I have a handful of meals that are really fast to prepare. Costco salmon burgers take 20 minutes in the oven once it's preheated (maybe hubby could do start the preheat, esp. if you called to remind him the first few times), cook straight from the freezer so I don't even have to remember to defrost in advance, and I can quickly prepare a couple of sides while they cook. Even faster in the microwave or cooked in a pan on the stovetop. They have premade chicken burgers that are another good high protein, super-fast option. I also use frozen turkey meatballs - add pasta for my husband, just sauce and a little parmesan for me. If you can brainstorm some super-fast options like this, it's a bit easier to deal with the dinner rush. And, you don't have to eat what your family eats. I know it's hard, but if you have some options you LIKE, it's easier. Also, figure out what some GOOD choices are for fast food when you do cave in. You can get good protein options most places - ditch the bun, the fries, the rice, whatever. Focus on the protein.
For lunch, I'm lucky in that I have a food court in the building with a couple of good options - a salad bar with some protein options on the hot food bar, or a sandwich shop (ditch the bread, eat the lettuce, tomato, and lunchmeat). I also buy salad fixings with some protein (lunch meat, tuna, cold cooked salmon, cottage cheese) over the weekend, and bring the whole shebang to work, and make the salad on my lunch break. I'm WAY more likely to do that than to get a salad assembled in the morning before I leave the house, and I don't like to prep everything on the weekend- some things don't last through the week very well once they've been washed and cut.
Snacking's a hard one, and a lot of us struggle with it. I find the first few days are really hard when I'm trying to break the habit, but it gets a lot easier by day 4. Those first few days I have a bunch of coping strategies - I go through a LOT of sugarless gum, drink a ton of tea (sugar free) or sugar free hot cocoa or protein drinks, or sugar free apple cider, set a timer after meals to MAKE myself wait before drinking or eating again.
You can get back on track. For me the key was realizing I couldn't wait until it wasn't a struggle. It wasn't going to happen magically, and I wasn't going to suddenly really want to. I just had to muster together my determination, remind myself of my goals and the rewards of success, and suffer through those first few days.
Good luck!
Beth

I have definitely struggled with letting old bad habits creep in. One of my program's cardinal rules is "No unplanned eating." I have been very guilty lately of "grazing" my way through the day -- one piece of candy here, another piece of candy there, a handful (or 10) of cheese popcorn. I always log it, but I also realize that I am going down the wrong path. My goal this week is to stop the grazing and unplanned eating. I packed massive healthy lunches and snacks for my work days and my fridge is stocked with healthy stuff that's already prepped. I'm logging everything at the beginning of the day and sticking to it.

Unfortunately, it doesn't get easier when you get closer to goal.

Just a couple of ideas for fast dinners. The gorton's fishermans grilled fish there is talapia and salmon ect all really low cal and only about 20 min in the oven. Also I purchased a pampered chef deep covered baker it has been a life saver. You can really cook about 4 boneless skinless chicken breast in it in the the micowave for about 30 min its fast and you can season the chicken with different spices to change it up. Even do things like add franks hot wing sauce for mock chicken wings. Fajitas are pretty fast too doesn't take long to cook up fajita meat in a pan then just put in a whole wheat torilla top with cheese sour cream ect.

My new favorite crockpot meal, that provides lots of protein and lots of leftovers:

Any 2-pound cut of beef -- I buy whatever is cheap and lean. Today I used a cross-cut roast, but last time I bought 2 london broils that were on sale. If you use a roast, you may want to cut it up into smaller pieces so it will absorb the sauce better.

One can of enchilada sauce.

Two beef boullion cubes -- you can leave these out if you watch your sodium.

Put it in and let it cook for 4-5 hours on high, or all day on low. Pull it out and shred it into small chunks when you come home. Serve in tortillas or just eat it by itself with taco fixings.

Easy, easy, easy... weigh and pack your leftovers in small gladware containers and to pack in your lunch for the rest of the week.

Definitely pack your leftovers into individual servings, instead of into one big container. It saves so much time during the week to have quick meals already measured and ready to go. I just finished packing all my stuff for tomorrow. I work 12-hour days with a 40 minute one-way commute, so I take breakfast, lunch, dinner and several snacks with me. Sometimes I take my chances on the cafeteria for one meal, but that can be dicey.

Wanted to give everyone an update...in the last two weeks since my post, I have kicked my sweet tea habit (it was lots easier than I thought it would be...I just chose to not drink it and now I don't like the taste of it) and am watching what I eat, making better choices, and being more active...and I have lost 9.4 pounds! YAY!

So thanks again to every one for helping me get back where I needed to be!

Kelly

Awesome!!!