12W12S: Phase Two

So my original 12 weeks and 12 steps are up, and it's time to do some serious evaluation of myself. Here is what I got out of my self-designed program so far:

• Taking baby steps? AWESOME. Because they're totally stick-to-able. (Yes, I know this is a fundamental tenet of Weight Watchers and stuff, but it's like most kinds of therapy: you are not helped until you admit that you are ready to be helped. The Rules don't work until you are ready to follow the rules.)
• Designing a diet around Mountain Dew? ALSO AWESOME. Because who feels like they're on a diet when you're allowed to have Mountain Dew every day? Not that I actually drink it every day -- I brought a bunch with me on vacation, and only had like three of them, and two of them were on the same day -- but knowing that an indulgence is not only allowed, but practically encouraged? Unbelievably liberating.
• It's a good thing I am a decent cook who can make meals that fit into my calorie budget as well as making my husband and daughter happy, or else we'd all be screwed. When G and I did Weight Watchers together many years ago, we both got sick of it pretty quickly because we were eating a lot of chicken and brown rice and bleargh. Now? Not so much, and I'm still down about 40 lbs.
• Greek yogurt is DA BOMB.

Now that we're here and I'm still having continued success, I need to revamp the plan a little bit. I'm going to continue to use LoseIt! because it's been such a helpful tool, and I really hope that it goes live in an Internet version soon so I can get all my friends to use it. Based on what LoseIt! is telling me my calorie limits are (currently 1,520 per day), I want to try to structure my menu as follows:

• Breakfast ≤300 calories (includes protein, carb, fruit)
• Lunch ≤400 calories (includes entree, vegetable)
• Dinner ≤600 calories (includes protein, carb, vegetables)
• Snacks ≤200 calories (includes daily Mountain Dew allotment and desserts)

I am also going to try to eat a vegetarian entree for lunch or dinner at least twice a week, and I am going to try to eat fish or shellfish for lunch or dinner at least twice a week. Not for any particular reason except that I think it will expand my options and challenge my menu-planning abilities.