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For me, a diet was an essential part of my wedding planning. It’s not about looking like a super-skinny model; it’s about feeling good about my body again. During senior year of my undergraduate program, I gained about 15 pounds. For some people that isn’t a lot, but for me it was a more-than-10% weight gain. It has made me feel blah.
In order to lose these extra 15 pounds I am hauling around, I have to reduce my calorie intake to about 1200 per day. At home, Mr. Meerkat makes sure all our meals are lean and low cal, but lunches with my coworkers…well, that’s a different story. Can you say KFC, Taco Bell, and Wendy’s??
So over the last couple weeks, I have radically changed my eating habits. No more lunches out with the guys. No more amazing, grease-laden fast food. Instead, I have changed everything I eat from the time I get up to the time I get home for dinner. There are three things that are making this diet work for me:
Fresh fruit (breakfast and snack)
Every week I purchase a honeydew melon, a container of strawberries, and a couple pounds of grapes, which I cut up and place into three-cup plastic containers. I take one a day to work and eat half for breakfast and the other half for a mid-afternoon snack. The whole container is only about 150 calories.
Michelina’s Lean Gourmet frozen meal (lunch)
These frozen meals are delicious, and talk about variety! I am in love with the Sante Fe Style Beans and Rice. Each meal is around 300 calories, and I buy them for a little over a dollar each. Yep, you read that right—lunch for a dollar. Now, what dieting bride on a budget doesn’t love a cheap, low-calorie meal?
Hot tea (all day long)
I loved hot tea before I decided to change my diet. The difference now is I don’t use sugar in it. I calculated that a third of my allotted calories per day were from the sugar in my tea. By ditching the sugar, I now have a zero-calorie drink. And if by chance a case of the munchies strikes, I go get a cup of tea instead.
It’s only been a couple weeks, so I don’t have any dramatic results to show you…YET! If I did my math right (which I always do), by the end of the fall I should have dropped an entire dress size. I promise many pictures of my progress.
Anyone else have any tips for great diet food?
Honestly I think you need a lot more calories for breakfast. That is what gets your metabolism going. Protein (eggs) or a high fiber cereal might be good options for you. Or what about adding some yogurt and granola to your fruit? Good luck, and don’t deprive yourself too much!
Hmmm. I’ve always seen the Michelina’s in the frozen section but I assumed that because they’re cheap, they must suck. Are they really that good?
I mean, I’m not looking for awesomeness, but if they’re comparable to Smart Ones, Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc., then I may have to try it.
Good for you! I need to start eating more fruit. I agree though, eat a little more for breakfast to keep you going. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But I agree with Miss Sloth, I’ll be trying the Michelina’s. Can’t wait to see the progress.
Interesting on the Michelina’s. I need to start watching the budget and my waistline since I’ve been gaining since the wedding. These might just be the ticket. I’ve been on a Trader’s Joe kick since I’ve found that theirs are the only frozen meals I actually like. LOVE their mac n cheese although it is clearly not the healthy option. 
I love the idea of dividing the fruit into containers at the beginning of the week! Thanks for the tip! Another one - baby carrots are a good “mindless munching” food (like at night when watching TV).
I eat the Michelina’s! They are pretty good and you gotta love that price!
I would say you could eat more for breakfast, but your calorie intake for the day is right on par. People usually grossly overestimate the number of calories they really need. My mom just went to Jenny Craig and the plan they put her on is 1200 calories. She’s also only looking to lose about 15 pounds.
I want to just put out a warning about all the processed junk in your basic frozen meals like Michaelina’s and Lean Cuisine. Seriously go look at the ingredients. Think about what kind of “food” they can sell for $1. Sure its better than Wendy’s and Taco Bell but I hesitate to call it healthy.
I think there are better ways to eat healthy, like prepared salads and making lunch out of leftovers. There are a ton of options out there.
