So, with the dieting new lifestyle choices and all, I am learning a bit about food. Apparently, I had taken fruit and dairy completely out of my eating repertoire without noticing when I decided to count calories. That’s not so good ya’ll. I discovered my error when I looked at this food plan that a friend of mine uses. Well, then I went looking at my personalized food pyramid, and it’s different, though not by much. At least on the surface.

Once you get beyond the surface, there are big differences. The most important one to me is that I can meet my calorie limits on the first one, and even indulge in an occasional treat, but on the food pyramid, I am consistently going over the 1200-1300 calories that I have allotted myself while I need to lose weight. I know that’s what it takes for me to drop the pounds. OTOH, I know that the habits I create during this time of transition are the ones that will stick with me and affect my health for years to come. I also know that I haven’t had enough calcium/magnesium/vitamin D on a daily basis since I finished high school, and that, at 40, it’s time to start thinking about bone density and such. Probably past time.

Obviously, I am going to have to look at my food choices again. Comparing the plans, the amount of protein and dairy/protein is about the same, the major difference is the amount of grains. I’m thinking that I should cut a couple of grains for now, so that my body has to burn fat for energy. After all, cheating myself of dairy at this point is kinda like taking legal steroids to build muscle mass but not exercising: it’s just not going to work long term. Besides, I have it on good authority that Vitamin D helps fight winter depression, and that would suit me just fine.