Diet? I just met it!

Last year (February - August 2009) I lost 27 pounds.   November 2009 - May 2010, I gained 17 back.  I stopped exercising, AND I stopped watching what I was eating.  Huh. Funny how that happens.  So now I'm back to yoga (though my 30 days of yoga has been interrupted by illness, I'm still committed to do as much as I'm able), and am starting Weight Watchers again.  That's how I did it last year, so I know it works for me.  I always eat well, I have a problem with portion control.  Ok, and snacking.  That's why counting points works for me.  I can plan my portions and snacks and, let's face it, drinks for the day and make my food work better for me.

There is part of me that just shudders at "fat-free" and "light/lite" ingredients, but I have found that there are some that are actually acceptable, and they add up and make a difference.  Prime examples: Light mayo, fat free vanilla yogurt and fat free ReddiWhip. Also, high fiber bread.  And actually measuring things like portions of everything and the butter and oil I cook with.  If I use these ingredients and technique, I can afford to eat bigger bang ingredients in some of my cooking.  Some examples: I will not make a cream soup with skim, I eat real butter, and I will not live without good dark chocolate.  Also, I drink 2% milk and nobody's gonna change that.

So I'm going to plan my meals - every meal, not just dinner.  And plan my snacks. And drink a lot of water (look for my upcoming post about the greatest invention in the world, the SodaStream) and do a lot of yoga.  And walk around some of the 10,000 lakes that are available to me.

Here's my food plan for day one, and a great lunch recipe that kept me going last year and a new one I'm trying from this month's EatingWell.  My goal is 25 points (or less) a day.

Breakfast: 4.5 pts

1 egg, 1 egg white scrambled with 1/2 oz goat cheese served over sautéed greens and scallions.

Snack: 1 pt

1 cup cantaloupe

Lunch: 3 pts

Tuna Chickpea Salad (recipe follows)

Snack: 2 pts

14 baked tortilla scoops and 2 TBS salsa

Dinner: 7 pts

Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Vegetables  (Eating Well Recipe)

Wine: 6 pts

(4oz glass x 3, because who drinks a 4 oz glass of wine? It's really 6 oz glass x 2)

Snack: 1 pt

Jolly Time Microwave Kettle Corn, single serving

TOTAL 24.5

I also intend on doing at least 30 minutes of yoga, which gives me 2 activity points, netting me 22.5 for the day. That way I have 2.5 points wiggle room - or a really ambitious start.

I'll let you know how it goes.  Day one is always exciting.  I promise not to make this into a Weight Watchers journal, but may reference points in my recipes for those of you who are playing along at home.

Here's the recipe for my delicious lunch.

Chickpea and Tuna Salad
Makes 4 servings

15.5oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

5oz can of tuna (I use solid white albacore in water), drained

1 medium red onion, chopped

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 c parsley, chopped

Dressing:

1/8 c fat free plain yogurt

1/8 c light mayonnaise

1/2 TBS Dijon mustard

1/2 TBS lemon juice

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

 Place first six ingredients in a medium bowl.  In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients.  Combine with the tuna/chickpea mixture.

SO - What are some full fat ingredients that you won't live without?

*Pictures:
TOP: from December 2008 - this was posted on Facebook by a friend and inspired me to do something.
BOTTOM: August 20, 2009 - In Nashville for Rifftrax Live.