Dummy me, I signed up for this. We had our first info meeting on Tuesday, and I am scared to death! Well, let me rephrase that. I don't know how in the world I can do the first week's diet. Not because I'll be hungry or don't have the willpower, but because of my girls' crazy sports schedule, we eat at Subway and Pizza Hut all the time! We only eat at home maybe 2 or 3 times a week. How can I eat restrictively when I have no time? And even when we are home, I don't want to fix two different meals. To top it off, Dh hasn't been that supportive. I've asked him to not refer to this as a "diet," especially in front of the girls (I am very anti-diet...so why am I doing this?), but he still does. He's also said I don't need to do this, and that he's afraid after it's all done, I'll gain even more weight. I only want to learn some healthier eating habits and drop a few pounds so that I'm more comfy in my clothes. This shouldn't be a big deal, but I feel like I'm already setting myself up for failure. "Curves Watchers" (as my youngest dd calls it) begins Tuesday. I'm scared!

By Musicmom on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 04:15 pm:

Janet, I'm not familiar with what the Curves LIFESTYLE change is like. Is is counting calories? I think with your schedule that it will just take planning on your part to make it work. Like when you go to Subway, get on their website and find the subs that work with your new lifestyle change and vow not to get the chips and hold the mayo and cheese. You can do this. Also, think ahead by packing dinners or crockpot if that works for you. That way when you come home, if you only have a 20 mins to eat and leave, dinner is already done. Have the girls set the table and make the salad. If you make 2 meals and you double them then you can freeze the leftovers or just reheat them later in the week for quick dinners.

Go heavy on the veggies. I have found a great low cal and low fat Ranch. It's runnier than normal but that means less used. It's a buttermilk ranch dry packet and then mixing it with the lowest fat buttermilk you can find in your store and mixing it with 1 3/4 c. buttermilk and 1/4 c. ff mayo. Mix well and chill.

By Janet on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 04:19 pm:

Actually, they have a six-week menu planned out for you. Three meals plus two snacks a day. You really don't have any wiggle room, since it's designed to drastically reduce your calorie intake the first week, then gradually build it back up with high-protein foods. The theory is to "up" your metabolism to make your workouts more efficient. I don't like the one week of starvation, but I do like some of the options. I think what I might do is just do the best I can, and when it's impossible, make better choices. You have good suggestions, too. Thanks!

By Debbie on Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 06:30 pm:

Janet, here is my 2 cents, you can take it for what it is worth. If you do something that you know you can't follow, you are setting yourself up to fail. You have to make lifestyle changes that you can continue forever. I would suggest just making small changes, like if you eat white bread switch to wheat, if you use regular cheese, switch to 2%, make sure and keep fresh fruit and veggies around, etc. I can totally relate to being busy. Both my boys are playing sports right now, so between games and practices, it seems like we have something every night. I use my crookpot a lot! I also make sure I plan my meals at the beginning of the week. I do all prep work ahead of time, so it is easy to get a meal ready. Also, like Tracy mentioned, I make sure to make double, so we have leftovers, which are quick on busy nights. Also, you can make good choices with fast food, it is hard, but you can do it. Good luck to you!