What's to eat?

One of the delightful surprises about losing weight is that other people have said my success has helped to inspire them. This happened last summer, when I shed 28 pounds in three months, and one of my colleagues at work said she knew the program could work for her because it had worked for me and I was a "real person" (as opposed to an actress on TV). At the dentist's office yesterday, one of the assistants noticed my weight loss and asked me how I did it. I told her and she said she belonged to Weight Watchers, too, but hadn't been to a meeting in a while. But she promised to go that day and said she would update me on her progress at my next visit (at least I'll have a reason now to look forward to going to the dentist).

So, in that spirit of letting other people know my recipe for success, here's a typical day's menu. Keep in mind that it is impossible to lose weight -- and keep it off -- without exercising. I'm fortunate that a number of my friends are going to join me on my walks this fall and that the security guard at the gym asks me where I was if I miss a morning on the treadmill. Finding people who will look out for you, and keep you on track, is extremely important for success.

Breakfast: A bowl of Trader Joe's high-fiber cereal (preferably topped with fresh berries; otherwise, it's a little bland)
Vitamins

Mid-morning snack: 94 percent fat-free popcorn

Lunch: Four slices of turkey and a piece of sugar-free chocolate
OR a 6-inch Veggie Delite sub on wheat bread from Subway
OR a small salad with a piece of fish on top

Mid-afternoon snack: Fresh fruit or edamame
OR a special treat like a tall, light Strawberries and Creme frap from Starbucks or a soft-serve vanilla ice cream cone from McDonald's (the frap and ice cream have about 150 calories each)

Dinner: Fish, baked or grilled (a good spice rack helps liven it up)
OR chicken, baked or grilled
OR lean meat
OR whole-wheat pasta spritzed with olive oil
Vegetables are good, too

Dessert: Fat-free plain yogurt topped with fresh berries

And, to drink, Diet Sunkist or Diet Coke. I used to hate the taste of Diet Coke and swear I would never, ever drink it. But I think my taste buds have changed, and now I'm a devotee. You simply cannot lose weight and keep it off drinking caloried soda. (Of course, I have the occasional glass (or two) of wine and the occasional margarita/Cosmo/White Russian/hard cider/beer, too, because life is too short to not enjoy them. But occasional is the key word.)