New here..

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
New here..
7
Sun, 03-20-2005 - 11:40pm

Hi!
I just watched Super-Size me..and boy did that give me a lot to think about.

I need to lose about 100-120 lbs..I just have no motivation. Also, I'm not very good at cooking on a small budget. I end up buying mac and cheese and frozen foods. Does anyone have any tips in that area?

Any help would be appreciated..I really hope I can do it this time..

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2005
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 11:14am

Hi welcome to the board. I have the same problem I am always making mac and cheese for lunch and hamburger helper for dinner. I still have a problem with it. Things like grilled chicken and vegis are easy, and you can grill the chicken on the barbecuer. Then there is not alot to clean up. I am always trying to cook things that don't have alot of clean up. Good luck on you weight loss.

Michelle
253/248/150

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-17-2003
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 11:15am

Hi and welcome. The best way I have found to get motivated it to just start watching what I eat and exercising. Like Nike says "Just do it". Once I start feeling better and losing weight I get the motivation. I am not a good one to ask about saving money. I know the weeks Dh is gone I buy a lot of frozen dinners and my grocery bill goes down by 50 or 60 dollars. maybe he just eats a lot.(lol)

Welcome and let us know how we can support you. sharla

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 2:21pm
Hello there and welcome to the boards!
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2005
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 2:36pm
I am a frugal shopper and have found that since focusing on healthy food choices my food budget has gone down! The two main reasons are: I don't eat out as much and I read ad sheets carefully and plan menus (including snacks) based on sale items. For convenience food I purchase the store brand of frozen stir fry vegetable mixes, (on sale, of course) and have them handy when I don't want to "create" a meal. Have some fun with saving money while losing weight by keeping track of what you spend. Welcome and good luck! LK
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 3:35pm

welcome!

I am in the same boat as you.. just a poor college student who needs to lose weight! although i could be of some help since i went to culinary school. I recommend to you what i once read in a magazine, buy things on the outer most walls of the grocery store. there you can find the produce, dairy, and meat departments.. just try to stay away from the bakery! also, try things like instead of buying cut up and ready to go chicken, buy a whole one and cut it up yourself. i think they are only about 4 dollars and will give you at least 4 servings. as for vegetables, the darker the better, iceberg lettuce has no nutritinal value, opt for spinach or even romaine. oh and i stay away from any sort of oil except olive. a vacation in italy revealed many slender healthy people, and they eat alot of olive oil, fresh tomatoes, seafood, and of course pasta! i saw only one fast food restaurant, and every other restaurant we ate at, there was nothing fried on the menu. pop can also get expensive, just remember water is free (usually) and the benefits far exceed any soft drink out there. anyways, hope this is some help to you, if you need any culinary assistance, feel free to email me! mindygirl_02@hotmail.com

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 4:21pm

"I need to lose about 100-120 lbs..I just have no motivation. Also, I'm not very good at cooking on a small budget. I end up buying mac and cheese and frozen foods. Does anyone have any tips in that area?"

Hi there! I used to do the same thing - my boyfriend and I lived on hot pockets and hamburger helper (bad bad bad!) I've noticed that the stores that I go to usually have a lot of specials for meat and produce. There are a lot of recipes out there that are very healthy and don't require $100.00 of groceries a week. I would check out websites like www.balanceonabudget.com. Or just try finding recipes that don't require much and are healthy for you.

By the way I saw Supersize Me the other day myself. All I have to say is oh my goodness. I will never get a Mc'd's craving again!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
In reply to: jennbird
Mon, 03-21-2005 - 10:48pm

I guess the question should be are you cooking for yourself or you plus a few others?

But, I you are cooking for yourself you could follow these hints.

1. Find out what time the grocery store discounts day old meat. Find out when is the best time to be there to buy it. Believe me it's a long line of people who wait for it. My uncle was a butcher and he said day old meat is still very eatable.

2. Buy whole chickens or a bag of legs and quarters. Legs and quarters usually go on sale here in Texas for like 49 cents a pound, with a limit.

3. Buy fresh lettuce...you can use iceberg for a filler but there is no nutrician there. But you can get red tip lettuce and romaine not as cheap at iceburg but once a week should be okay on a budget for one.

4. Another good thing would be to go to a farm and buy your fresh veggies and fruits. We have Frobergs Farm here in my town and they sell priced at "depression era" prices. If you look around you may find a farmer on the side of the road who sells much cheaper than the grocery stores.

5. Buy powder milk it goes further. Tastes like 2% and if you like 2% then it's is okay.

6. A 10 lb bag of potatoes here in Texas goes for $2.00. Not the best thing to eat but okay if you have a baked potatoe with fat free dressing as a topping.

7. Buy your wheat bread and freeze in 2 or 3 slices per baggie.

8. Use coupons! Usually stores do double coupons on Wednesdays. See what days the stores in your area use.

9. Shop around for the cheapest grocery store to shop at and buy the name brand. the store brand (in most cases) is just as good.

10. And if you are really hard up....get food stamps. I know it makes some people feel bad to have to use that method to eat. But keep in mind that it will not always be like that. Believe me I don't qualify for food stamps but I have been behind some people who have used them and they were eating a whole lot better than me! I can't say I wasn't somewhat envious.

Okay...If you boil chicken for chicken salad save the broth and make noodle soup...just think and plan all your meals and snacks and you will be so surprised at how much you can save!

SussieQ