Trying to lose weight on a tight budget!
Replies
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My whole life I have felt....and been called....overweight. Although now I look back at photos and realize I was quite slim! The only time I ever lost significant weight is when my now-ex husband ended our 18 year relationship in 2012 by telling me he was sneaking around with my now-ex best friend and was leaving me for her!
I went into a depression and didn't eat a stitch of food for over three weeks, until my Mother made me go to the doctor. I lost about 16lbs. I could notice it in my face, thighs and my belly.
I started to feel better in a few weeks after medication and a lot of friendship therapy. I actually started to enjoy my new found size! For the first time in many, many years, I fit into a size 30 jean!! I was always a 36 or more!
A few months later, I met an amazing man, we are still together and going strong. But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit
I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
Many people blame lack of finances for their inability to eat properly. I think the real problem is people's reluctance to stop stuffing themselves with tasty substances which are not food and do nothing but destroy the body. The last time I was in my local Safeway, I bought potatoes, carrots and broccoli for a very healthy stew and it cost me less than a large bag of Doritos and a bottle of Pepsi. I am willing to bet my finances are worse than yours and I have no problem with buying healthy food. I don't think is so much a question of willpower as it is outlook. You have always seen the world a certain way but there are other ways of seeing it. Potatoes and carrots sound boring but they are good and cheap. Are you unable to afford what you want to eat or are you unwilling to eat what you can afford because it sounds bland or boring?0 -
First, I just want to say SO SORRY that your ex-husband was such a grade A douche bag! Wow. You definetly handled it "better" than I would. I'd be writing this from the jail library if I found out my guy was cheating w/ my friend. So, kudos on being STRONG enough to not break down. Sure, you were depressed, but that's natural. You didn't let it GET you.
Now, I'm broke, and when I say broke, I mean... B-R-O-K-E! Lolz. You can do at home exercises, using youtube... check out Fitness Blender on YT... the videos are really good. And, I know you said you don't like the cold, but you are going to need to step outside your comfort zone. Run, go to the park, just get out there and be mobile!
For food, how much do you spend a week? $50? Try the farmer's market. I spend about $20 on weekly fruits/veggies from a farmer's market. If I were to buy them at Stop & Shop (grocery store), it would be about $40-50. Get coupons, sign up on vendor sites, and they'll send you coupons every once in a while.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck!
Screw the ex husband, the friend is the SERIOUS *kitten*!!! OMG!!!
You have to want it bad enough to do it. I hate working out alone, I find I go to the gym and it really does a lot for me mentally as well as physically. I can suggest what I do but again you have to want to do it.
You could take a walk, do the stairs, park farther from the store entrances than you typically do, those are just simple things that you can change and you'll realize how quick those simple changes will impact you.0 -
We have a Dollarama which is a dollar store but they don't have much to choose from for food items and most of it isn't healthy!0
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Where do people find these farmer's markets where things are cheaper than the grocery store?! We went to one this weekend to compare, and everything we checked was more expensive yet than the organics at our local store.
I agree, I have never found farmer's markets near me where the prices are cheaper than the grocery store!
A lot of people often tell me that. I guess my town has one that's not like the norm. Mind you though, I've never been to a farmer's market before starting this weight loss. So, I don't have much to compare... as its the only one I go to. But, I spend like $5 yesterday on 2 heads of Romaine, 4 tomatoes, mushroom, and 4 bell peppers.
Holy crap! Do you live in the Southern Hemisphere? Where are you finding farm fresh tomatoes and bell peppers in February?0 -
Have you tried getting vanilla or other plain flavored yogurt and adding fresh fruit to it? I'm not a big yogurt person either but I will scarf it down with some fresh strawberries! Also, I'm just learning about the miracle nom that is spinach, what is your favorite way to eat it?
My go to now for yogurt is, HEB greek non fat vanilla yogurt with a liberal amount of cinnamon, a drizzle of honey, and a spoonful of dark chocolate chips. I went to the store a couple days ago and bought a bunch of different types to try out, but haven't beat the HEB brand yet.
I eat my spinach raw. Again, at HEB they sell tight wrapped 10oz bags of Texas grown spinach for around $2. I throw some in a bag and munch on it when I need to fill out a meal. I also LOVE putting it a pan with a bit of canola and watching the mountain cook down to nothing. Then I crack a couple eggs on it.
