Need Some Suggestions for a Simple, Yet Effective Diet

I'm not sure what area you live in (I live in Tampa/Brandon area) but I found some places where you make a month's worth of meals at a time, take them home, freeze them and cook them at your convenience. They are very tasty, take almost no time to cook and are nutritious. I've found 3 places so far they are called: Lets Eat (www.letseatdinner.com), Dinner Done (www.dinnerdone.com), and The Dinner Factory (www.thedinnerfactory.com). For 12 meals it runs around $200 (within a few dollars depending on which place you go). Keep in mind your grocery bill is lower for the month since you don't have to buy dinner items. They also provide the option of making the food for you, you just pick it up. And making the food for you and delivering it. The price is higher for each of these options. Also, the portions can be split in half when you create them at no extra charge, which is probably your best option since your children are still small and probably don't eat too much. Each whole meal serves approx 6. This has worked out great for me, I hope you can benefit from one of these places also.
One last thing! Remember if you want to loose weight you need to stop consuming as many calories as you were before. So eatting less (maybe by using a smaller plate) is a big help. Good luck! Let me know how you do!
-M. in Tampa

2 moms found this helpful

Hello

Have you tried weight watchers? I did after my son and it worked it took some time because i did no excerise i want to do it again because i had my daugther and i lost of my baby weight and morefrom breatfeeding but then i went back to work and stop breatfeeding and at my job they always had some food around so i gained some extra pounds which i want to lose again. So i think i'm going to get back on weight watchers because i know it works but i plan on excerise too so it will come off faster. My sister is on it right now and she has tried every kind of diet and she has lost ten pounds and she has been on it for a month so far and she is not exceriseing. Well hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful

A....
I have a great website for you...
www.cbevelle.qhealthzone.com
click on diet/fitness and then weight management starter kit.
They have tons of simple meals plus meal bars for fast, on the go days....that taste like candy bars and are great for you!
I have so many friends that have lost a lot of wt on this program AND have kept it off...their products are amazing. ONe to look at is the XS energy drink...to start your day off. 8-11 cal, no carbs, no sugar, energy from adaptogenic herbs/vitamins, mainly from B12...great flavors too.
Let me know if I can help.
____@____.com or ###-###-####

-Ciaren

1 mom found this helpful

A.,

I am a group fitness instructor for Stroller Strides of Kingsland, GA. I have lost over 20 pounds doing these classes and eating right. For fast weight loss I consumed no more than 1200 calories a day. Raise that up to 1400 if you are going to be exercising, which also needs to be done! I exercised about 5 times a week. You need to make sure you get a sweat, so every workout needs to be a least 30 minutes. It can be POWER walking, intervals of slow/fast jogging and a few sprints start off slow. You will find that you will lose weight fast in the first three weeks, then slows down at this point. I then raised my caloric intake to about 1600 calories. Let me know if you need anymore help, good luck!:)

Good Morning A.,
Well, this idea will probably sound funny to you but my husband and I have done it and without really trying we both lost over 20 lbs. Have you every watched those silly tv commercials were the spokes person says "try this and you too will lose", well all I can say is I laughed at it and my husband purchased their plan, and it worked for us. It was linked to a website, www.provida.com then click on Michael Thurmond's six week makeover. Other than that we took evening walks either everyday or every other day, eventually we were up to 2 miles. On provida we each took a questionaire about how we each saw food, plus how we saw food. It then tells you what type of body type you are, followed by suggestions for meals along with suggestions for eating out. For example, I am body type B and my husband is an E -- this makes it harder when following a meal plan for dinner, but it also explains why I was not loosing. The only thing my husband and I did differently is we allowed ourselves to have one off day to eat whatever we were craving that why we knew on Saturday we could have something different, for me I might have been Cheese tortellini w/ Alfredo sauce with garlic bread. If you are interested please let me know, it would be nice to have someone else to discuss meal plans and help fight temptations with.

Hi A.,
It is hard to get that weight off isn't it? Have you heard of or tried the South Beach Diet? I did it after the birth of my last son as did my husband and we both dropped quite a bit of weight in a fairly short time (15-20 pounds). It does take committment and planning, but I didn't find it hard. You can google South beach diet on the web-there is a website and tons of support-message boards, books, recipes, etc. I dropped about 20 pounds on this diet and am still following the principles. good luck to you!
J.

