Happy New Year

I was a very bad girl this holiday season. Had too many glasses of wine, which immediately makes me eat more, and today, the first day back to work in the new year, I'm feeling fat, bloated, fatigued and genuinely angry at myself.

Now that I've confessed, it's time to get over it and get back to work. So what did the holidays prove? That I'm way too normal, have the willpower of a toad, and have to learn to "just say no" this year.

Why? Because my darling Kara is marrying adorable Bryan in 116 days, and I am in no shape to assume my role as MOB. I know I am supposed to be eating healthy because it is the right thing to do, but fuggedabout that. I need a goal, and less than 17 weeks is scaring me into taking drastic measures.

Two years ago I went on a really ridiculous diet called the 1st Personal Diet. I lost a ton of weight, which I promptly gained back as soon as I started eating like a normal person again. Duh!

But I did come to love some of the principles of that diet, and plan to incorporate these into my daily eating.

1. Alcohol is gone from my diet until the wedding. That's really OK, since I had more than enough the past month to tide me over.

2. I will have "mushroom pizza" each morning for breakfast. Mushrooms, sprinkled with shredded mozzarella and cooked in the microwave for 1 minute. It certainly is nothing like pizza, but I actually like it. A lot. And it fills me up.

3. Water. It's back in my diet. It's been gone. There's just so much space for liquids each day, and between coffee and wine, I met my goal during the holidays.

4. No sugar. I already admitted to drinking enough wine over the holidays to get me through until the wedding. I ate enough sugar to get me through till next year.

5. My noon salad: spinach, arugula, a diced apple, and a grilled chicken breast, dressed with balsamic vinegar.

6. Dinner: vegetable, salad and grilled poultry or fish.

7. Two more fruits each day.

8. Rice crackers when I am really hungry, but no more than 18 a day.

OK -- Day 1. I'll let you know tomorrow how the day worked out. And just one more thing: It really is good to be back writing again. It just might keep me on track.