Last night as I was planning today's menu, I realized this is not a temporary eating plan.  I am not "dieting", I'm learning how to eat for the rest of my life. 

I was a little sad - I love sweets. :)  But then I put it into perspective.  Instead of eating sweets almost every day, I eat one dessert a week, usually on the weekend.  I plan for it and try to make it special, though sometimes it may be as simple as ice cream and topping.  That is 52 - FIFTY TWO - desserts a year!!  If I had a different dessert each week, that's a lot of variety. 

It helps when I think I'm depriving myself.  I'm not.  I'm just postponing a pleasure for a few days.