Diet is a dirty word...

so I refuse to call it a diet, but I'm trying like heck to make some changes to my eating habits. It's not the New Year that has gotten me motivated, but it's the fact that my next annual physical is due in July/August. At my last physical, a couple of my blood test results were not quite where I would like them to be. Since diabetes and heart problems run in my family, it's time to make some changes so I can see some better results at this year's physical. God knows, I still have plenty of waiting time to concentrate on this.

Over the past 1.5 weeks, I've lost 5 pounds on my non-diet (I think I shocked my system...what, no fries?). I've got about 10 more pounds to get back to my dossier weight (yes, I'm a stress eater), then another 50 pounds to start feeling more comfortable in my skin. Here's my non-diet plan:

• Eating lots of fresh fruit and veggies - 2 to 3 servings of fruit per day and fresh veggies (raw, grilled, sauteed)

• Eating whole grain breads, oatmeal and high fiber cereals - We tried the new Ronzoni pasta last night that's between regular pasta and whole wheat pasta. It has 3x the fiber than regular pasta and added calcium...tasted like the regular stuff to me.

• Reducing saturated fats in favor of olive oil and nuts (better for you fats).

• Reducing the amount of "processed" foods and eating more fresh foods.

• Cooking with fresh herbs, garlic and citrus. Dill and a little olive oil is fabulous on roasted baby carrots. I've also discovered that home-made pesto is really good and just a few spins of the food processor (makes me wish I had a basil plant).

• Eating grilled fish once or twice a week. We are having grilled honey teriyaki salmon with garlic parmesan green beans tonight.

• Drastically reducing sweets...my Starbucks non-fat mochas have gone from daily to once or twice a week. The rest of the time I make my own Starbucks breakfast blend at the office.

• Eating healthy, small snacks between meals - a few wheat crackers and one of those Laughing Cow cheese wedges, oranges, apples, grapes, popcorn, etc...

• Last, but definitely not least since this is the hardest part for me, is drastically reducing my serving sizes. If something tastes good, I have no control and just keep eating until I'm stuffed. I'm trying to be more conscience of when I'm starting to get full and backing away from the plate!

I know that my non-diet is really just plain, old-fashioned healthy eating, but for me it's some pretty big changes and you know what they say about change...it's not always easy. It takes effort, especially at dinner time to come up with quick and healthy alternatives to fast food and restaurant take-out.

Well, wish me luck and jump on the bandwagon if you can muster up the motivation. I know it's hard, but at some point you need to just make the decision to start. Also, I'd love any suggestions or recipes you all may have for fresh, healthy dinner options.