I was hungry before I started typing....now I'm hungrier.0 -
FYI: www.walkathome.com has a heart healthy walk posted on their site for free streaming this month. It is awesome and a great way to start. I have found that just a little bit of walking boosts my mood and metabolism.0
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I made a portabella pizza a couple weeks ago.....yum.0
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Thanks to everyone for all the great advice and ideas! I'm sure I can find a few that work for me. I am just start in out on this site so I am very appreciative of all your responses! There's lots I already knew and some I never knew! This site is already becoming useful! And I just want to add....that prices on fruits, veggies and meats like chicken vary quite widely depending on where you are. I try to watch for sales and use coupons when I can...but generally I find these items expensive here in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Thanks again everyone! I look forward to exploring and using this site in the days and weeks to come!0 -
two slices of wheat bread, a couple spoons of peanut butter, a sliced up banana, and a bit of honey make a mighty good sandwich....mighty good0
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Have you tried getting vanilla or other plain flavored yogurt and adding fresh fruit to it? I'm not a big yogurt person either but I will scarf it down with some fresh strawberries! Also, I'm just learning about the miracle nom that is spinach, what is your favorite way to eat it?
My go to now for yogurt is, HEB greek non fat vanilla yogurt with a liberal amount of cinnamon, a drizzle of honey, and a spoonful of dark chocolate chips. I went to the store a couple days ago and bought a bunch of different types to try out, but haven't beat the HEB brand yet.
I eat my spinach raw. Again, at HEB they sell tight wrapped 10oz bags of Texas grown spinach for around $2. I throw some in a bag and munch on it when I need to fill out a meal. I also LOVE putting it a pan with a bit of canola and watching the mountain cook down to nothing. Then I crack a couple eggs on it.
I was hungry before I started typing....now I'm hungrier.
I've never liked greek yogurt. I wish I did because it's better than the regular stuff
BUT the low fat stuff I will eat is still better than doritos. I absolutely love mushrooms with garlic butter.
Your spinach idea sounds phenomenal. I may have to fry eggs and mix it in with spinach; I adore egg yolks over medium because it's so rich.
And in response to your comment about portabella pizza, YES. those are wonderful. Sometimes I take the little ones and make pizza bites out of them. We had a treat last week and I made crab cakes (crab is so expensive here we can't eat it often) and stuffed big portabella caps with the cakes. It was phenomenal.... I'm so hungry now. But at least it's for healthy foods!0 -
my stomach is typing now...time to log off0
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My whole life I have felt....and been called....overweight. Although now I look back at photos and realize I was quite slim! The only time I ever lost significant weight is when my now-ex husband ended our 18 year relationship in 2012 by telling me he was sneaking around with my now-ex best friend and was leaving me for her!
I went into a depression and didn't eat a stitch of food for over three weeks, until my Mother made me go to the doctor. I lost about 16lbs. I could notice it in my face, thighs and my belly.
I started to feel better in a few weeks after medication and a lot of friendship therapy. I actually started to enjoy my new found size! For the first time in many, many years, I fit into a size 30 jean!! I was always a 36 or more!
A few months later, I met an amazing man, we are still together and going strong. But....recently I noticed I have put on at least 20lbs since the spring of 2013. My fav Guess skinny jeans (size 30!) which he bought me now no longer fit I can't even get them up past my knees. I cried for almost an hour. It's crazy how we never notice the weight piling up until it's too late but notice every little bit that leaves!
My finances also got seriously messed up and I am now living paycheck to paycheck. I can't afford most of the healthy stuff I want and should be eating, I can't afford a gym membership or any equipment. I DESPISE the cold so I don't get outside much in the winter. I sooooo want to fit back into those Guess skinny jeans....can anyone offer some pointers to someone on a serious budget?? Oh....and I have very little willpower or motivation. LOL I will be the first to admit, I am lazy...it's how I grew up. I didn't grow up in an active home, my mother is overweight.
Any advice will be appreciated....but please be gentle! LOL
Many people blame lack of finances for their inability to eat properly. I think the real problem is people's reluctance to stop stuffing themselves with tasty substances which are not food and do nothing but destroy the body. The last time I was in my local Safeway, I bought potatoes, carrots and broccoli for a very healthy stew and it cost me less than a large bag of Doritos and a bottle of Pepsi. I am willing to bet my finances are worse than yours and I have no problem with buying healthy food. I don't think is so much a question of willpower as it is outlook. You have always seen the world a certain way but there are other ways of seeing it. Potatoes and carrots sound boring but they are good and cheap. Are you unable to afford what you want to eat or are you unwilling to eat what you can afford because it sounds bland or boring?