Honestly, after my daughter the wieght just came off and after my son I actually had to work for it. But I know your problem with not having the time to eat right and all that (I am now preggers with #3 and also work from home). What I did was the most I could manage. I dont have alot of left over brain space to use on counting calories, or any trust in miracle wieght loss products and I dont have alot of extra money to spend on weight loss programs and pre-done meals. So, my solution was just to practice portion control. I ate everything I was normally eating, but only half. If I went to a resteraunt I ordered what I wanted and split it with someone or with the kids. Either way, I cut what I was consuming in half. If I wanted something really bad like ice cream, I would get one of my small tea cups and put a scoop in it. That was all I allowed myself. I lost 23 lbs doing this and have maintained my high-school weight now for over a year. Mind you, I was a grouchy cow at first cause I was dang hungry, but you get used to it, your tummy shrinks and before long you couldnt imagine ever eating as much as you used to. So simple. And to get nutrients I replace breakfast with a shake and stay on top of my vitamins. I am super hungrey now being in the middle of my pregnancy so when I need a snack I eat an Attain Bar. Mmm, mmm, good! Anyways, hope this helps!

Hello A.,
I also have 3 and after my last, the weight stayed w/ me. My husband and I have been eating low fat, and I lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks, also stay away from the sugars and white bread, it helps. There is alos a great web site, www.allrecipes.com, it is awsome! Hope this helps! I don't have time for excersise, so I try to walk 20 minutes every morning, my two little ones love it. Good luck! M.

I am telling you, Isagenix is the best! It is a super Healthy supplement that gives your body everything it needs nutrionally and helps it function properly to help you loose weight. My sister got me on it a couple months ago and I have lost 15 pounds....the best part is that is atacks the fat so that is what you loose, not muscle. I just had my 3rd child and loosing the weight for me as been a constant battle. I love this stuff. If you are interested my sister sells it, I can give you her number.

Good Luck!!!
R.

Hi A.,

I've found myself in your situation a few times and from taking several nutrition courses and being a busy mom as well, I learnt that simple is best. I use the food pyramid (myfoodpyramid.gov) and change it a little to my liking. My diet consists mainly of fish/seafood, poultry, grains/nuts, dairy, tons of fruit, veggies, and occasionally chocolate. I eat plenty of fruit for snacks, drink plenty of water (or home-made iced tea) and I also refuse to bring junk food or soda into my home. For a typical meal, I'd wrap salmon, string beans and carrots in foil along with some lemon juice, white wine and herbs/seasonings and bake it. And for dessert, I have fruit or yogurt with a drop of whipped cream. Or I would saute some soft of meat with veggies. My daughter doesn't care for plain meat and veggies so I make some pasta for her to go with her meal.

The key is to stick to simple: meat + veggies and bake or saute it in a drop of olive oil. Lately I've been trying different types of fish and meats from a nearby meat store. Don't be afraid to try new herbs or marinades. The herbs you use make a huge difference and don't be too strict with the diet or you'll have cravings. Also, keep in mind that despite what all these diet fads out there say, your body does need the correct balance of nutrients, fats and carbs in order to maintain itself and too little of anything = cravings.

Sorry I can't give you any actual recipes because I've been trying out different things myself but I hope this gives you some ideas.
C..

I also have 3 kids and my last two are only 14 months apart, so i didnt have time to lose the weight from my second baby. I joined weight watchers, only went for 2 weeks, and learned what i needed to do. Now I already lost all the weight, and my eating style has entirely changed. The main thing u need to do is eat things with out sugar, fat free, only wheat breads. That will help u lots in losing and not gainning. u also need to walk or do an activity each day but it doesnt have to be for hours. u start gradually, 10 mns walk, then 15 and then whatever. i stopped walking already but i do watch what i eat. Also, the portions have to be the size of ur fist.
Good Luck!!

Hi A. -

Have you ever tried acupuncture to control your appetite? I was a bit skeptical about the procedure myself until I decided to give it a go while I was living in Hawaii. I went through six sessions, that is one session per week, and lost 20 lbs. WITHOUT having to diet or exercise. The sessions re-wired my system in such a way that every sweet thing I craved tasted extremely salty or acidic. If I had actually exercised more during my sessions, I would've lost more weight, I'm sure. I stopped my sessions when I became pregnant, but I will resume them once I deliver and get an "all-clear" from my OB/GYN and pediatrician. Not sure where you're located, but there are many acupuncturists in the S. Tampa area. Most HMOs nowadays cover alternative medical treatments. Oh yes, and the needles don't hurt...the sessions are actually quite soothing and as a SAHM of three, you'll definitely need the break! :) Blessings to you and yours.

