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Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,784
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

--- better health and weight loss?

 

I decided that I am planning for the new year as I want to start a journey to eat better and lose weight.

 

Is anybody here on any plans such as Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, etc.? and if so what has worked for you?  Any of those prepared meal plans??? 

 

I would say that I will just do it on my own but I have been trying and I just can't seem to get motivated.

 

There is a health and wellness center near me and I was thinking about getting in contact with them, perhaps a nutritionist?  What do you all think about this?

 

My eating habits lately have been atrocious and my weight reflects it!  I can't be on anything that requires a ton of work or a ton of involved cooking, preparation, etc. because I won't stick to it.  

 

About the only exercise I seem to be able to handle at this point is some walking as I have issues with my ankles and my back, etc.

 

Any ideas as to where I should start, etc.?

 

I know you all will say -- contact your doctor.  I know - I have and she says --- just modify your diet and walk.  Period.  

 

Thank you.  I appreciate it!  

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin
Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,034
Registered: ‎01-02-2015

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

 

 

I have this thought also... 2 years ago I lost 40 lbs.

doing a modified Keto ... the weight just fell off ..

But of course ... started back to the old habits due

to a very stressful living situation ....

 

Excerise ... I have bone on bone in one ankle .. last

summer all I could do was get done what I need ..

grocery shopping etc. so could not walk for excersise

That has eased up a bit ...but I may have to do a bike ..

or rowing ...

 

I would love to get back to where I was ... I'm going to

try ....Good Luck to us all !!!!!

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,328
Registered: ‎12-13-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

I'm 20 pounds lighter than I was in college. I lost the weight in my late 50s- don't believe 

the ' you can't lose weight when you're older ' nonsense.

Throw out all the junk. You know what that is. 

WALK. You'll be surprised how easy it is to walk a mile. Walk outside, in a mall or the perimeter of your grocery store.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 34,927
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

@AngelPuppy1 I tried it all over many years.  What worked? 

 

Get a good app for your phone and track every bite.  Choose a diet style you will live with, and eat balanced meals, be sure you get protein, calcium and fiber every day, cut back on salt, get your nutrients you need.

 

Eat LEAN chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna and beef once a week. Your app should consider weight, height, age, and you set goals and how much you want to lose and choose a reasonable calorie amount and time frame.

 

You should feel better soon,  You can't eat what you love probably but you should have good food, like it and be satisfied.  Soon the cravings probably will go away.  Did for me. You will be amazed how soon giving your body what it needs will benefit you.  Eat a balanced diet. 

 

I hope you are successful, however you approach it.  Even if you join a group, get an app an see how what you eat changes your life!  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,523
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

No-- not planning on any of those resolutions--my big plan is getting my horrible insomnia under control----weight is fine, eating is fine, exercising is ok. Just need to sleep better.

 

If I could sugest one thing--don't try to do everyting all at once--pick one thing and then start small and work your way up. Little steps not huge leaps 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,419
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

I don't know if you're interested in this or not, but the Slim Fast plan can be a good place to start. There is a VERY active FB group that will talk you off the ledge if you need it...lol...and are very encouraging and supportive. Lots of good ideas on snacks, meals, etc. there. I had gained 10 pounds and kept it on for 3 to 4 years. I finally got sick of it, found that group, and did Slim Fast. I lost 10+ pounds and have kept it off for three years using the Slim Fast maintenance plan.

 

I power walk 3 times a week and do light strength-training and stretches the other days. I don't buy ANY junk food or foods I can't resist, because if I do, I'll eat them. I tell myself this quote often, "Nothing tastes as good as being slim feels." 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 936
Registered: ‎03-13-2022

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

start with your pantry!

get rid of all your processed foods!  crackers, cookies, meats, candy, chips, pretzels etc...  

get rid of:  any highly sugared foods, check the labels, so much hidden sugars.

 

shop the perimeter of the store

 

eat simple foods:

eggs, lean chicken, lean turkey, fish, beef- rarely, sauteed veggies, whole single grains, salads with healthy ingredients - no croutons, salad dressing etc.. use olive or avocado oil or a spritz of lemon

 

do not mix a 'fat' meal with carbs.  ex:  chicken thighs with quinoa or rice, that's a no-no!!!

chicken thighs with steamed, sauted or grilled non starchie veggies, YES!!

 

baked chicken breast with sweet potato, yes!  but no butter on potato, just lightly salted if u need it.  

 

keep your 'fat' meals and 'carb' meal separated.

 

drink lots of water

 

no soda or any liquid with added sugar, keep it simple!!!  

