I have been really trying to diet since December. As you can see, I've gotten no where. Yesterday I went to the library and picked up a copy of the Diet Solution, and it seems really good. I'm a big believer in cognitive behavior therapy. But I skipped ahead and saw that she wants me to write out a food plan.

When I read that a total wave of dread washed over me. That is the one thing I've never wanted to do. Never thought I had to do. I don't mind writing down what I eat, but to do it ahead of time? To PLAN seems like a prison sentence G*d forbid I want to change my mind!

Now, I'm sure this is one of the reasons I'm still fat. When my motivation is low, I'm free and easy with what I eat and it gets me into trouble. I see that it's a good practice, and I see that what I view as "freedom" is just my nice comfy cell in fat prison.

Still, did anyone else have problems with this, and how did you over come it?

Can I write down maybe one plan and an alternate? Seriously I have no idea why this is such a huge deal for me. I've hit a huge psychological wall. And I'm not even there yet! I don't have to write down my food for two more weeks!

Hi thinpossible -

Welcome to one of the key strategies of how the Beck Diet Solution works. Neat that you already know about, and believe in Cognitve Behavior Therapy.

Come on over to the Beck forum:
Beck Diet For Life/Solution – April 2009 – Support, Discussion, Buddy/Coach

Some of us find this easier than others. Some of us write a plan for each day; some of us have a generic plan that we use for weeks at a time. It seems to me that Beck's key strategy is that we approach the day with a plan for what we eat - exactly so that we don't have to make choices.

Come read a bit and chat with us - it might not be as onerous as it appears

I think the idea is not that it's so completely set in stone that you can't possibly change it, but that you don't want to find yourself having eaten 90% of your calorie allowance but not having eaten dinner yet.

Do you bring your lunch to work with you? If so, then that's already a form of meal planning! If not, then I'd suggest starting because when you eat out, you get all sorts of surprises in your food.

Maybe you could start this by planning your breakfast, lunch and snacks in advance, but not planning *exactly* what to have for dinner, but just knowing you have X number of calories to eat for dinner. Or maybe just give the whole thing a whirl -- you might be surprised. And once you do it for a little bit, then it's a habit and not very time-consuming.

I can't plan either, I can't even plan dinner in advance...lol Breakfast is usually the same thing everyday till I ran out of what ever it is, Lunch is the same thing, I hate planing dinner, trying to plan, makes me feel very overwhelmed and then that turns it to only wanting burgers and fries.

I used to stress a lot because I made plans, and something would change them. I've learned to plan, but include flexibility.

However, I've skimmed the Beck book, and I think I recall that they're very big on planning and sticking to it exactly.

I tend to eat the same thing every single morning for breakfast...so that wasnt an issue.

When Im on the ball, Ive got lunches made for the week, so there is that done.

Then the night before (again when Im on the ball) I take out tomorrow night's supper to thaw.

There you go....tomorrow is planned. Would this work for you?

The book recommends you choose 2 plans - I chose WW with SB as my alternate. Don't read ahead unless you read the whole section. If we don't plan, we don't make good choices and look where that has put us....overweight.

I generally have the same thing for breakfast, and I plan my dinners a week in advance. I have a general idea what I'm eating for lunch and snack, but the idea of having to write it down feels very restrictive. It's just a mental block, not that it would take much time.

well, you could post it here if thats easier.
Do you log your food so you know calorie/point (whatever) counts? If so, just do it today for tomorrow instead.

I dont "write" it down anywhere, but I do log it into fitday.com.

According to the National Weight Loss registery, which I am on, those who keep a food diary and weigh daily lose more and keep it off longer. It's far from restrictive. It makes you aware of what you are doing. I kept a food diary since 1971. How foods have changed!

Oh, I do log my food, after I eat it. It's just that logging it before hand takes all the spontaneity out of eating, and that's what I'm butting my head against. Of course, I'm sure my spontaneity is a large factor in what's made me fat, so I'm trying to reconcile myself to it.