Do you like salads and chicken? If so you can grill up a few chicken breasts and make a salad for lunch each day. I do this everyday. I just cut up the chicken throw it over some mixed greens and add some carrots, tomatoes and dried cranberries and top with some balsamic vinagrette dressing. It is good for you and will help you shed pounds. Special K with red berries is great cereal for breakfast with skim milk! Don't eat carbs for dinner especially not pasta. Are you a member at a gym? If not and you want to join one, I recommend LA Fitness. They have a great kids area and some really great classes that keep your workout fun. For example they have Latin impact, hip hop, a great toning class called body works plus abs, kickboxing, cardio jam, step classes, yoga and pilates and an indoor pool with water classes. It is not terribly expensive and well worth it. There is also indoor raquetball and a huge cardio area. I love it because there is such a variety that you don't get bored. The kids always look forward to going to the kids club there so that helps me for motivation. If you are in the Palm Beach Gardens area, myself and my stepdaughter work out in that one. We would be happy to have you join us for support and motivation. Always more fun to workout with someone and the days you don't want to go, you have someone to give you that nudge to get your butt there! Oh and try to stay away from all sodas.

K.
www.abbabyboutique.com

Okay, we all know the hard way to lose weight...watch what we eat and exercise. But...we don't have the time nor the energy for either. After my second child was born, I decided I needed to lose the weight too, so I finally tried Body for Life. Now, mind you, it required work as far as the exercises, but you alternate between cardio and strength training days, and the workouts aren't ridiculously time consuming. Plus, you learn portion control and have a list of "approved" foods (a protein plus a carb and a vegetable) to eat from each day. I would just create meals in a glad container and freeze them for easy, no brain meals. Every time I need to lose weight (I am pregnant with my 4th child now), I return to this program. I do not use the special protein shakes (although I admit to a Slimfast or two for convenience), and other than a multivitamin I do not like to take supplements, and it works anyway. You can get free recipes, advice, workout journals, etc. on their website. Just google body for life. Good Luck!

Hello A. B,
I noticed it's been quite some time since you first requested Mamasource suggestions for losing weight. With 24 responses you might have had fun trying new recipes and ideas. I was wondering what worked for you? Thanks!
My name is B. Ameykeller of Flagler Beach, FL.

ok got a easy quick healthy recipe. I did it last night. I purchase steak when on sell any kind usual like a $5 roast. and I cut into 1 serving size. deck of cards and wrap freeze individually.
I cut it up and throw together with veggies.
I marinated the beef in - soy sauce and red wine vinegar added pepper, fresh garlic. (NO SALT- enough in the soy sauce) that was it.
cooked meat and sautéed the veggies in on med high, added water for steam effect.
I had fresh broccoli, onions, bell pepper and mushrooms. It was good and healthy - no fat whats so ever.

I used frozen mix veggies. and any fresh veggies I have left over bits that need to be eaten. Any kind of meat. I just use more veggies than meat. can cook rice or pasta if want to. Change pasta and rice over to the Whole wheat and brown. Don't do alot of that, just a little so you dont feel deprived. It works fast and easy.

Hi, A.! I just had a little one 7 months ago and have gone through the same thing you are going through! It wasn't easy, but I have learned that things that work for me might not work for someone else and vice versa! I also learned that you shouldn't deprive yourself of the things you love, mine was chocolate, but eat it in moderation! What I did in the beginning was to eat on a saucer instead of a regular size plate and that was it! This kinda left me hungry, but then my stomach got used to it. Also, I have heard to snack throughout the day so that you never get hungry because you are constantly fueling your body. Just pick healthy snacks and try not to keep junk food around. Buy things like fresh fruit and veggies, nuts without salt, raisins, canned fruit without sugar, cereals that are healthy but tasty, and things like that. Then eat every 3 hours or so; if you have a baby this helps you to remember to eat something when they do. Then, when it comes to "meals", eat off of the small plate and you should be satisfied! But like I said, you have to find what works for you and what you can and can't eat! About the workout, that's an area I'm working on now! My son's school is about a mile from our house, so I have started walking him to school. Pushing the stroller strenghens my arms as well as my legs with the walking, and I walk fast to get my heart rate up and to break a sweat! If your child's school isn't far, maybe you can try this as well. If not, try to make sure that you schedule in that time to workout and act as though it is an appointment that you have to keep to take care of yourself every day (or atleast 3 times a week), and don't let any other appointments interfere! I am by far no expert, but just wanted to share some things that have worked for me that you may want to try! Hang in there and work that body, girl!!!

ahhhh, yes, the baby weight, eating right and exercise is the key. If you are already exerciseing than eating is where you need to get creative on. I would advise to prepare meals in advance as to not eat junk when in a hurry(and us moms are always in a hurry)try putting together different types of salads in containers, don't put salad dressing until time to eat. Get creative with your salads so you don't get bored, chicken salads, egg salads, veggie salads, garden salads. Also, healthy sandwitches, can also be prepared ahead of time, chicken,ham and cheese, etc.The key is NOT to over eat, if you are still a little hungry, fill up on fruit and veggies.

