Maybe I'm a weirdo, but I'm on the day of the Beck Diet Solution where she claims you will have to write down each evening exactly what you're going to eat the next day.
I've agreed with most of her tactics and ideas until now. I've found great help in the advantage cards, response cards, and her method of addressing sabotaging thoughts, which I have a lot of. I am learning a ton about the way my mind works regarding food by following her ideas, but the fact is that I have never done well when trying to plan a day out ahead of time.
I have a few 300-500 calorie breakfast options that I cycle through depending on what I'm feeling like, and sometimes I try new things if I'm feeling like having some variety. Then I will often plan what I'm going to have for lunch after I've had breakfast, because I can figure out what I'm going to feel like eating that day. I sometimes change my idea of what I want for lunch three times before deciding and then eating it. I just make sure it's not crazy high in calories, or isn't just plain junk food.
Then, usually after lunch I plan what I think I want for dinner. Sometimes it changes, even up to the moment right before I'm supposed to be eating it. I decide no, I don't want spaghetti, I actually want a tuna melt. Same calories, both not unhealthy options, more satisfaction from eating what I actually wanted.
I don't believe losing weight needs to be a rigorous regimen of planning all the time. I do believe a little planning is necessary, and sometimes you just plain can't have something.
Anyways, what do you guys think? I'm inclined to skip this part of the Beck Diet Solution, even though it makes me feel like I'm half assing. I know that it isn't going to work out for me though, and might cause a binge in the end if I feel like I'm boxing myself in too tightly. Life is life and I need a little room to breathe. I can't say how many times I plan a dinner and then my sister calls and wants to go out to dinner. I just go to my app, delete what I'd planned, see what kind of meal I can fit in there for the same calories and with the same level of satisfaction. It works out for me.