Now that I’ve booked my ticket, reserved the apartment and done the math, I realize that in order for me to weigh 180 by the time I leave for Paris, I have to really start paying attention to every morsel I shove, place, drop or lower into my mouth.

So, in no particular order, it means I need to cut out many things I love:

Wine
Booze
Excessive quantities of really good cheese
Sugar of any sort

Wine, as I’ve mentioned, is the hardest. Not only do I love the flavor, truth be told, I also really do like the way it relaxes me. Over the last two weeks I’ve mercilessly cut it out of my daily diet, so that now I no longer have it every day.

If I’m totally truthful, I do find that I feel a little better in general by laying off the sauce. Just a little lighter of spirit (no pun intended) and clearer of head. But I do miss it. I like coming home from work, pouring a glass and enjoying a slothful night in front of the television. Herbal tea (my replacement drink) just doesn’t have the same effect.

One of the realizations I’m coming to is that thinner people just don’t drink as much as I do (or did). I think that maybe they have a glass or two of wine a week (not a night). Much as I hate to admit the reality of the situation, I think I have to adapt to their way if I want to lose weight. Because my way doesn’t seem to have the same effect. My way has gotten me into the situation I’m in today, where I weigh too much.

Maybe I’ve come to see that my wine habits are increasing my girth. In the hard light of morning, there isn’t any wine to hide the flab. Reality, as they say, bites.