Welcome to the very first installment of Frugal Fat Fighter Friday, hosted by...ME!
I've finally decided that when your daughter is 28 months old, you really can't blame the extra 20 pounds on "the baby" any longer. With that in mind, my new diet starts today! Won't you join me?
Every week we will talk about a different topic, with occasional updates during the week that will include product reviews, healthy yet frugal recipes, or just me whining about falling off the wagon and eating an entire carton of Edy's Butter Pecan with Reeses Peanut Butter Topping! (oh - it WILL happen eventually!)
So the first thing to do is pick a diet. I know that there are those that say that you don't really need a structured diet...that simply eating less and moving more will do the trick. To you people I say "phooey!". I know myself and without a structured meal plan, I usually fail. And then there is that whole thing about me being allergic to exercise. I break out in a sweat every time I try it! I'll be putting that off until I hit a plateau. (I'll never claim to be the poster girl for dieting the right way!)
So what are my choices? There are a number of free and not-so-free choices out there:
Weight Watchers: they have an online program that is much cheaper than going to meetings (in my area, meetings are $14/week or $50/month with a Fast Pass). Then again, I have done really well attending meetings and was literally 1.75 lbs from goal when I got pregnant again. But there is the cost factor! The online version is $65 for the first 3 months and then $17/month after that.
eDiets.com: probably the 2nd most well-known of the online diet programs. From doing a bunch of Googling, it looks like they are $18/month with a 3-month minimum (and a $25 cancellation fee if you cancel before the initial 3 months...but I don't see me losing 20 pounds in 3 months without changing my life in ways that I won't be able to stick to). They even have a diet that INCLUDES wine (the Mediterranean one) and me likey the vino!
Diet Bug: this is a "women only" weight loss site that gives you free meal plans and a personalized Diet Page. Oh - and it's free!
So which diet have I chosen? I'm not sure. I'm sort of leaning towards DietBug (because it's free) for a while until I get down to 10 pounds from my Goal...then I'll swoop in to Weight Watchers meetings for the last 10 pounds so I can finally get that stupid White Ribbon, the stupid Key Charm and the stupid Gold Membership book (not that I'm bitter for never having made Lifetime or anything). I don't think that you get any of those through the online program, but you also don't get them through going to meetings unless you lose a minimum of 10 pounds (in my area)
What diet are you following and why did you pick that one? What online sites can you recommend?
jaime
Wow... must be that time of year! I just started mine on monday. (i have a 19 month old whom i can no longer blame! hehe)
i like fitday.com. (the free version)
jaimes last blog post..
Michelle
There is another challenge going on here....http://bringinggoodhome.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/get-readyto-battle-the-bulge/
That's not my blog, but I've joined the challenge.
MY REASONS are different from yours. I need to lose some more weight so I can get pregnant again. I'm not at a healthy size right now.
The more accountability, the better.
I do weight watchers meetings with the pass so I also get online access. It's only $40 though here.
Sparkpeople is also free with some really cool tools and great recipes. Might take a look at that.
Michelles last blog post..Survivor
Manisha
I am on WW. I joined a long time ago, and paid for meetings every week. Then, I went to the online version. Now, I am in the swing of things, and I do it on my own and save the money.
Registration is usually 15-20 depending on the area. You could always go to a WW meeting, pay, and get all the information. Then, you can do their plan yourself.
There are a gazillion websites dedicated to WW - message boards, recipes, blogs, etc. I find it's one of the most represented diets out there. I personally find myself on the WW message boards often, and you can get tips, ideas, and support there.
Just a word of caution - one of the message boards is called the General Daily Thread (or GDT for short). I LOVE it there. But it is not a board that is full of puppy dogs, rainbows, and sunshine. You get loads of support, but we rarely talk WW on that particular board. And, even when we do, it's full of TOUGH love and tough support. You either love it, or you think we're mean.
That said, there are many many boards out there, both WW.com, and outside of the official WW site that are places to talk about the program. You don't have to pay for WW to use their official site.
I'm a big fan of WW. I have lost 35 lbs and kept it off for over 3 years. It takes work, but I think it's the best plan out there. And, I've tried them all.
Amanda Burke
That's so great that you're taking hold of your baby weight and want to do something about it. I have a few friends who are in your shoes and have been trying to lose their baby weight. I don't have any kids yet, but I do know how it's like trying to lose weight.I'm a pretty good, healthy eater, but my problem is finding time to exercise.
Anyway, if you want a kick start on losing weight, there's this herbal supplement called Stacker 2. I took them at the beginning of my diet and it definitely gave me a jump start. They have ingredients that help enhance fat oxidation, stimulate thermogenesis, and influence body weight and composition.
I actually work for the company that makes these herbal supplements, Stacker 2, and I hope you don't mind that I came by and told you about them.
If you have any quetions, feel free to email me.
Btw, if you want to know more about Appuloss Diet, check out their website: http://www.stacker2.com
Amanda Burke
Stacker 2 Ambassador
[email protected]
Kira
I usually focus on eating well and not really losing weight since I'm breastfeeding. But I'd really like to drop a few pounds before the end of the year. My biggest problem is sleep deprivation and snacking between meals. I'd like to do the diet boot camp program that's on my site, but I keep making excuses. I must not be ready yet.
supermommy
I use sparkpeople.com and it's awesome. Lots of exercise and diet info and a great forum.
Good luck!
supermommys last blog post..Ugh!
Manisha
Come to think of it - sparkpeople *is* fantastic. I used it in the beginning of WW to help me identify if I was getting the right balance of nutrition while staying within my points. It was really great, and I'm not sure why I stopped using it.
I think I'll revisit it.
By the way, I have recently started yoga 3-4 nights a week, and I run 2-3 miles a week. I have also been a bit more loose with my eating habits, and yet, I've maintained my weight. I have lost a pants size though.
Clearly, losing weight means you have to control your food intake. However, exercise definitely helps move things along. And, exercise doesn't have to be costly. A sturdy pair of running shoes, and a supportive sports bra is all you need - then go for a run/job in your neighborhood. It clears your head, too.