What a great fruit idea - grab and go! We don’t get to the store often enough to keep fresh fruit around…
Lean Cuisine (veggie versions) are my crutch for a lower caloric intake. I prefer to grab a salad (when I can get out of the office). I can’t believe the sodium in some of these frozen meals; you really have to watch out!
@Jacqi: I probably should eat more for breakfast but I am just not hungry in the morning. I force myself to eat the fruit. Before I didn’t use to eat anything at all.
@Miss Sloth: They taste really good. I use to eat the healthy choice ones but these taste just as good and they are cheaper.
@CTS: Yea its hard to guess at the calories because before I thought I would need 1500-1700 but Mr. M. helped calculate it all out (health nut) so I knew exactly what I needed.
I find lowfat string cheese sticks to be a good subsitute for my cheese cravings. I also like the Weight Watchers chocolate pretzel bars. I also like the Trader Joes Reduced Guilt frozen entrees, the ingredients are less scary than in most processed foods.
You should look into Kashi Frozen meals if you want to eat something a little more…natural-ish. It has fewer crazy ingredients and all of the meals I’ve tried are awesome!
I second the breakfast calories/protein for breakfast. Eggs and turkey bacon will keep you full much longer than fruit! Plus is really does help to have more protein than carbs in your diet - especially when you are talking about its effect of your blood sugar (diabetic or not you still get peaks and valleys!). Try switching to an egg white omelet with some cheese (you need calcium!) and veggies! You’ll be stuffed for under 200 calories! Then switch the kashi for lunch (higher fiber, lower preservatives) and make sure you get plenty of protein for dinner! And add yogurt (more calcium!)
That’s what keeps me going! Also, if you’re exercising, you probably want to add 100 calories or so just so your body doesn’t throw you a big “wtf?” and slow down your metabolism!
Good for you! I lost weight without trying before the wedding (stress!), but have gained it all back. Ugh! I’m trying to lose it again. I can’t do frozen meals though. Whenever I eat a Lean Cuisine I’m hungry again in an hour.
Be careful with calorie counts, you may lose weight on that low of daily calories but your body may also go into starvation mode and get eat up your muscles. Goal should be to lose “fat” not weight/muscle mass.
checkout: http://www.fat2fitradio.com/
for some really good advice about healthy weight loss and lifestyle changes, not crash diets.
A nice choice for breakfast is a scrambled egg with salsa on a small whole wheat tortilla. Super fast to make!
I agree with adding more to your breakfast - Have you thought of a fruit smoothy? Add flax seed to the smoothy, not only is it good for you it will boost your fiber intake and keep you full longer.
I hope you are getting in some exercise with the change in you meal plan. With your calorie calculations you will lose the weight but you could lose more inches (arms, waist and legs) if you add excercise, especially some resistance training using light weights.
My favorite diet food is Greek yogurt…it fills me up more than regular yogurt, and even the fat-free variety is high in protein. All good and very little bad, plus it’s delicious with blueberries.
I started out at 215. Am 175 now. Here’s what works for me:
1. Fiber One bars. They make an excellent filling breakfast, and the chocolate ones when combined with a cup of coffee and a tablespoon of French Vanilla creamer are awesome.
2. Vitatops, if you can find them. Hungry Girl has a lot of great recipes for making the most of them. They’re like little cakes!
3. Speaking of Hungry Girl, go to Borders right now. Buy the books.
4. Weight Watchers. Learn it. Live it. Love it. Unless you have some sort of medical problem, it’s impossible to not lose weight as long as you do the program correctly (and it works pretty well if you DO have a medical problem–I’m hypothyroid.)
5. Go to Target and get an air popper, and then get some popcorn kernals in a jar. (I actually got a HUGE bag at Sams Club for 17 dollars. I’ve been working on it for YEARS and even gave some away with poppers as Christmas gifts. ) The price is anywhere from “a bargain” to “SUPER CHEAP!”
6. Make sure you’re taking a multivitamin. Also, make sure you’re getting omega 3,6, and 9. Taking a fish oil supplement and an Evening Primrose supplement will take care of that.
