I'm tired of my old diet. Forget that it works, that I took off over 20 lbs and have been successful in keeping it off for over two years.

It's boring.

Doc: Lose Weight By Limiting Flavors

Forget counting carbs and calories. Obesity researcher Dr. David Katz says the way to lose weight is to limit flavors.

Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, says people stop eating when the brain's appetite center registers "full." But eating lots of flavors promotes overeating because different sensors must register full for appetite to subside, Katz says.

[....]

Instead, Katz advocates flavor-themed meals — an apple day, for example, or a sesame day, even an occasional chocolate day.

The idea is perhaps less boring than it sounds. For example, pineapple day features pineapple juice and cereal for breakfast; pineapple-walnut chicken salad and crackers for lunch; pineapple shrimp, bulgur, sauteed peas and tossed salad for dinner; and caramelized pineapple rings for dessert.

I don't think I need the book. When it comes time for Apple Day or Mushroom Day or Broccoli Day, I think I can recognize these substances without assistance.

I have to admit though...I'm pretty excited about Pineapple Day. Just reading that menu has me salivating.

Actually, it doesn't look that different from my current diet, except for eating the same flavors on the same day.

Whether Katz's diet works because it limits flavors, or because it promotes healthy eating and exercise, is unclear, Raynor said. "If you're eating healthy and exercising, you're going to lose weight," she said.

For most of us, that's very true.

And, if that's the case, why shouldn't I have Food Theme Days if it amuses me? I can wile away the hours of unemployment planning Theme Days.

Although I worked over 60 hours in December and so far this month I've worked close to 40 hours, so my "unemployment" isn't really the endless stretch of leisure days you might be imagining.

(And, on that front, Coco's mother is now seriously ill, so no movement on that front for a month or two. Buehler has had good feedback from the Potential New Client, but he also mentioned casually today that he's not really expecting any movement until April.

Because of these things, I'm now thinking I'll have to cancel Escapade.)

(Although...I'm still flirting with the idea of just sticking it on my credit card and worrying about it in March, you know? I love Escapade and the panel list that's up for voting for this year is very tempting.)