Wow, lots of interesting replies! Thanks everyone!
I'm glad eating fewer meals works for some of you. I can't imagine doing that myself but it makes sense that it would be one way to keep your calories down with less planning time. I think I know some people who have pretty much always done that.
IdealProteinNewbie, I think LoseIt has that function too. It helps but -eh- on top of the hassle of typing things on my phone instead of a keyboard, I really wish I could just type in my own numbers
I need to lose weight so my thumbs aren't so big and make it so difficult to type on my phone
Just kidding- I'm not sure one can lose weight in one's fingers!
IdealProteinNewbie, I wonder what you eat that you manage to prepare everything so quickly on Sundays? I am always looking for things that are quick, as well as relatively economical and healthy. I'm always trying to find a good balance between those 3 things. I'd be interested to hear more how you do it MsGooch, as far as how much meal prep time you spend and what you eat (if that's not too long a question for you to answer).
I don't mind eating the same things multiple days a week, and I guess my usual, non-diet, routine is pretty simple/boring. Usually cereal for breakfast, and I have a few variations on breakfast for days off (1 or 2 frozen waffles w berries and drizzle of syrup; eggs w veggies and toast; flavored hot cereal; sometimes citrus fruit or 2 slices turkey bacon w some of the above- that's pretty much
everything I ever have.) Lunch- salad or 100 cal bread w tuna made w low cal mayo, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs or egg salad w low cal mayo, or flavored tofu. Or at a restaurant I buy a salad w chicken, or buy a chicken sandwich w veggies. Sides- about 2 of: apple or banana, 100 cal yogurt, veggie chips, baby carrots.
Maybe it is too simple because I get bored w lunch and end up buying other things out at times. Food after work is less routine, though I have a bunch of regular healthy meals and snacks and also things I end up cheating with.
When I'm on a successful diet, I find I'm MORE flexible- I will sometimes plan out all meals and sides, usually including a few foods that are less routine for me, and then if I feel like something else when the time comes, I'll let myself change it even though it means I have to chop up different veggies or revise my plan and constantly re-add up my calories. Like sometimes I might have eggs and vegetables instead of a salad I planned if the salad doesn't appeal to me. I frequently have to psych myself up to skip various temptations, and substituting something I feel like that's within my calorie budget helps me avoid temptations. But it takes a lot of time and effort.
I'd love to hear more about what balance of precisely planned eating versus flexibility works for people.