopped tomatoes, raw cauliflower florets, cottage cheese (instead of dressing), red bell pepper slices, 2-3 strawberries cut up, and a tablespoon each of dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.  Also as a snack between meals I had about 1 1/2 cups of sliced orange bell pepper and sugar snap peas. (about 350 calories)

How do I get the calorie counts? In addition to reading the labels for some foods, I have a booklet that lists the calories of a lot of produce and other ingredients that don't come with labels--you can find them in a supermarket or a large drugstore. But I don't really consult it any more because I know how to estimate calories.

 Another very important factor that keeps me slim (or slim enough)--I do aerobic exercise for a minimum of 45 minutes every day, whether it's a walk in my hilly Clifton neighborhood or a spinning or other class at my gym, or both on some days. It really does help to keep your weight down if you are burning calories by being active. 

Dinner will be grilled halibut with a topping I'll make of sauteed leeks, onions and red bell pepper, along with steamed broccoli. Because my husband has a metabolism that runs on high all the time (he thus never gains weight), I'll also give him a few thick slices of multi-grain bread that he'll dip in olive oil. 

I only need to lose a few pounds, so we'll see how it goes.

Next posting, I'll share what it is I'm giving up on this eating plan--that is, what I would have had without this discipline.

We're excited about trying the new Local 127 on Friday -- that's 127 4th St downtown site of the late, great Jean-Robert at Pigall's. The restaurant works with local farmers, dairies, ranchers and others to bring fresh, seasonal cooking to Cincinnati. We have heard nothing but good things about the food. Report to come!