My kids eat the same healthy fare that I do. I got rid of all the junk. I needed a safe haven and just HAD to set myself up for success. My kids LOVE the foods that we eat now. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen.

Oh and by the way, I DO shop for produce almost every single day. We go through loads and loads of it.

Another thing, if you are aiming to stay at 1200 calories, you might find that those 100 calorie packs are not filling enough. When eating 1200 calories, you've REALLY got to make each and every one of them COUNT - you'll need to get satisfaction, filling power, volume and high nutrition from them. You may find that those 100 calorie packs don't stave off cravings, but actually bring them on. It may just keep your wants and desires for those type foods alive and kicking. Just be aware of that and willing to change things up as you go along. You'll find for yourself what works - and what doesn't.

That's it. EXACTLY. Give it your all!!! With an attitude like that, with DETERMINATION, there's no way that you can't succeed.

I look forward to hearing of your success. :)

this is SO true. i was hooked on those babies for the first few months of dieting. cookies, doritos, etc. i wanted to satisfy my cravings for unhealthy foods and they do help. BUT, theyre just so much air. now 100 calories isnt worth one for me. i can eat a tablespoon of peanut butter and feel more satisfied, or a cup of grapes, a serving of whole grain cereal with no milk, or whatever else. its funny how after a few months you really start searching for ways to get the MOST out of your 1200 calories, lol.

Gogurts and Little Debbie snacks are junk food (IMO). I'd be happy the kids want to eat the real yogurts and better snacks. Just buy more~! :D

Good luck this week! It sounds like you're ready to make a change...

Me, too. And I'm a total fresh, local produce snob. I mostly buy locally-grown, in-season fruits (peaches & apples now; strawberries & blueberries & peaches last month) and get local tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, and peppers from my mom & dad's garden.

I buy about 8lbs of grapes each week. I buy grapes on Saturday or Sunday and then usually replenish on Wednesday. Grapes are my kids' favorite snack. Grapes can get pretty expensive, but I'd rather they eat grapes than cookies.

I joked yesterday that I think I spend 10% of my gross annual salary on produce. ;)

Also, my picky 6yo will only eat one kind of yogurt and it is expensive. But it's the only one with whole milk (instead of low-fat or nonfat), and he is so skinny that I don't mind buying it for him. :)

OP, this is so exciting! I cannot wait to read about your success. Give it all ya got! You are gonna succeed.

Nutrition isn't someplace I will skimp for anyone in the family. I think the healthy foods (whole foods and organic whenever feasible) is non-negotiable for our entire family. While the kids may be able to get away with things calorically, the truth is they don't need the habit of eating junky, processed stuff--regardless of it being cheap. I also am concerned about HFCS, partially-hydrogenated oils, color and flavorings and a multitude of other crap in the cheap stuff--and in some of the expensive stuff.

We don't eat out and do without other things so we can do it but it's so worth it. I do allow them to buy lunch at school on Friday without any restrictions. I am not a completely mean mom. LOL.

I work at the school a lot! I definitely see correlation between behaviors and foods kids eat--and definitely see the difference in my own children too.

I too spend an ENORMOUS amount of money on fresh produce. But I spend ZERO money on packaged cakes, cookies, chips and other snack foods or sugary drinks, including fruit juices. ZERO money on fast food. And now that I'm eating this way, I spend ZERO money on blood pressure medication or Mylanta. I also haven't had to take an ibuprofen due to a headache since Day one of my journey. And I'm pretty certain I've saved lots of money on doctors bills as well.

Spending money to feed myself and my family well is money VERY well spent.

I've been doing 1200 calories since June, and I agree with the above... everyone is different, but the snacks that are working best for me are yogurt, a reduced fat cheese stick, or soup. When I've experimented with eating snackier foods in 100 cal packs they've just made me hungrier.

I'm managing fine on 1200 but I try to choose really filling foods.

I agree ubergirl. I tend to eat low calorie foods that I can eat in large volumes and it works for me :D