How to be a Foodie on 21 Points a Day

The tsunami of Christmas indulgences has finally receded for another year. Back to tracking, measuring, planning and fighting with self control. Good times. For those of you who know me, my weight loss struggle has been lifelong, but I'm proud to say it's been successful in the past year: I’ve lost 35 lbs so far, went from a size 18 to a size 10, and can physically do so much more than I used to when I was carrying that load around all the time. But I can't tell you how hard it is to be a wine lover and foodie, and still try to lose weight.

This holiday season was a prime example: how could I possibly pass up tourtière tarts, rum balls, egg nog, pâté, and leftover turkey sandwiches oozing with mayo? Not to mention all the chardonnays, rieslings, pinot noirs, gamays and shirazes? And sparklers? And cocktails?? (Mercifully, an entire bottle of wine is only eight Points. With a good workout, I can somehow squeeze that in to my week's allocation ...)

Dinners out are murder. Fast food was easy to give up; I never really liked that greasy, cement-block feeling in my stomach that came after a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. But with fine dining, how am I supposed to know how much fat, sugar and artery-clogging ingredients have gone into the magnificent meal I'm about to ingest? I do my best to make "smart choices", like opting out of bread, having salad with dressing on the side, sharing dessert. However, there are times when I just have to say, "Points be damned!" and savour every delectable mouthful. (Like foie gras at Domus. So, SO worth it.)

And parties? The rule is to not station yourself right next to the buffet table, but I've had many moments of weakness when faced with tandoori skewers, simmered meatballs, baklava and gourmet cheese trays. (Those boxes of pre-made, frozen pastry nibbles are a NIGHTMARE. A tasty, tasty nightmare ...)

Like a bajillion other people around the world, I'll be starting off 2009 with the hopes of getting rid of some of the desserts, drinks and snacks that have materialized at my waistline. Actually, I'm hoping to start *before* the new year, like TODAY even. But those butter cookies sitting on the desk across the way are looking awfully good ...