Now I get why planning is so important!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Now I get why planning is so important!
6
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 8:44pm

OK, despite what everyone here said, I just couldn't stop from having a few saltines, but it was not so good after that....

Anyhow, I want to learn from my mistake and move on. I think my big problem was lack of planning. I did not plan out a menu for the week - just bought a bunch of foods that were "safe" for P1. But that wasn't enough. I had a busy, stressful day today, and at 4pm didn't know what was for dinner, so I grabbed the french toast made right before I started SB and heated that up for the family.

I'm not a chef, I don't really enjoy cooking, so even though I have the SBD book and the SB easy meals cookbook (that's probably not the real name, but close enough!), but I'm still very overwhelmed by it all.

I have this mental block and resistance to writing out a plan, I feel like I don't have time for it and am resentful of skinny people who don't have to do that. But I think until I really learn what I'm doing and learn some simple favorites I'll have to do this, right?

So that's where I am. Sorry - just had to vent in a place where I knew people would get what I'm talking about!

Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 9:07pm

When we don't plan, we often reach for foods we shouldn't eat. I like to journal every morning. I take stock of what's in the fridge and plan accordingly, leaving nothing to chance.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
Wed, 05-02-2007 - 9:53pm

I'll have you know that the healthiest, fittest people I know (my personal trainer colleagues) ALL have healthy snacks, water readily available every single day.

There's no need to be resentful of people who don't plan; they are the ones who end up eating chips and fast food and end up unhealthier for it, because of their lack of planning!





Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 9:26am
Vicki, I totally get where you're at -- I have my pangs of resentment toward skinny people too. But planning gives me a much better sense of control and that's what keeps me on track. I actually find it kind of relaxing and (dare I say) fun to look in the freezer, frig & pantry and think of the ultimate combinations for dinner for the week. I try to cook larger portions so that there's always leftovers for lunch sometime later in the week. And when I know there's going to be a challenging day schedule-wise, I always turn to the crockpot for stuff like taco junk and chili. I definitely find myself straying more when I haven't planned, just like you. It's hard to ignore a rumbling tummy...
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South Beach siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 9:36am

I think you have to be very careful about being resentful of "skinny people". I used to think people who were skinny were ONLY the ones who it came easy to. They were the people who had the better genetics, more money, more time, less stress, different culture, etc.

NOT TRUE! *I* am a skinny person now and its ONLY because of HARD work. If you saw me on the street without knowing my story you would lump me in with "them". But I plan, I cook, I work, I exercise, etc. I have tons of stress, tight budget, my family is Italian, I have two kids and hubby to feed, etc. All the SAME challenges the average person has - but I just CHOSE to make an effort. Being "skinny" CAN be a choice!!

I get a lot of comments now from people who didn't know me when I was overweight - like "oh you can probably eat whatever you want and never gain an ounce" - yeah, right. Nope, sorry. Its not that easy.

















belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2006
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 9:38am

Amen, SRT!

















belizesig1
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-20-2005
Thu, 05-03-2007 - 11:08am

I am exactly just like you!!! I really want to do this right, but I have all these blocks. Preparation is a huge one for me. As a working mom, with a 3 and 4 year old, the last thing I feel like doing on most occasions is sitting down planning meals. And then it seems when I do attempt to do it, I screw it up by:

1. Not picking things that are kid-friendly enough for my family.
2. Picking recipes and they end up gross.
3. Cheating too much and effort becomes wasted.
4. Either not planning enough meals or planning too many.

It is endless, but you know what. I have planned menus for a whole whopping one month and I have to tell you it is getting easier and easier. Like you, I had the cookbooks with the best intentions. I looked through them at all the pretty pictures, but never COOKED anything!!! I went with what was easy, throwing together "safe" foods. This gets VERY boring!!! Food can be good AND creative AND family-friendly on SB.

With practice I have gotten much better at looking at a recipe and knowing if it is a good fit for our family. If it ends up not so great or the effort didn't justify the outcome, I toss it out of rotation and search for something else. With a little time I will have many recipes in rotation that I can pull from.

Pick a system that works for you! For those of us who really don't enjoy cooking it takes a little more effort....but it is worth it and you can do it!!!

One tip that worked best for me: I plan all my daily menus around dinner. Dinner is the most important meal in our house. It is the one we most care about being good and yummy. My husband and I are just one of those people who desire a yummy dinner. Based on dinner, I can then choose the rest of my day to make sure I get all my requirements in.

Good Luck!
Rachel