I've lost 5 pounds on my do-it-yourself veggie "Nutrisystem-esque" diet!

[Critters2]

I have two parishioners who've each lost a ton of weight on diets using prepackaged meals. One did it with Nutrisystem and one used Seattle Sutton. I've been really impressed with how well they've done, and was speaking to them about it last weekend (while we were working on the serving line of our most certainly not diet lasagna dinner).

The man who did Seattle Sutton is done with the diet portion, but still keeping the weight off. He said he got used to eating the prepackaged portion sizes, and is now much better at knowing how to avoid overeating. This seems like a good thing for all of us to learn.

I'm not hugely overweight, but could stand to take off 10-15 pounds, and just learn to eat better. But I'm veg*n, so neither of the systems my parishioners used will work for me. So, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on prepackaged meals, low-fat soups, and other things that will work--mostly from Amy's Kitchen, Cedarlane, Ethnic Gourmet, etc. It's a bit expensive, but I'm hoping to become better disciplined about what I eat this way, too. Then, the plan is to wean myself off these and eat better without feeling hungry. I always add fresh fruit or veggies (I love fruit, and a meal isn't a meal to me without at least an apple) to the frozen meal. So, I'm trying to eat a balanced diet.

Well, in less than two weeks on my program, I've lost 5 pounds. I don't know what the experts expect a person to lose, but this seems reasonable--not too fast, etc. I've also increased my exercise a bit (the nice weather helps get the beagle and me out for walks more regularly!) I'm feeling pretty good.

[flvegan]

1. Congrats, and bollocks on what "experts" expect.

Fact is, it will differ with each person depending on activity level, age, gender and just "how overweight" one is. If you stand to lose 10-15 lbs, and you've lost 5, that's 33-50% of your goal in 2 weeks. Since you haven't taken drastic measures in upping exercise/dumping calories, most likely none of that is water weight. Very impressive.

edit: spelling.

[Critters2]

8. Thanks!! This means a lot! nt

[khashka]

2. Congrats!

Dieting ain't easy. But sounds like you are doing it right - slowly, and making sure you eat balanced, nutritious meals.

Good for you!

Khash.

[Critters2]

9. Thank you! nt

[Captain Angry]

3. Wuss. You want to lose weight? Do what I did.

Get pneumonia and don't move for two weeks. :-P

Applesauce, soup and hotdog buns don't exactly pile on the weight.

So, obviously I'm kidding you about being a wuss. That's great. I am finishing off my Bachelor's degree this month so I'm eating like crap. I say this as I'm scarfing down girl scout cookies and writing a paper.

[madeline_con]

4. Have you checked the sodium content of all that stuff? n/t

[Critters2]

6. The salt content is a major reason why I don't want to do it this way forever.

I actually have low blood pressure (95/50 last time it was checked). So, right now it's not a major concern. But my doctor has told me not to get cocky--that she's seen people who once had my bp end up with hypertension like anyone else. So, I'm not losing sleep over the salt issue right now, but wouldn't want to spend the rest of my life making these foods the centerpiece of my nutritional regime.

[LeftyMom]

5. It might be a good idea to get some smallish containers and start cooking ahead

and freezing your food in the small portions. That way you get the advantage of the pre-measured portions, but you're also working on the skill of preparing and eating appropriately sized meals. You'd save a bundle and also would have better control over the salt content.

[Critters2]

7. Good points all. This diet is part of a larger program

of just generally trying to get my shit together...eating, sleeping, working at the same times normal people do (it seems like a good thing to not have a 9-5 job, and to have an assistant who doesn't give a rat's ass when or whether I show up at the office..but when one already lacks discipline...yikes!!). So, yes, preparing my own appropriately-portioned meals will have to be a step in this process. I will take your advice re:getting some small containers.

As to salt, see my response in #6 above.

And thanks! :hi:

[grasswire]

11. also watch the carb count....

...because that needs to be in proportion, too.

[auntAgonist]

10. good going! Come join us over in the weight loss forum

:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=337

:applause:

[Critters2]

12. Thanks for the invite! I don't think I knew there was a weight loss forum. nt

[Connonym]

13. Good for you!

I did something sort of similar several years back, followed the old Weight Watchers exchange system, ate mostly frozen food at least 2, sometimes 3 meals a day and supplemented with fat free yogurt and fresh veggies and fruit and it worked really well. I was almost never hungry because certain foods like nonstarchy veggies were unlimited so I would add broccoli or cauliflower to a frozen dinner, and it really fills you up.

Wish you continued success. It's my understanding that about 2 pounds a week average is about what you should shoot for. Good for you taking charge of your health, it's great!

[unpossibles]

14. good for you

I too have been trying to eat smaller portions and regain my former activity level since the new year, and have lost about 10-15 pounds (it fluctuates). Nothing crazy, but it's going. And as a vegetarian, I agree that the "plans" are limited, but you can still learn from them, such as just being aware of what/how much you're eating, etc.

Back when I was younger and had no car and biked 15 miles a day, it was not a concern and in fact I ate like a horse just to maintain my weight. Now... not so much.