Elizabeth DeRobertis, RD, director of The Nutrition Center at The Scarsdale Medical Group, has graciously offered to weigh in on my progress (or lack thereof). Here is her take on my first week of action.

Unfortunately, even for someone as special as Jennifer Owens, there is no groundbreaking, magic bullet, super food, rapid weight loss, rev up your metabolism, lost 10 pounds the first week, diet planning secret that I can provide (or at least that I would feel good about recommending). That’s because the bottom line for weight loss is to reduce the calories you are taking in (and to burn more calories too).   

I know, I know, we have heard it before. But that’s because it’s the truth.  So the fact that Jennifer has heard a lot of this before actually means that it is good, credible information. Whenever we are looking for that quick fix (which it is human nature to do), most of us know in our hearts, it’s not the right way to do it. And it’s certainly not the most effective way to achieve permanent weight loss.

But what I CAN say, is that this IS going to be the time that Jennifer does things differently, in a way that she can maintain. This is going to be the time that she sticks with it, she has already turned on her internal GPS, and I have seen her recalculate and get back on track quickly.

• The main difference I see is the planning:
• Planning to bring healthy snacks.
• Planning to buy foods in the right portion size. 
• Planning to eat lower calorie foods first. 

By planning to do these things in advance, even with the most hectic schedule, on the busiest day, we do not need to rely on willpower.  Most people cannot lose weight on willpower alone.  We all need to put an effective plan in place.  And a plan that fits well into our schedule, and actually relieves stress instead of adding stress.  And I believe Jennifer has come up with a plan that she can stick with for the long term.  

This is a good time for everyone to think about their day, and when they need to rely on their willpower.  And then ask yourself what kind of plan can you put into place so you don’t have to rely on willpower?  For many people strategic snacking is the key to staying in control of their appetite.  Anytime we go too long without eating, we end up starving, and then overeating. 

No amount of willpower will keep you away from those brownies on the counter if you walk into your house starving after work and that’s the first thing you see. Instead, plan to bring two healthy afternoon snacks to work with you and space them out during the afternoon. Plan to keep your food environment safe, so you walk in and see a big bowl of clementines on the counter instead of a platter of brownies.

You won’t need to rely on willpower at all because you’ve already put a simple, yet effective plan into place.

Stay tuned for more strategic tips.  They may not be earth shattering, but I promise to get you thinking about weight loss in a different way — a way that works for busy moms and working women.  And a way that will created a really nice amount of weight loss that you will feel great about, and be able to stick with.