Losing weight on a budget

[singingpixie]

Hi everyone,
I'm a recent college grad, and DBF (living together for 2 years) still has a year of school left, so money is tight. I'd like to lose about 30 lbs, but I'm having a hard time making a plan because I don't have the money to pay for a plan, gym membership, etc. I think this is what I'm looking at doing- a healthy cereal for breakfast (not the sugary kid kind), a slim-fast shake for lunch, some sort of low-calorie snack at work, and then being more flexible with dinner, more portion-control than making special food. As far as excercise goes, I think I'm just going to make sure I take long walks/jogs every day since that's free. Do all you experienced people think this is enough to make my goal, or am I just kidding myself? I'd love any of your suggestions!

 

[NCRedding]

I think your plan sounds very do-able. I actually prefer to walk instead of having to make the decision to go to the gym. I belong to Curves, but I spend more time walking than there.

I think any time that you eat more meals at home (or brought from home) you save money and calories. Just do the planning like you're doing, and you'll be on your way.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

It sounds like a good plan. I like All Bran for breakfast with 8th Continent light vanilla soymilk. It adds a sweet taste to any cereal. Slim-fast never kept me full, try adding some low cal choices, salads with balsamic vingar, carrots, fruit.
Also sign up for the September Exercise Challenge to help keep you on track with you exercise.

I finally signed up for Weight Watchers this year, I just couldn't do it on my own. It runs only 12 a week and I get to eat normal food.

Good Luck

 

[MelanieC]

I'm on Weight Watchers and love it.

I usually eat Kashi Autumn Harvest for breakfast. I measure out 4 oz of milk (Horizon is my favorite). It's so tasty.

I usually take left over's from dinner the night before. When I don't take left over's I take a turkey sandwich with mustard on whole wheat or a whole wheat tortilla. A wrap with hummus and veggies or something along this line.

Don't worry about a gym membership. Walking is free.

You may find healthier eating can be less expensive if you buy whole grains and the likes. You may even want to eat real food for lunch and skip the slim fast. I find it's easier to maintain when you learn to loose while eating real food. It's practice for real life. For me Weight Watchers allows me to eat real food while loosing. If you eat the right kinds of food, you really get to eat a LOT of food.