Diet Equals "Die" Plus "T"

I believe it was Garfield the Cat who first observed that the word "diet" is spelled "die" with a "t." For much of my life I was underweight, so I never paid much attention to diet or exercise. As I have grown older, though, I have also grown heavier. At first my weight gain was a good thing, as my body filled out to regular proportions. When I recently passed the "normal" body-mass-index level, though, I decided it was time to meet with my doctor to figure out how to regain control of my body.

one portion of meat under the meal plan

The first week on the new diet-and-exercise plan was extremely challenging. Not only did I have to learn to think about food in a new way -- counting portions of different food groups rather than eating until satisfied -- and figure out how to fit exercise sessions into my busy schedule, but I also had to participate in a number of special events revolving around food. The same day I met with my doctor, for example, I took my mother out on a previously scheduled dim sum lunch to thank her for all the babysitting she does. The day after my doctor's appointment, several family members and I went to a seafood restaurant for lunch to celebrate my father's birthday. (Of course we had to have dessert ....) Two days later, my office took our intern out to a restaurant in Chinatown for a farewell lunch. The next evening my parents volunteered to babysit my son, so my husband and I had a luxurious dinner that involved cheese, meat and chocolate fondues with plenty of dipping foods. The very next day, I prepared a special lunch for my father and my father-in-law to celebrate their birthdays. (Of course we had to have dessert that day, too.)

To my surprise, I have not gained any extra weight since starting on the new diet-and-exercise plan despite all these extravagant meals. On the contrary, since I started the program two weeks ago, I have lost four-and-a-half pounds. I am not exactly sure how this is possible; I suspect I am exercising sufficiently to compensate for the large meals. I also avoid eating much the rest of the day whenever I have a special meal.

We'll see how long I can keep this up. My next doctor's appointment will be in one month. Will I still be on the program then, or will I have quit from exhaustion, frustration or boredom? So far I haven't felt particularly deprived -- although I do miss my daily chocolate truffles and cups of chai latte -- and the exercise hasn't been too strenuous for me, so perhaps I will be able to stay on the plan. I hope so; I really WOULD like to fit into a number of my favorite clothes again ....