good luck:-)

I had a lot of success with the South Beach Diet. I am not big on diets, but SBD had really great (quick & simple) recipes that tasted really good- most days I didn't feel so much like I was on a diet. www.kraft.com has all of the SBD recipes and coupons you can print out. I also took up Power Yoga (1 hour 2x a week)and walking. It was a great way to get in the excercise without wearing myself out. It's a great stress releaver and I can do it at home whenever I can fit in 15 or 20 minutes. You can buy at DVD or check one out at the library and just do a little every day or whenever you can. I bought a cheap pedometer and wear it everywhere. My daily goal is 10,000 steps- about 3 miles. It sounds like a lot, but you'll be amazed how quick you can hit that by just adding an extra lap around the mall here and there or parking further away from the store. The point is to set realistic goals and make long term lifestyle changes. Good luck!

hi A., this is C.. i read your message about problem to lose weight. i myself are overweight and i found the company where they got very very good vitamins and good program online. called VFL.com. Vity for life. I joined this company because i want to work with but it also come with wellness company. i did like to share that with you. go to my website to request the information www.mommysuccessful.com and then i can contact you and have you hear the information about the wellness company and on how they can help you and also if you want to know, they are talking about making income too! looking forward to hear from you soon. have a wonderful day. C.

Go to the Turbo jam web site. I don't know exactly the web site address. You can do a search on google. This will help you lose weight by exercising at home with the dvd and it will give you meal recipes. Good luck!

I have actually lost quite a bit of weight using a service called DreamDinners.com

This service allows you to preapre your meals for the week or the month and controls the amount of portions and ingredients put in each meal. Visit the website and let me know what you think..

Hi A.,

have you found a solution that works for you on losing weight?

I just discovered a new ALL NATURAL weight loss/energy pill called Zylene. We had such success with it, we decided to become distributors.

I am a SAHM of 4 kids under the age of 7yrs old. I would eat bites of everything I gave the kids and at the end of the day I was so exhausted that I couldn't think of exercising, I just wanted to go to sleep.

I now take 1 pill in the morning after breakfast, I have the energy I need to run around with the kids all day and maintain the house and have started on an exercise program because I have the energy and drive to do it now.

I've lost almost 8lbs in 3 weeks and several inches from every part of my body. I no longer crave sweets or carbs and I eat healthy foods in smaller portions...I finally feel in control of my life again...food is not ruling me!

If you would like to see the ingredients or read more about the product, you can go to the website at www.health4wealth.com/Hans and check it out. You can order right from the website.

I know what it's like to want to lose the weight and not be able to see how you are going to do that and raise your family...it's frustrating, but I can honestly say that I am doing it ALL and I feel great and look great!!

I hope this helps!

C. & Hans Eisenman
###-###-####
www.health4wealth.com/Hans

One more advice to add to the bunch. This one in regards to exercising. It would help if you incorporated your childen into your exercising. Take them to the park or open grass area and chase them around, play tag, whatever games come to mind or go up and down the stairs- little ones love that!

If they are still toddlers or not walking use them as weights! My kids would love work out time as I put them on my legs for leg lifts(great for the pooch, they left behind instead of a stomach!) or pick them up and down up and down- who needs weights?!

Just get creative with it, its more fun for you and them! I have also seen videos of Mom and me workouts if you are looking for more ideas or more formal exercising. But the idea is the more you get moving and the healthier you eat, the extra weight will come off

Have fun!

A.

I found a wonderful cookbook. Actually, there are two in the series. It really has some wonderful recipes, meal plans, even shopping lists. It's designed to help you prepare quick, healthy meals, low in fat, salt, sugar, etc, but surprisingly, most of them still taste good! :-). It can even be used by diabetics and people with heart conditions. When I showed it to my Dr, she liked them so much she made photocopies of the covers so she could recommend them to her other patients! They're called "Quick and Healthy", and here's the link to Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Quick-Healthy-II-People-Meals/dp/09...

I also adore Curves, although finding someone to watch my 8mo old while I go is often challenging, so I don't go as often as I want to. Hubby is working out of town, so I'm doing the single-mom bit for now.

Cheers!

Hi A., I have a 3 and one and half year old. I finaly got sick of being a fat friend to all of my non mommy friends so I use my kids as wieghts which someone already suggested. I walk once or twice a day pushing 60+ pounds of toddler in front of me. I walk at night with a friend in San Marco about five miles each trip and just started walking aleast two miles a morning in Lakewood. Sometimes I feel like just sitting at home and being fat but then I think by next summer I want to be a hot mom. If you ever want a walking partner or someone to help motivate you let me know!! Good luck