The Diet

More than two weeks ago I came clean and announced I was going to lose nine pounds and I figured it was time for an update. As of this morning I was down three pounds. Which means I have six more to go. I have to admit I wasn't great the first week. I didn't account for the calories that added up when I nibbled on what was left of the kids' snack, or stuck my hand in the candy jar at the office. But I've been on the straight and narrow all this week. I'm not saying I didn't do those things. But if I did, I compensated for the calories somewhere else. And it paid off. Go me.

Sunday through Friday I keep to a strict diet -- 1200 to 1500 calories (Saturday is cheat day -- more on that later). Which isn't easy. You'd be surprised how quickly that adds up. But I've found some tasty foods that are 1) I quick and easy to prepare (important when you have three kids) 2) filling, and 3) low cal. Here are some of my favorite breakfasts (my current favorite is the scrambled eggs in toast) and lunches:

BREAKFAST
1 egg white, ½ oz. cheddar cheese, scrambled. 1 piece of white/wheat bread, toasted and buttered lightly. Wrap eggs in bread. Salt to taste. (150 calories).
2 hardboiled egg whites (all the protein is in the whites and all the calories are in the yolk), 1 piece toast, lightly buttered (120 cals.)
Egg salad (1 whole hardboiled egg, one hardboiled egg white mixed with 1 T light mayo), fruit (200 calories)
Pancakes, made according to package directions (blueberries optional), lightly buttered but no syrup (150 calories for 3 small pancakes)
Instant grits mixed with ½ oz. cheese and salt to taste (150 calories).
Cottage cheese (½ cup) topped with cereal of choice (150 calories).

LUNCH
Krab salad wrapped in lettuce leaves (3 fake krab sticks, chopped; 1 hardboiled egg white, chopped; 1 T light mayo), 1 oz. chips, fruit (400 calories)
Egg salad (see above) wrapped in lettuce leaves, chips (350 calories)
Quesadilla (tortilla with 1 oz. cheddar cheese, folded in half and grilled in a skillet) with salsa, fruit (350 calories)
Beans and rice (1 cup rice, cooked; mixed with 1 can black beans, drained; and salsa/cumin to taste for a batch. One serving is one cup), with shredded cheddar cheese, fruit (300 calories)
PB&J: 1 T natural peanut butter, jelly, 1 piece white/wheat toast; chips (300 calories)

DINNER:
Coming soon.....