[charmtime]

I am simply disgusted with myself. I lost 5 pounds this summer, went back to work, and have now put it ALL back on. I was at work yesterday and looked down and a button on my blouse had popped open.

I had a much simpler schedule this summer and really thought I had gotten into some good habits. I had the thought today that I should go to the grocery store and buy exactly 1500 calories worth of food, go home, put it on my counter and make a shopping "list" and then on Saturday, buy 7 of each item. I almost think I am going to have to do something like that because of my crazy schedule. Since I have gone back to work and started my new grad school classes, I have been getting around 6 hours sleep a night. I am crazy busy.

Has anyone else done something as extreme as eating the exact same food every day? It is like I don't have time to even think when I pack my lunch....but in the summer, I would lay it out the night before ( I even had little baggies with chips or whatever in them). I think my new "plan" is probably like what Jenny Craig and diets like that are like. Takes the thinking out of it.

I would love to hear from you guys. The good news is I still walk my dog, so I don't feel like a complete failure. I just look at my progress from the summer and realize I could have doubled it by now. I would look and feel amazing if I lost 20 pounds...I would be where I was in my 20s. I look on this board at people who have lost SO MUCH MORE and wonder what they have that I don't. Am I just a weak person....ugh!!

[miamimelting]

I have only shakes every single day! I know that when I transition I will have to definately plan plan plan my meals every single day. You are not weak...not even in the slightest. Keep walking the dog, drink a ton more water, and pack your lunches. I can't wait to be 150 lbs like you!

[charmtime]

Bear in mind I am only 5'2" so 150 is large for my frame. You seriously only drink shakes? Like what kind?

I have bile reflux and have to be careful what I eat, so I definitely could not do the shakes thing.

However, I have talked myself into my grocery store idea. I have always rejected thoughts like that because of my family, but, seriously, we don't eat out that often. And what is the big deal if I eat my meal while they eat whatever I have cooked for dinner, you know?

Look at the progress you have made....228 to 193? I think that is amazing. 150 pounds are going to look awesome on you at your height.

Thanks for your encouragement. Oh...by the way, all I drink is water and unsweetened tea but it does have caffeine. Sweets (and pizza) are my weak areas.

[DexterMom]

Hi Charmtime. I don't eat the same exact thing everyday, but I have a very small group of foods that I rotate around, adding one or two splurge items every week. I have the same thing for breakfast every day. Lunch and dinner get rotated between 4-5 options. I don't snack much so that's not really a worry but if I feel the need for anything, it's always a tiny amount of almonds or one serving of FF chips to get my salt fix.

I actually love the routine because the foods I've chosen keep me full and keep me happy enough to be able to stay away from my nemesises.....burritos and pizza! I also feel like the ingredients are diverse enough that I am getting a good mix of nutrients. They are simple foods that don't take a great deal to prep, which is an added bonus when I'm running out the door in the morning.

I know people keep saying that restricting yourself to just a handful of foods is not a realistic way to live and will lead to you ditching your diet, but this has worked for me.

Hang in there. You'll find something that works for you!

[PDXgirl]

Hey! First off, do not be disgusted with yourself! Grad school is a big freakin deal; you've done some great and difficult things to get where you are!
A 'complete failure?' No way, you're a ripping success!

When I get really busy, I tend to eat the same thing every day for a week. It's just easier sometimes. If I take a little time before hand to plan out what I will be buying, how much will equal how many calories, and how I can divvy it up and make it easy to grab on the go, then it works very well for me. Doing this has actually kept me much healthier some weeks (food wise) than I would have otherwise been-what with school, work, and family demands. I'd say give it a shot! You can always change it up when you feel tired of your menu plan.

[shcirerf]

I love your grocery store idea!

[Kaala]

I eat the same things every day because my palate is not very advanced.
I think planning anything ahead of time is an accomplishment, and
I can't wait to weigh what you weigh!

[charmtime]

Yeah...grad school is HUGE! I teach almost 100 kids and come home and do tons of grad school work. No wonder meal planning is on the bottom of my list. But, that is not a good excuse.

I plan to shop this weekend and just do it. I was headed to the grocery store tonight but I am seriously just exhausted. I am even going to (gasp) limit myself to just a little bit of grad work. I just need a break.

Thanks everyone for the support. To top it off, ym huband went to the dr yesterday and found out he has lost 9 lbs. I asked him how he has done it and he was like...oh....I just cut back a little. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Even the doctor ( a woman) had to roll her eyes. Why is it easier for men? Or is it just some men?

[marielenrdz]

LOL! I feel your pain...men somehow just lose or maintain so much better than we do! Love that the dr rolled her eyes too! I, too, stick to some staple foods. Breakfast is oatmeal, cereal or yogurt. Lunch is a frozen diet meal, low cal sandwich or a cereal. Dinner is the the tuffie! I'm fine all day and then crash after 4pm....cooking for the familia while staving off hunger and resisting the urge to snack on what's easily accessible..that's my downfall! Dinner is usually crappy....and why I haven't been able to reach goal!

[ElizabethG]

I basically eat the same breakfast and lunches especially on work days.

Cereal for breakfast

Yogurt for a snack
Lean Cuisine for lunch (which I only have like 10 that i like so its a rotation of those)

I also keep raw almonds and dark chocolate kisses in my desk for additional snack food that somedays i need and other days I do not.

Dinner is generally a salad, meat and a veggie since my hubby is on Atkins. Then usually we have an ice cream bar/pudding pop for dessert (low cal for me low carb ones for him)

its the weekends that I eat differently and usually its because I only have 2 meals on weekends but probably snack more. But I try to keep stuff out of the house as much as possible.