Twelfth Night

"It's not that some people have willpower and some don't. It's that some people are ready to change and others are not."
—James Gordon, M.D

Readying myself for Phase Two, I wonder what all people wonder who are getting ready for their 'graduation:' Am I ready? Can I make it in Phase Two? Will I find the relaxed restrictions too relaxed? Will I need to go back to Phase One (as many people, according to the book, do when they find their weight going in the wrong direction)?

Breathe. Take it easy. OK. I was able to wear my black courdoroys today (fashion lovers rejoice!) which is fascinating because for about a year i have only been able to get one leg into them. OK, that's an exaggeration but the truth is I could REASONABLY wear them out of the house, or even down the stairs. Today, I was able to do that. They may not be great pants and the truth is I don't love them, but I did love them today for proving that I have shed inches, even if it's impossible to tell. It doesn't matter anyway since in general I feel better, and it has enabled me to do better at work (though my co-workers could disagree) and get back to reading at home, and of course, having more energy all around.

Breakfast
Jennie-O Turkey Bacon (2 Strips)
2 Eggs Over Easy
Tea

Snacks
30 Cashews (I was like, so hungry)
Cheese Stick
25 Calorie Coffee Nip (see below)

Lunch:
Brazilian BBQ:
Chicken Nobs (2)
Black Beans
Cauliflower & Broccoli
Green Beans
Sausage (Linguica)

Dinner
Chinese
Beef Teryiaki
Spicy Green Beans
Garlicky Pea Greens
Shrimp & Broccoli

Dessert
Chok'lit Fudgcicle


There is a lot to say about today's eating. For years I was a regular at Bello's—the Brazilian BBQ Buffet. I know, it sounds awful—and in some ways it's just as bad as you think, but the food is very good and I knew they would have a lot of vegetables. I really couldn't eat another salad with chicken, plus it was snowing, and if you've lived on the East Coast, you've just about had it with that. Unlike EVERY other time at Bello's, I filled my plate with vegetables, then got two pieces of chicken and sausage. I remember sausage being in a recipe in the South Beach book (couldn't find it just now, but I will). In any event, I left over half the sausage and half 1 chicken nob, which is really a landmark and you can mark March 11th down because I don't remember leaving over meat in any meal in my adult life. This was made possible by 'hearing the diet in my head' and eating all my vegetable first.

Emily's family was here, so we got Chinese for dinner, and there was a lot of food. This diet is both good and bad because of its absence of guidelines for food portions. You are supposed to 'eat until you're not hungry.' I can tell you that in my past life I ate way beyond that point. But tonight I did not—just a lot of veggies and a few sticks of meat. To repeat, because I myself find it unbelievable—I don't miss the rice, or the noodles. And anyone can tell you I loved that stuff.

Lastly, I picked up a bag of coffee nips, which I noticed have 25 calories each as opposed to 30 for the carmel ones. Was this a flavor differential? No, apparently not. It has to do with whether you get a box or bag of nips. the boxes contain larger candies, so they have more calories. Tip: avoid the bags, unless you're on this diet. When you have only 75 calories to spend on sweets, the little bags give the old threefer.