7. Sandwich thins are awesome. They have 1/4 of the nutritionals that two pieces of bread normally do.
8. Restaurants aren’t bad…..IF you know what you’re doing. Diet friendly foods can be had no matter where you go (yes, even Red Robin and Cheesecake Factory) but you MUST do your homework, make a plan before you go and STICK TO IT.
9. If you’re in a convenience store and want to do some mindless eating, beef jerky is a godsend.
10. Fruit by itself makes me hungrier. Pair it with some fat-free yogurt and either some dry old-fashioned oatmeal or some crumbled-up Fiber One and it’s not only got more calcium, it’s also got more staying power to keep you full.
11. Not all foods of each kind are created equal. Rice isn’t bad if you switch from white to brown, ditto that to noodles. Plain almond milk has 40cal a serving. Weight Watchers makes some EXCELLENT ice-cream bars that are not only huge, but loaded with fiber.
12. Hebrew National wieners with Wolf Brand Turkey Chili and part-skim Mexican cheese=excellent, and very light on nutritionals.
Sorry this is so long….if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s lose weight!
I’ve been doing WW since June and the weight is coming off! But really slowly…. I’ve also started incorporating weight training and that’s been AMAZING.
Love this post! I’m about to start the weight-loss kick too. Some of our old tried & true tips…
I drink tea for all beverages, pretty much. I buy the Lipton brand, brew pitchers of it & keep it in the fridge, along with some Crystal Lite lemonade (I know, aspartame)… Hello Arnold Palmers with no guilt! I also drink tons of green tea - a cup every morning. If you get a good brand you don’t need to add anything! I have at least 2 cups a day - lots of antioxidants! And I hear it may help boost metabolism.
Be sure to take multivitamins, fish/flax oil, get lots of fiber, VEGGIES, healthy lean proteins & other good things straight from the earth (processed food isn’t worth it, no matter how cheap it is). Carbs are ok as long as they are limited & whole-grain.
Also, my guilty pleasure (which we can’t make too often, because it doesn’t last more than a day in this house)… weight watchers BEAN BROWNIES. Yes girls. From heaven. And only 2 ingredients.
1 Can Black Beans - rinsed
1 Box Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (not the suped up version with extra chocolate etc lol)
Mash the rinsed beans with a potato masher, until mostly mushed, but its ok if still a bit chunky.
Mix in with brownie mix (DONT add oil & egg, as directed). Add water, as needed, to add moisture. Bake as directed (time/temp). Enjoy!
Good for you! The hardest part is initially changing your habits, I think. For me once I got used to eating less and eating less processed food, it was half the battle. Then I met with a registered dietician who ironed out some things: I was not eating enough calories! I’m 5′2″ and a little under 150, I work out 4-5 days a week. I thought I should be eating 1400 calories a day, but its more like 1600. The best thing I’ve learned to do is have a protein, a carb, and a fruit/veggie 5 times a day. But my snacks can not have any grainy carbs, just fruit/veggie and a protein. GOOD LUCK! and congrats on taking the first steps!
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Mrs. Meerkat, Kalamazoo, MI/Riviera Maya Age and Occupation: 30, Application Engineer Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, IT Consultant Engagement Date: July 26, 2008 Wedding Date: December 2010 Venue: Al Cielo / La Laguna About Me: I’m a tech-savvy tomboy with an affinity for hot tea and good sushi. Us Meerkats are just a couple fun lovin’ geeks from Michigan. We love anything having to do with movies, books, video games or technology and we hold a special place in our hearts for our two very spoiled shih-tzus, Wicket and Bravo. We also LOVE to travel. We love it so much it only took us 12 hours after we got engaged to decide to have a destination wedding. We are working our little Meerkat tails off planning a rustic-chic, travel themed destination wedding in the Riviera Maya with a semi-formal, vintage-turned-modern, outdoor at home reception back here in Michigan.
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