Thanks for your reply but where im from (Nova Scotia, Canada) the veggies and fruits can get really expensive and same with various meats. Unfortunately prices in Canada tend to be higher than in the US. It might sound like an excuse but its a fact that prices are too high for someone on a low income. I'm not trying to get a pity party for my lack of financial success, just simply stating from my experience on a low income where I live. And everyone also has different opinions of cost and worth.0 -
I live in California so I don't know if food is here is more or less expensive than where you are - but I shop at Albertsons every 2 weeks. I spend $130-$150 every 2 weeks (that's just me & my husband I'm shopping for). I look at Albertsons ad's online when making my shopping list..
For example, this week on my list I have yogurt, shredded cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, bacon, lunch meat, fiber one bars, tortilla chips, tortillas, cracker/salty snack, muffin/brownie mix (for my hubby) whole grain pasta, cereal, bread, soup, bagels, tomato, onion, avocaod, zuchini, fruit, couple frozen pizzas, salsa, soda water, beer (not mine), & apple cider vinegar (I take shots of it everyday, love the stuff)
I have all that budgeted to cost about $130+tax.
I also use an excel spreadsheet for all of this with the items I plan to get & how much I plan to spend. I print out the list when I go shopping & if I go over or under my budget on an item I write it on the back (+2, -1, etc) once I have gotten everything I total up my over/under & if I came in under I'll get myself a treat that wasnt on my list :glasses:0 -
I adore egg yolks over medium because it's so rich.
best sandwich I ever ate was some type of homemade wheat toast, a nice helping of pulled pork, sauteed peppers and topped with a sunny side egg. You take one bite and yolk is running down your fingers. Amazing sandwich.0 -
I was in a similar situation after my ex-husband left me and I can understand where you are coming from. I also had the lazy side of me and because of that my weight has gone all over the place over the past couple of years.
I have decided that 2014 was going to be MY year and I would loose the weight in a healthy way once and for all. I researched a lot of stuff in relation to food/diet/budgets and stuff and My BF and I have a budget of about $80.00 per week and we are actually trying to cut that down further
Also I am in no way trying to be rude here, but the lazy thing has to stop. It’s the only way to do it right it to get up and moving. As my mother says “nothing worthwhile is easy, but its rewarding”. I was the same way but I am chosing not to be that way and work for what I want. Because its for me and nobody else
So below are a few tips I use for helping me get motivated and organized.. (I’m not going to lie its tough at times, but stick with it and it will pay off)
- Research cheap meals and when the products go on sale buy them
- Meal plan
- Go meatless once or twice a week. There are some great vegetarian meals out there
- Spend half an hour the night before preparing the meal lunches/dinner for the next day
- Don’t be afriad to make your lunch instead of buying. Its cheaper and healthier. Remember the average lunch is $15.00, times that by a work week and you have spend 75 (average) on lunhes when you use that to shop for the entire week
- Look up reciepes for freezer friendly meals and spend a day on the weekend with the radio on preparing/cooking all those meals. Its also a great date day with the boyfriend as well. Me and my boyfriend do this every so often. Its nice to “hang out” with him again
- Youtube is great for free exercise videos
- Bring your workout clothes with you (if you are exercising outside) to do it right after work/school. Same if you are coming home, put your stuff on right away and get it done. Don’t give yourself a chance to sit down
- Most people have calenders on their iphone, use it to set up and put exercise appointments in. We put other appointments in like doctors and dentist so why not exercise.
- If you don’t feel like exercising tell yourself 10 minutes. I have never just done ten after saying that because I continue, but if you feel like stopping after 10 then at least you have done ten minutes (better than nothing)
- Put YOURSELF first.
- (I am the worst for this) If you find a great tasty cheap meal, eat it all the time until you get sick of it.
- If watching commercials when they come on do squats, situps, whatever then next commerical try to beat that nunber before.
I hope these tips help you a bit in your quest and wish you the best of luck in your journey.0 -
I also check flyers before grocery shopping. I try to go where the best sales are. I believe our prices here in Canada vary quite differently than the US.0
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I live in California so I don't know if food is here is more or less expensive than where you are - but I shop at Albertsons every 2 weeks. I spend $130-$150 every 2 weeks (that's just me & my husband I'm shopping for). I look at Albertsons ad's online when making my shopping list..
