“The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you’re off it”

“The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you’re off it” is a jocular dieting saying that has been printed on many images. The saying is usually credited—probably incorrectly—to Brooklyn-born comedian Jackie Gleason (1916-1987).
 
New York-based syndicated entertainment columnist Earl Wilson (1907-1987) credited his “B.W.” (beautiful wife, Rosemary) in January 1952 with, “A diet is just awful the first day when you’re starting but it’s not so bad the second day when you go off of it.” In a November 1952 column, Wilson credited his wife with, “The second day of a diet isn’t so hard—because by that time you are off of it.” In January 1953, Wilson credited his wife with, “The second day of a diet isn’t hard—because by then you’re off of it.”
 
Jackie Gleason was credited by another columnist in January 1962 with, “The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you’re off it.”
 
   
Wiki[edia: Earl Wilson (columnist)
Earl Wilson (May 3, 1907 – January 16, 1987), born Harvey Earl Wilson, was an American journalist, gossip columnist, and author, perhaps best known for his 6-day a week nationally syndicated newspaper column, It Happened Last Night.
(...)
Wilson Sr.‘s wife, Rosemary, predeceased him in February 1986.
 
Wikipedia: Jackie Gleason
John Herbert “Jackie” Gleason (February 26, 1916 – June 24, 1987) was an American comedian, actor, musician and writer who developed a style and characters in his career from growing up in Brooklyn, New York. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, exemplified by his character Ralph Kramden in the television series The Honeymooners. By filming the episodes with Electronicams, Gleason later could release the series in syndication, building its popularity over the years with new audiences. He also developed The Jackie Gleason Show, which maintained high ratings from the mid-1950s until its cancellation in 1970. After originating in Hollywood, filming moved to Miami, Florida, in 1964 after Gleason took up permanent residence there.
     
22 January 1952, Newsday (Long Island, NY), “It Happened Last Night” by Earl Wilson, pg. 28, col. 2:
Our witty B.W. was expounding about diets to Thyra Samter Winslow, author of “Think Yourself Thin.” Said B.W.: “A diet is just awful the first day when you’re starting but it’s not so bad the second day when you go off of it.”
 
4 November 1952, Columbus (OH) Dispatch, “Ohioan on Broadway: Columnist Disappoints As Wife Out-Diets Him” by Earl Wilson, pg. 1B, col. 1:
“The second day of a diet isn’t so hard—because by that time you are off of it,” she (B.W., or beautiful wife—ed.) once said, so aptly.
 
2 January 1953, The State (Columbia, SC), “It Happened Last Night: The Battling Wilsons Mark Up 17 Years; Marriage Looks Safe” by Earl Wilson, pg. 5-A, cols. 1-2:
A few people object to me writing about the B. W., but I just figure they’re jealous and plunge right on. Recently, you know, Readers Digest credited her with saying, “The second day of a diet isn’t hard—because by then you’re off of it.”
 
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
3 November 1959, Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle, “The Girls” (comic strip, showing two women talking), pg. 12, col. 1:
“Personally, I don;t find the second day of a diet a bit difficult. By that time I’m off of it.”
 
13 January 1962,

ri-State Defender (Memphis, TN), “Try and Stop Me” by Bennett Cerf, pg. 8:
“The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day, you’re off it.”-Jackie Gleason.
     
Google Books
1800 Quips and Illustrations for All Occasions
By Herbert V. Prochnow
Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books
1994, ©1969
Pg. 109:
Diet
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day you’re off it. — Jackie Gleason
 
Google Books
Food and Drink:
A Book of Quotations
By Susan L. Rattiner
Mineola, NY: Dover Thrift Editions
2002
Pg. 22:
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day you’re off it.
JACKIE GLEASON
 
Twitter
Pearl‏
@parz06
The second day of diet is much easier than the first day. By the second day u are off it n enjoying McD’s meal 😊
11:30 PM - 26 Feb 2011
 
Google Books
To Hell with the Diet:
A Feast of Quotations for the Guilty Epicurean
By Aubrey Malone
Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press
2014
Pg. ?:
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first because by then you’re off it.
Jackie Gleason