Hi everyone. My name is Lynne and I would like to ask for ideas.
I have been scouring this website for a few days now. I have found some really great ideas but it seems like most of the diets I have seen are going to require that I spend alot of money to do them. I don't have that kind of money. My husband is the only one working right now, since I am finishing up school, and our budget is stretched to the maximum, and since he is not dieting, I have to buy foods that he likes (which is mostly sweets, and Junk food, and believe me he is not giving those up, already asked) He's one of those lucky ones who can eat what he wants and not have to worry about gaining. SO how can I do this. How can I manage to buy for him, and buy for me. Is there a certain diet you could recommend, that really would not cost me alot money when I shop. I really want to lose weight. I did sign up for Curves didn't really have it in the budget to do that but I am completely miserable so I had to do something, but I know excercising will not be enough, so I need some ideas, and all will be appreciated.
This seems like an AWESOME messageboard with alot of supportive and inspirational people, so I am confident you guys can throw me a few ideas. Thanks everyone!!!
I've heard curves is great, but I can't afford it either-so I bought a Gazelle from hsn.com because you can do flexpay-they break it up into five payments and they have many other kinds of machines, too, treadmills, etc. That way not only do you have the convenience of a workout at home whenever you have a minute, but it saves gas (which is OUTRAGEOUS right now), and my payments were about what a gym membership was, and now I don't owe a thing. As for the food, my hubby's the same way. No way is he going on a diet, and I hate having to look at 5 boxes of little debbies every time I open the cabinet. Try just adding some fruit, wheat bread instead of white, etc. to your grocery list , and just do portion control and count your calories on the regular meals you cook for everyone (try a counting site like fitday). You can sneak healthy in on him a little at a time, i.e. instead of frying the chicken, bake it with oregano, garlic, and a can of diced tomatos. I don't care if he's eaten it before, if I call it diet food my hubby won't touch it-so I just dress up the name (that's mediterranean chicken!) and he licks the plate.
Hi Lynne
I know what you are saying about your hubby being able to eat anything and not gain a pound mines the same way. He always has junk food around. When I first started I went hog wild buying all the low fat no fat stuff and it did get pretty darn costly. Just like buying regular sour cream for him and ff sour cream for me. Or having to buy 2 different types of bread. Now days I fix one meal for both of us like tonight we had we had pork roast, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. I was totally satisfied with 3ozs of pork, 1 cup of sauerkraut, and ½ cup mashed potatoes. I also add a salad to just about every meal.
In the past I would have eaten a cup or more of potatoes at least 8 ozs of pork and lots of kraut.
Now my little secret from him is that in the butter bowl its smart balance not country crock, in that sour cream container its low fat sour cream if I buy shredded cheese it come out of the package and goes in a zip bag and he never knows its 2%. Some things you can’t get around like I can’t disguise wheat bread so he settles for lite white bread. You get where im going with this. If we have pizza I will eat 2-3 pieces and a salad. If we have hamburgers I will make me a 4oz burger on a lite bun with 15 frozen fries (cooked…of course..hehe) and a salad. You can make this work with out going broke. Luckily he will not go to the store with me so what he don’t know wont hurt him … he’s eating somewhat healthy and don’t even know it. This works for me and I bet you can make it work for you!!! And it’s a lot cheaper on the checkbook.
Wow-I'm getting ideas here too..I never even thought about switching the containers! I always wash and save those little plastic ones anyway to send leftovers in because I never get my tupperware back. Now I have a whole new use for them!
ladybug, it can be done! I have dieted on a very tight budget. There are healthy foods out there that you and your husband can both enjoy. There are plenty of common foods that are already low in fat. Spaghetti (you could make meatballs seperately for the husband), poultry, lunch meats, cereals (most are already low in fat). There are even simple ways to prepare other meals with a lot less calories: for example using less butter when making tuna helper, or rices and noodles. Just read those labels, there's plenty of stuff out there that are already low in calories and fat. Besides, like Jeep girl says, you can sneak light stuff by him! I do it with my boyfriend all the time and he never even notices.
As for working out, you can always walk or buy a work-out video. That would save you a lot on going to the gym.
Thanks everyone for the replies. You all have given me some very good ideas that I am going to try next time I go grocery shopping. I never even thought about keeping old containers, and playing the old switch-a-roo. That is really clever. Again thanks to you all and Good Luck to you all with your weight loss.
Brown rice is cheap and is a great staple to fill you up. It is a pain because it takes so long to cook. I make a bunch at a time and measure it out into plastic bags. Hard boiled eggs without the yolks are a great source of protein. I make the old fashion oatmeal in the microwave every morning at work, throw in some frozen fruit (cools down faster) and you get a much bigger serving than instant oatmeal or those preflavored packets. I am trying to break the habit of driving thru McDonald's for a large diet coke. That alone would save me a minimum of $60.00 a month ($1.95 for a large out here in California) Good luck.
Dieting on a budget..Ideas?
