ok... so I've tried every diet known to man... some work... some don't... but nothing I can stick to
I am a constant eater outer... I don't cook often at all.. and don't want to start HA how's that for honesty...
Anyway... here is what I'm doing.
I am eating a special K breakfast bar for breakfast each day, then I am eating either weight watcher or lean cuisine meals for lunch and supper each day.
Snacks in between are... fruit, jello, 100 cal pack stuff... etc.
So far I am walking 30 minutes a day (normally a strict couch potato... so walking any amount is huge for me)
I think you can do it! I do a similar plan and so far, so good. I cook a lot, but end up making food for my hubby (and leftovers are for his lunch the following day). I eat a lot of lean cuisine, smart ones and healthy choice stuff. I eat soy "chik" patties for lunch sometimes, lots of soup (filling and most are low cal). Not sure if you like pesto but I recently got hooked on it! I buy flatbreads (~160 cals), 1 tbsp pesto (80 cals), deli ham, turkey or chicken, 1/2 slice of cheese and grill it like a panini! They usually run about 250-300 cals depending on how much meat or cheese you add. YUM! Also I make faltbread pizzas w/pesto, mozzarella, fresh basil leaves and roma tomatoes (I think about 270 cals) bake in the oven for a few mins. Also delish. I also make easy recipes off of: www.eatbetteramerica.com to switch things up a bit. I can get sick of the frozen meals really easy!
The fact that you're exercising is a huge deal! I was pretty much a couch potato before and now I like going for walks. I also do Pilates and I really love it. It's kind of relaxing for me!
I think you'll be just fine! Just try to look for new things to eat, because it's easy to get sick of the frozen meals and maybe veer off plan. Good luck!
it depends on the person alot, but it doesn't sound like there's enough fiber and other nutrients to be very filling. how do you feel it's working? do you have enough energy? do you feel satisfied with the meals, full for several hours?
do you hate cooking? not have time? no space/appliances?
Last edited by katy trail; 10-25-2010 at 12:04 AM.
Reason: several hrs
yes i make a similar pesto wrap/sandwhich. flat out wraps 120 or 90 cals. chopped basil in a tube instead of pesto. it keeps for 2 months in the fridge. no fat. a dose of vit. C.
Walking - GREAT! Keep it up. My mom lost about 30 lbs at age 62 just by walking 1 hour daily and watching her calories.
Eating - Not a bad start but you can't live off frozen meals forever!
Eventually you'll have to start cooking and doing slightly more in-depth grocery shopping to sustain and really be healthy. I'm not much of a cook either (it's not worth the effort in making really complex meals since I live alone and hate doing dishes) but it is really easy and fast to stir-fry some fresh vegetables in a pan.
A lot of posters here tout the importance of getting enough protein in your diet. I still struggle with this but if you are eventually going to be walking longer and harder and doing other exercise, you'll want to make sure you have lean meat, nuts, tofu etc.
I have a panini grill and that sounds great! I will have to try it!
Katy...
I don't "hate" cooking, I just am too tired most of the time after working all day. I enjoy it sometimes, but my normal day to do consists of grabbing the fastest thing I can. ... and up until recently... that was fast food.
does the special K bar give you enough fibre and cals to get you to your next snack?? What about fruits and veggies to you add them to your lean cuisine?? Other then that I think that is great...and for eating otu there is always Subway, and I love Wendys ...they have a salad that has chili on top...super healthy and filling
Thanks Krampus, and yes Lori... I do mix in some fruit and veggies when I need them. I'm not a breakfast eater usually so most mornings that breakfast bar is enough.
I love Subway and Wendy's from time to time... but I'm just starting out again, and the temptation of going to Wendy's and getting healthy food instead of a cheeseburger... is just too much right now.
There are options out there for when I eat out... I just have to be strong enough to make the right choices. Until then... I'm sticking with those boxes in the freezer
sounds great, and the fact that you know those places are weaknesses....McD's is a HUGE weakness, but Wendys isn't I do not get it, but everything about me lately baffles me....sounds like you are onto a great start
Good call on avoiding fast food places until you're better adjusted. Eating out in general can be really dangerous in that regard. I mean really, who in their heart of hearts prefers grilled chicken without sauce when they could be eating a steak with potatoes?
i think you are off to a great start. with time, taking care of yourself, getting enough rest. i think you'll have more energy. there's a ton of recipes that take just a few mins to throw together, or you could get some meals ready to go on the weekend. freeze or throw in fridge till that day you need it. if you are really busy. if it was me, i would just eat them all. i try not to plan ahead at all. but that doesn't work for most people. you could also try some crock pot recipes. some take almost no prep time. then dinner is ready when you get home. what i mean is, just ideas for later on, so you don't get so tired of the same thing over and over. you could try different kinds of fruits/veggies as snacks too. that would add variety.
Last edited by katy trail; 10-25-2010 at 12:19 AM.
Reason: later
I think that's definitely a great start! I myself am horribly out of shape, and well..walking, elliptical, & DDR (with curtains closed of course) make up for my exercise for now XD
As for your foods, yes it's great you're incorporating fruits and veggies into your meals. For me majority of the pre-packaged meals won't do the trick for me since I get hungry again later, but hey...if it works for you, great! definitely a great personal choice to stay away from temptations from fast food places, by the way.
I think you can most definitely lose weight on that plan, and if you are full and satisfied by it, then go for it! I know for me, I would be starving all day long if I tried it -- a feeling I decidedly cannot do for the long term.
Just be aware that if you rely on the pre-packaged stuff, you're probably not going to be able to eat as much as if you were to cook. That's my experience anyway. I love Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones, and I do have them occasionally for meals, but I find that the low cal aspect of most of them is built-in portion control, not that they are necessarily prepared super-healthy. Same thing with the 100 cal packs. When I eat those, my very next thought is eating another one! So if at the end of the day you are still hungry and your calories are gone for the day, you could always re-think the cooking. If you plan it all out right, there is no need to go hungry when doing this. Just something to keep in mind! And make sure you are rounding out those meals with LOTS of veggies, some fruit, and some protein snacks like nuts.
How many of you think this will work?