For example, this week on my list I have yogurt, shredded cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, milk, bacon, lunch meat, fiber one bars, tortilla chips, tortillas, cracker/salty snack, muffin/brownie mix (for my hubby) whole grain pasta, cereal, bread, soup, bagels, tomato, onion, avocaod, zuchini, fruit, couple frozen pizzas, salsa, soda water, beer (not mine), & apple cider vinegar (I take shots of it everyday, love the stuff)
I have all that budgeted to cost about $130+tax.
I also use an excel spreadsheet for all of this with the items I plan to get & how much I plan to spend. I print out the list when I go shopping & if I go over or under my budget on an item I write it on the back (+2, -1, etc) once I have gotten everything I total up my over/under & if I came in under I'll get myself a treat that wasnt on my list :glasses:
Wonderful idea and great job at planning out your trips! I tally my total as we shop and am usually within a couple of dollars when we check out, but I wish I was that organized!0 -
I never buy my lunch! Can't afford to! Lol I'm lucky if I have enough to buy a coffee once in a while. Thanks for all your great tips too
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old fashioned oatmeal, cinnamon, some dark chocolate, whipped honey butter (bought from a local farmer, you might be out of luck) and about 30 minutes of your time. Very good....0
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STOP BUYING CUPS OF COFFEE!! Save up and invest in a coffee pot. Buy whole bean coffee and stick in the freezer. Better tasting and cheaper in the long run.0
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It costs nothing to eat a little less, so you're in luck!0
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I have a coffee pot. And to clarify, I said I am lucky if I can afford a coffee "once in a while". I'm talking maybe once a month. I am not one of those people that can afford that everyday.STOP BUYING CUPS OF COFFEE!! Save up and invest in a coffee pot. Buy whole bean coffee and stick in the freezer. Better tasting and cheaper in the long run.0 -
Do you have ALDI or Trader Joe's in your area? Both those stores are extremely budget friendly. I also have has success with cutting down on grocery bills by cutting reducing meat consumption.0
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Do you have ALDI or Trader Joe's in your area? Both those stores are extremely budget friendly. I also have has success with cutting down on grocery bills by cutting reducing meat consumption.
Unfortunately, no.0 -
Give me his address, I'l go egg his house! And I hope you beat your exbest friends *kitten*! Hey my best friend of 14 years robbed my house clean while I was on vacation so I get how betrayed you feel
Seriously, I have 4 kids to feed girl I have to buy CHEAP!
Look up some low calorie recipes on pinterest. I love this crockpot chicken soup I make, and baked ziti with lasagna, broccoli chicken casserole. All of those cost about $8-$10 to make but it lasts me 4-5 days!0 -
I spend about 8 dollars a day on food now (I spoil myself) but when I was borderline homeless (Couch-hopping), I used to survive on a dollar or less a day.
Rice in bulk. 15 pound bag for 8 dollars or so. It goes pretty far. Peanut butter is a dense calorie food for not a lot. Flour+eggs+water tends to make a lot of different foods and is reasonably priced.0 -
Lentils and brown rice can be great dietary assistants - lots of protein and healthy carbs. If you're a fair cook (or willing to experiment) you can add a lot of variety to this simple combination with curries or similar sauces. Hope this helps!0
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My mother was ery over weight and so is my sister. I was smaller when I was young but now I am really battling. I think of my mom and altho she was a good mom to me i don't want to be like her. Put a picture of your mom on the fridge or near the tv. when you want to be lazy think of her and is this the way you want to be. My mother died of a heart attack in her 70's. I plan on kayaking instead. You can fight bad habits just has to be worth it to you.0
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Leslie Sansone on Youtube. She's helped me lost a little weight and drop a lot of inches! FitnessBlender has good videos, as well, on the Youtube! 0
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Do you have ALDI or Trader Joe's in your area? Both those stores are extremely budget friendly. I also have has success with cutting down on grocery bills by cutting reducing meat consumption.
Unfortunately, no.
Dang! That's what I was going to ask! Aldi saved our budget! Hmm..if you have the patience, coupons work wonders. You can also get groceries at Dollar Tree. Many of them even have freezer sections!0
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