Can a WineGeek diet successfully?

Like so many Americans, I need to drop some weight. We're not talking a few vanity pounds, but rather 30+ pounds. Health is not an issue right now, and I want to keep it that way by slimming down. We all know the various diets out there (Atkins, South Beach, etc.). I'm particularly intrigued by the Brigham Young University professor who advocates intuitive eating--you eat only when you are hungry, and you eat so you're satisfied (but not stuffed). Using this technique, he's lost 50 pounds and kept it off. My problem is, like many other wine fans, I love food. I'm not into fancy, gourmet foods, but I love good comfort foods. And I can eat pizza with the best of them. Logic (and plenty of reading) says that you're more likely to succeed if you don't think of the process as "dieting" since that has an implied "end." It's too easy to decide to quit dieting. So, instead, we're going to approach this weight loss effort with a healthier mindset: I am simply changing to a healthier eating habit. Smaller portions, far less desserts (rats), far fewer Krispy Kremes (double rats), and (ahem) less wine. Now, I'm not going to become a teetotaler. But it's very easy to end up drinking three or four glasses of wine per evening, and that's quite a few empty calories. Plus, all the health research I've seen says that moderate drinking (2 to 3 3.5 ounce glasses for men, 2 3.5 ounce glasses for women--and those are maximums) of wine has significant benefits. When you get into that 4th glass (for men, 3rd glass for women) you begin increasing your chances of health problems. So for 2006, my goal is to drop 30 pounds. This morning I weighed in at a hefty 199.0, which is way too much and too high a body mass index. It's my hope that by losing this weight "publicly," it will both encourage me to keep going (by way of positive comments from readers--hint, hint) and encourage others to try it as well. I'll post my downs (and ups) here, and hopefully will inspire people to improve their own health in 2006. Cheers!