Step away from that box of chocolates.

Seems like every week since the beginning of the New Year, we’ve had a reason to backslide on our promise to eat better. The Super Bowl. Birthday Parties. Valentine’s Day. Next up: Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day… need I go on?

I’m going to keep this short and not so sweet. This is what you need to do if you seriously want to lose a couple of pounds by April Fools Day. I’m going to do this as well and I’ll let you know how it works.

1. Weigh yourself: Now multiply your weight by 13. That number is how many calories you need to maintain your current weight. You’ll need to reduce your calorie in-take by 500 a day if you want to lose 1-pound a week.

2. Eat Breakfast: Duh. You know this, but you need to practice it everyday. Opt for something healthy, not what’s easiest.

3. Stick to serving sizes: If the nutrition label says a portion is ONE SLICE, then only have ONE SLICE. I will be really hard at first because we’re all used to eating more and not really realizing it.

4. Eating out? Order half as much: If the restaurant won’t let you order half of an entrée item, have them split it in the kitchen and package it in a take-away container. That way you won’t be tempted to eat more in the restaurant. Enjoy the other half for lunch the next day.

5. Quit snacking: I snack while I’m cooking and preparing school lunches… a slice of avocado, a few chips, the remainder of a broken cookie… (OK… a martini or a glass of wine as GP and I are making dinner.) It all adds up.

That’s it. I could go on and on, telling you to eat on a smaller plate, put more veggies in your diet and exercise. But I won’t, because you’ve heard it all before. Give this a try and let me know.

I’m starting at 137 lbs. I’ll let you know what I weigh on April 1. Good luck (I know I’ll need it… thank goodness Lent is right around the corner—Mama usually gives up booze and sweets!).

 

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