New Here and Starting SBD soon...intro

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
New Here and Starting SBD soon...intro
8
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 2:03pm

Hi! I am new and didnt quite know where to intro myself so i figured this was a good place. I am Christy, soon to be 35 with 2 DSs (20 mo and 12 years) and my DH. I am 60 or so lbs over weight (according to the BMI) and until now had pretty much given up on changing my eating habits, but my last dr. visit showed high blood pressure and my friend just had a heart attack then found out she is insulin resistant, i figure the universe is trying ot tell me i cant shove this under the carpet anymore. I do not like the taste or texture of meat but since the rest of my family eats it, i try to mask it as much as possible but usualy end up eating mostly pasta. I know the SBD is vegetarian friendly but i wish the meal plans in the book were veggie instead of meat based...lol. For the past week, since finishing the book this weekend, i have been trying to figure out how to make a meal plan that would help the whole family eat better while keeping me happy with food choices (little to no meat). My DH is willing to do phase 1 with me but we are both fairly picky and eat differently (meat eater/non-meat eater mainly). In trying to plan my family menu for the next week or 2, i am trying to incorporate all of our eating preferences without going over budget (we dont have much of one as it is). I have been to the links in the ""**Getting Started? Please Read Here!! **"" thread...great info! Thanks to all of those who had a hand in creating that!

I have a feeling i am going to need quite a bit of support as i go through phase 1 and maybe even more throughout phase 2. I am trying to get everything together so we can start on Monday 10/2/06. I would love to be one of the people who lose 13 lbs in phase 1 cuz that would be a wonderful 35th b-day present!

So i think i have rambled long enough. I hope to get to know some of you better and 'meet' some new friends.

Peace & Stuff,
Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 3:26pm

Hi Christy and welcome to the South Beach Diet and our board!! I think you will find that this is an easy plan for you and your family to follow.


I try to keep it as simple as possible. For phase 1 dinners, I usually have a main course (meat or fish, but you can substitute a vegetarian dish), along with a cooked vegetable side dish and a salad. For the kids I usually add a starch such as pasta or potatoes. For phase 2 I do the same, but I often substitute the kids' starch for one we will all eat - like sweet potatoes or whole wheat pasta.


Here are some links that will address some of your concerns

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 3:53pm

Hi Christy,
Welcome to the Beach! Karen gave you great links. There are lots of moms on this board so you'll get a ton of support as you figure out how to do this and feed your family different things at the same time. Good luck and enjoy!

Mags

South Beach siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 3:54pm

Thank you Karen,

I have been to all the links you sent me, tons of great info. I think the thing that is most overwhelming is trying to stay w/in our budget. I started to do a meal plan just for one day and noticed that to get everything we would need just for one day would be expensive. I know we would have left overs and i know we can use them the next day or some of them we can freeze and eat later but i am overwhelmed at 1) making a meal plan for all of us (including the kids will be the easy part) and 2) not spending more than we have.

It is very discouraging that eating poorly is cheap and eating healthy is so expensive! I know long term it will save us money (dr. & hosp visits and such) but right now we are so strapped that i have a hard time thinking about how it will save us in the long run, bills have to be paid now. Properly feeding 4/5 people 3 meals and 2 snacks a day on $200/mo is just yet another challenge...one that would actually make it really easy to just live fat...argh!

Sorry to automatically post a blah/down post. Just have to push past it and figure something out, i guess.

Again, thanks for the welcome and info!

Peace,
Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 5:27pm

Hi Christy!


I know, it does seem overwhelming at first, but it gets easier. You may find the adjustment will cost you more than you are used to spending, but once your pantry is empty of the "bad" foods and stocked with the SBD-approved staples, it will get better. In the meantime, check the sales ciruculars for your local grocery stores and try not to over-buy. When I do my mealplanning, I usually do 3 days at a time and then incorporate a leftover day in my plan. That way, I use up food rather than throw it away.


Good luck and let us know if you need specific ideas. Don't worry about venting.....we've all been there and we're here to help how ever we can!!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 5:57pm

Yeah i think part of the problem too is that i cant just go throwing out foods because we live in my FIL's house so i would be throwing out his foods too...though him being diabetic he shouldnt eat them anyway and should go on SB as well...that is a whole other vent though...lol

I think i will do what you suggested though and just do a few days at a time...the only problem with that is if i dont stay on top of it i will just go back to eating the crud i have been eating just due to lack of planning. MUST-KEEP-ON-TOP-OF-PLANNING! LOL

So i was going to start with my own plan and such because going from the meal plans in the book just seemed too much but i think if i can just substitute meatless things instead of coming up with original items and maybe substitute things we already have that might have the same GI and only do a few days at a time, i might be able to swing it easier.

Thank you so much with the few days at at time idea! And maybe once i get through planning phase 1 i can post it for others in my shoes...hmmmm

Okay so feeling better about it all, now just have to find time to put it all on paper and make a grocery list before monday.

Peace,
Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 6:11pm

Hi Christy,


Just wanted to pop in and say "hi & welcome".

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2005
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 4:04pm

Thanks for the Welcome Cathy!

I have just completed 3 days of menu and grocery list and realize i will prolly have to spend some time at the store reading labels and finding some of the things i havent bought before. I suspect i will have to go to at least one additional store as well. I think i will wait till Sunday to shop as my DH will be able to watch the kids and i can go where ever and take as long as needed. So right now my plan is to start Monday! I am even going to start getting up around 6/6:30 to make breakfast for myself and DH (and kids of course but they wont be up yet) so we can start the days off with a good breakfast together!

Heck, I might even get up the nerve to do 3 more days of menu before Sunday and get everything but the fresh produce so Wed. all i have to do is stop in the produce section for the rest of the week!

Looking forward to a better, healthy life!

Peace,
Christy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 4:27pm

Hi Christy,


Those first few shopping trips can take a while until you're familiar with the routine and in the swing of it.

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