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Need suggestions

December 15th, 2009 at 03:05 am

This isn't exactly financial...well, maybe little bit. I have made it thru the whole year and lost a little weight and then gained it all back plus a few extra pounds that I REALLY didn't need! I called a weight management place that sounds promising on their ads - no gimmicks, no drugs, just support and a personalized plan. The initial consulation is free. (I imagine it's pretty much a sales pitch). Then there is an up front fee of $249 for various testing. I can get a health risk assessment free at work, but that only dropped it down to $205. I'm not sure what all is included, because I was pretty disheartened after hearing that it didn't drop the price by much.

Then, there is a $99 fee for 10 visits. Fair enough. But then, the kicker. They "require" you to buy various supplements, starting at $1.95 and up, and most people need 2-3 of those per day!! Holy cow!

I can't figure out why I even considered calling them, since we don't have THAT kind of money to spend. I don't care how much it saves over time; I just can't justify the cost right now, and I can't justify the cost when I know that I can DO this on my own. I just have a really hard time committing to it.

So, I started really thinking about this today, and listing some sample meal plans that would work for me. I could get down to 1500 calories per day, and if I started walking again, I think that would be enough to get things moving in the right direction. It all sounded good in theory, while I was at my desk at work, and then I realized my biggest problem lately. I have a long drive home from work, and I often stop to pick up groceries or other items we need on the way home. While I'm there, I frequently pick up a snack "for the ride home". That is going to be a tough habit to break!!

So....I need suggestions. What are some of the ways you (if you've have a situational habit you needed to break) successfully distracted yourself enough to break the habit? I listen to the radio if I can find something I like. I don't have an ipod, MP3 player, CD or tape player in the car, or I'd consider listening to books on tape or something that I knew I wanted to hear. I definitely don't want to talk on the cell phone while I'm driving, even though it's tempting some times. (Paying by the minute is the cure for that temptation.) I just really need brainwashing. LOL

Any helpful suggestions?

9 Responses to “Need suggestions”

  1. frugaltexan75 Says:
    1260848758

    Well ... what's helped me curb my desire to stop and get a snack during the week is the no-s diet. If it is a weekday and I'm tempted to get a snack, I just repeat to myself that today is an N day (no snacks, sweets, seconds) and all I have to do is wait till the weekend if I really want it. It may sound simplistic, but it seriously has worked for me.

    If you aren't into the idea of the No-S plan ... maybe keep a bottle of water to drink in your car on your drive home. Plan out your shopping stops to only once a week - if you forget something, wait till the next planned trip. Pay yourself the cost of whatever snack you might have picked up - put it towards new clothes (for as you get smaller) or something else motivational.

    Also, if you haven't already, you might want to check out sparkpeople.com. It is a free site devoted to helping people live a healthier life (lose weight/maintain/get healthy). (no-s also is totally free - no calorie counting plan) Big Grin

  2. Petunia Says:
    1260848815

    Well. . .

    All of our habits meet a need . . . but maybe not the one you think they do. I had a bad, bad Starbucks habit, but my habit was not about the coffee - it was about positive social contact. When I was able to get more positive social contact it was easy to curb my Starbucks habit. It took a bit to realize what my real need was, and until that was met all of my attempts at cutting back were fruitless.

    I'm also breaking a snacking-at-a-specific-time habit, and it's hard. Sometimes I have a cup of coffee or bottle of water, listen to the radio, visit with others who are waiting, etc. A few months have gone by and it's still hard . . . just not as hard as it was.

    Might I suggest looking into the No-S diet? I've gotten interested in this through Laura/FrugalTexan and it's had a good effect on me. You can read about it here: http://www.nosdiet.com/.

  3. Petunia Says:
    1260848916

    Looks like Laura and I were posting at the same time, LOL.

  4. whitestripe Says:
    1260849039

    i bought a 1gb ipod shuffle about two years ago for $65 (a lot cheaper than that weight management company is offering!) which is good to listen to when driving and walking. i find when listening to music when walking i walk faster, and for longer.

    other than that, i try to have a bottle of water in the car that i make myself drink on the way home. you could try putting lemon in it or something if you don't neccesarily like plain water.

    i know it's probably not something you want to hear, but i find that i can only break 'habits' when i really want to. i need a clear head and determination to start it off, and then my progress is what makes me keep going. i only ever succeed at weight/fitness/other goals when i am 'ready' to do them. you just have to get into a good mindset first.this could be spurned on by reading a book on health, or seeing a friend that has lost weight, or whatever.

    sorry, hope i wasnt totally useless.

  5. homebody Says:
    1260849068

    I am on low carb and now that I have lost a few pounds and my pants are not tight, that is enough of an incentive for me to stick to it. I drink a lot of decaf ice tea mixed with Crystal Light Raspberry lemonade. I would have to say that helps me stick to it.

    Low carb is the only diet I can do, otherwise I am starving constantly. I actually gained 10 pounds on a eat as much fruit and veges along with moderate carbs and protein. I eat carbs, I get hungry.

  6. lizajane Says:
    1260849756

    Thanks for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming! I'll check out the nosdiet. I was meaning to google this anyhow after seeing some of Laura's posts.

  7. monkeymama Says:
    1260888989

    I've heard good things about 3fatchicks.com - something like that - for free advice and support. Just a tip.

  8. Ima saver Says:
    1260889688

    I agree with the low carb diet idea!(but I like meat a lot)

  9. CouponAddict Says:
    1260889950

    I paid $1,500 for a 3 month weight loss program with a lifetime membership. I learned alot, I personally just need to do something about the things that stand in the way of me achieving my goals, and get back to where I was a year ago. (But I do know what they are so it is do able). I had lost 40 pounds and kept it off for a year and a half.

    The best thing out of the program that I can offer to you is this. One of the books they placed in packet was Dr. Phil McGraw The Ultimate Weught Solution.

    The book actually is totally inline with the program it is scary. The other thing I would suggest is check to see if you are getting enough fiber, fiber pills are available over the counter in a generic. Are you taking a multi-vitamin and calcium?

    Good Luck1!

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