Hi,
My name is Leigha, I'm 27 and I have a 2yr old and a 4yr old. I am approximately 50 or 60 lbs overweight. I haven't gotten on the scale in awhile, so I'll have to get that nailed down, but I'm sick of everything that comes with being fat. No clothes, constant guilt, and prodding from the Hubby to get to the gym. I've tried Weight Watchers, but the constant worry over calorie intake and meeting atmosphere wasn't for me. I'm going to jump on the IP train, but I need a lot of direction and help from you veterans on this. I saw in a couple of the threads that some people are doing it with EAS shakes via WalMart instead...can you please help me as to how to start??? I don't have a job yet and my hubbs doesn't make a ton, so the cost of IP is scary to me.

-Thanks Lost and Confused...

Have you considered focusing on just simplifying your food? You know, broiling or baking, lots of veggies cooked with little dressing, less dairy, less bread, less sugar and salt and more leafy greens and legumes etc. etc.? Cleaning up your nutrition + adding movement should do the trick. Why buy that packaged 'stuff' ?

What is IP?

I've had good results from only eating at home and never buying junk food. I drink club soda when I crave pop (strange I know but I started with perrier and once I got used to that, transitioned to club soda...used to hate it and now I LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!)

I also work out of course.

Oh and I hear you on the hubby thing. I always feel a twinge of jealousy when people say their significant others don't care about their size. My husband is honestly a wonderful man in every other area and so I cannot complain about him BUT he does expect me to stay in shape and will say subtle comments that piss me off. At least he admits he is shallow when I call him on it. And it's better that they're honest than lie I suppose.

Agreed! Eggs for breakfast plus simple veggies (spinach, mushroom, peppers, onions) are cheap and full of nutrition.

Homemade soups are so cheap, can be really healthy, and are my favorite lunch!

I eat a fruit for a snack daily, and a bag of apples or oranges can last me two weeks for a few dollars.

Popcorn is dirt cheap and gives you whole grains, especially if you buy the kernels and pop yourself.

Produce and meat is the most expensive of it all, and you can just make sure you buy in season/sales/farmers markets/etc. My nutritionist had a simple formula for meals - your plate should be half veggies. I like to do that, but incorporate my veggies (google volumetric eating).

You can do this, just try making a solid plan - for me that means all of my meals and snacks written down - and follow it. I guarantee it's easier than "winging" it.