 

munch on carrots, celery etc.  one small green apple with peanut butter flour (PB fit).  or mix the peanut flour in 0% Greek yougurt for a carb snack.  alternate your Fat meal with Carb meal throughout the week.  

 

nuts in moderation.  pair with a piece of cheese for a snack. 

 

do not eat after say 7:00 pm, give your body at least 12 hours wtih no food.

 

3 meals a day with one snack, probably afternoon, depending when u start your day... 

 

eat your meal, then no snacking or picking in-between, go 4 hours in between meals/snack. 

 

once you start this time schedule, your body adjusts.  

 

walk every day no matter the weather or temp.  even if its for 20 minutes.  increase time as you see fit...

 

limit alcohol!  it lowers your resolve!!  

 

so many things you can do yourself!  

 

best of luck!! 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,568
Registered: ‎06-07-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

I find the best way to lose weight is to eat plain foods. No "fancy"sauces added to foods. Try to cut out sugar items. Start slowly. Cut the amount of fattening foods you eat  a little more each day. For example if you eat 2 desserts each day go to one, then go down to a small piece of what you like. Try cutting your portion size down a little each week. Never eat after your last meal of the day. Find an exercise your body is capable of handling without hurting yourself. Find the healthy foods you like and eat those often. Try to keep busy so you have your mind on other things. Good luck, losing weight is very hard work. 

Valued Contributor
Posts: 760
Registered: ‎09-03-2017

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

I get that your doctor isn't much help. I think most of them get little if any nutritional education. Perhaps a dietitian would be of help. 

 

I know a lot of people knock Nurtisystem, but it helped me to shed 35 pounds 8 years ago. I didn't consider it to be a cure for my eating problems & I wouldn't stay on it long term. It does contain processed food, but some people have been living on processed food before. That's one of the reasons they gained weight.  So for me Nutrisystem, was just something to help get started & motivated. As I was on Nutrisystem, I read about healthy eating. I learned how to cook more healthy. When I reached my goal weight with Nutrisystem, I was ready to go into their transition plan. I stayed on transition for a few months while I began incorporating what I Iearned about healthy eating and exercise. I've since gained about 10 pounds back, but I think my goal weight was probably too low anyway. 

 

The reason I think Nutrisystem, or maybe Jenny Craig would be helpful to you is you said that you don't want to do a lot of cooking. These premade food plans require little cooking. You only need to add some roasted, steamed, or raw veggies to suppliment them. (Which I highly recommend you adding them because they will keep you from feeling hungry.) Another reason I recommend these plans is because you'll get more community support. Nutrisystem has on-line communities of people who are going through what you are. Nutrisystem's web site also has counselors who are very helpful. If you do go with Nutrisytem, my recommendation is to spend a little more & get their plan where you can pick out your own food. Also, make sure you buy the plan that includes frozen food. Some of their shelf stable food is yucky. Believe me, you're going to want to pick your own food.

 

As far as exercise goes, do you have a DVD player? I exercise 5 days a week with my DVD's. You probably know Leslie Sansone. She has some easier beginner DVD's. For strength training I do a DVD called HasFit 3 days a week. The exercises are very gentle. You can do their exercises standing or sittling. You don't have to use weights at first until you feel ready for them. I don't know how old you are, but some of the senior exercise programs would be a good start regardless of anyones age. 

 

I wouldn't take those weight loss drugs that are out there. They may seem like an easy fix, but there are so many side effects to them. They're so expensive. Much more expensive than Jenny Craig or Nutrisystem. I heard Weight Watchers has gotten on the diet pill bandwagon. Shame on you Weight Watchers. I hope this helps. Let us know how you're doing with your weight loss journey.

 

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,375
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Getting geared up for NY - What prepared meal plans, guidance, worked for you regarding

I lost 35 pounds 3 years ago.  My only form of exercise was the Cubbi.  Yes, it really works if you do it faithfully.  I started on the lowest tension for 5 minutes and ended with an hour on the highest tension.  As for diet, I tried a couple things.  I started with WW and lost about 10 pounds initially.  Then it just stopped.  So I started looking at what I was eating calorie wise.  I discovered that although i was on plan, it was just too many calories for me to continue losing.  So, i got the app Lose It and started to do that.  I initially did 1200 calories during the week and 1400-1500 on the weekends.  That did the trick.  On WW with all the zero point foods I was eating around 2000. calories a day. Way too much for a senior. so , thats what worked for me and im able to maintain the loss.  I didnt want to do anything crazy, because I wouldnt stick with it.