It's been a big week for me, "Dana's Daze" readers. I've turned a new leaf, I've been holding strong and I've resisted every french fry and chicken wing that has come my way.
That's right. For the 100,000th time that I've wrote this in a column, I'm for real, sticking-to-it dieting.
I know, I know. You're all probably laughing because I write at least twice a year that I'm dieting. But folks, this one is for real. As I type, I've been going two weeks strong and four pounds down. Forty-six more to go!
My poor friends and family. I feel like they are dieting with me. I've started Weight Watchers, so my life is now based on points. One breakfast bar, two points. A 16-count portion of Wheat Thins, two points. Dana one day being back down to the weight she was in college, priceless.
I'm serious, readers, I think this time it's really going to work. The amount of motivation I have working for me is through the roof.
I'm a part of the Fitness Challenge, sponsored by the Tribune Chronicle, so I have four teammates on me every week to drop the pounds, all in the good name of charity and competition. Also, I'm doing Weight Watchers with a friend of mine who keeps me in line every day. And finally, I have my own self-motivation.
In my bedroom, right next to my scale, two dresses are hanging. One is a dress that I bought on sale, which at this weight is nowhere near ready to wear. I knew I couldn't wear it when I bought it, but it was on clearance! Then there is another dress, in the same size, that I bought a few years ago and is my all-time, favorite dress. Then, in the middle, is a picture of me on my 21st birthday. I look happy and skinny, and that's how I want to look again. If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is.
However, I have found that there are tempters out there that I don't know if I'm strong enough to resist. The good thing about Weight Watchers is you can eat "bad" food, it just gives you less points for the rest of the day. But here's my problem: All of my favorite foods would be all of my points for an entire week. Onion rings, chicken tenders, spaghetti, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, cheeseburgers.... my list could go on.
The biggest temptation I have had to hurdle was last week during my family's weekly breakfast at Bob Evans. While I wanted nothing more than a western omelet with hash browns and biscuits, I stayed the good route, and went with a veggie omelet made with Egg Beaters, no cheese, wheat toast and fruit. Yummy.
Other than that, I haven't been "truly" tested. No fancy meals at delicious Italian restaurants or dinner at a steakhouse. And I haven't had dinner with my grandma's cooking. That will be the true test of my portioning willpower.
But in the end, I know it will all be worth it. And when it works, hopefully it will be the last dieting column I ever write.
Uh, oh. Better start thinking of more topics!