Oct 09 2008
I Think I Know Why I am Not Skinny Yet
I eat too much. There could also be an issue with the fact that I don’t get enough exercise. What do you guys think?
There are so many excuses for not eating right and working out. Expense is probably the biggest one right now. In addition to my food journals, mood journals, and secret journals, I have started keeping track of grocery shopping, how much I spend, how much I get, and where I go. I have discovered some things that will help me eliminate expense as a hurdle in eating right.
First of all, Kroger by far has offered me the most food for my buck. Meijer is more convenient and I often go there because I am tired and just want to get it over with, but Kroger’s sales, on top of their prices, are significantly better than anybody else.
Next, when I started adding all the good and healthy fresh foods and organics to my cart my orders became so much more expensive. The big problem here, though, is that I was trying to work all that fresh and specialty food into my “monthly” shopping trip. Of course those foods don’t last a month so I was throwing it away after a week or so and THEN having to spend even more money to replace it. Dumb dumb dumb. So they key for me is to shop more frequently.
The last big no brainer for me was realizing if I am going to make the commitment to eat this fresh, organic stuff, I shouldn’t be stocking up on my favorite dill pickle chips, soda, and spice drops. Another cut to my grocery bill.
I think there remains room to organize and improve because I still end up throwing stuff away that I shouldn’t.
If you want to take it a step further, check out the efficiency of the other items on your shopping list. I discovered that the kids were eating 2 weeks worth of lunch snacks in a matter of days and neglecting the grapes and cucumbers. That equals wasted produce and more money spent to replenish the lunch crackers. Our other biggie was toilet paper and paper towels. I spend a fortune on those and have always “felt” that something wasn’t right but never took the time to examine it. I found gigantic wads of toilet paper in the trash where people blow their nose -or who knows what- and don’t pay attention to what they use. Wasteful and bad for the environment and the bank account.
So before you dismiss healthy eating as too expensive, take a look at your current buying and spending habits. I bet you’ll find some fat you can trim.
Thanks to Eat Right Ontario for the cool pic!
While I had never looked at it that way you are right. There are areas where I could cut down on expenses so that I can afford the more healthier food options.
This is true. I don’t eat as much as before but I eat more organic and selective food which means no waste either.
smalltown… good! Glad it made sense to you
yanjiaren… exactly my point. It can be done, it just takes a little work to reorganize… especially if you’re shopping and cooking for a family.]
Thanks for your comments!
First off, that first paragraph gave me a chuckle.
Second, it is a bad habit, but I think we all toss more produce than we should. Either because you buy too much at a time or you have the INTENTION of eating healthy, but the crap is more convenient.
Third, oh my lord, the toilet paper. I think people are obsessed with it! My grandma rolls it around her hand before using. I watched my 2 year old godchild and I took 3 squares. I don’t count generally, but I happened to notice how much I took for her. She got mad and said it’s not enough. Um, you have a half an inch area to wipe, what do you mean 3 square is not enough?
Fourth, I have gotten into the select a size paper towels. We use so many less that way. If you must use paper towels, get the select a size, most brands, even generic, have them.
Fifth, I don’t know why I felt the need to number my answers.
~Kelly
http://www.30somethingandsearching.today.com/
You know, after 40 years (well, probably 30) of worrying about weight, I do truly think it has to do with exercise, and the lack thereof! Case in point: Me. I lost over 50 lbs from last October til this June. Why? Because I got a job at Meijer, in the Produce Department. http://www.ehow.com/how_4535055_lose-pounds-less-than-months.html
Then, due to unforseen circumstances, I had to give up the job, and thusly gave up the only true workout I’ve ever had!
When you work out or work at a physically demanding job, you can lose weight AND still be able to consume some favorites, even though they may not be as good for you!
Our big cutback has been to stop buying the junk. No more regular soda, no more potato chips and popcorn, and no more ice cream (Ben & Jerrys be damned!!) Even if you cut back on one of those, think of all the fat and calories you have eliminated.
I wish you well on your journies through Kroger and Meijer!!
Girlfriend I hear ya!… I’m another chick from Detroit- and a mommy just trying to make it! Damn, I so wanna lose my “divorce weight”!.. lol so what did I do?… i got a free juicer from craigslist, and I’ve been juicing like crazy!… yes, you so can not buy fresh fruit and veggies for the month… lol I go every 3 or 4 days, and it’s really exciting personally for me, since I can’t afford to do anything else right now. lol
Keep up the great work here…
-spy
First off, I want a Kroger in my area, someone get on that please.
Second, as someone who is currently stuck in my weight loss, I definitely notice I lose more after working more hours a week. Not sure thats a good thing though.
Unfortunately for me, I work full time, it takes a lot of looking to find healthy foods to make from scratch that don’t take as long. Of course, getting the kids to eat them takes manuvering too.
Oh my goodness so many wonderful comments and I missed them! Dangit!
Kelly, I love when you visit. Your comment was a post on its own. (I tend to number and outline my comments as well!)
Miragi. I can’t wait to hop over to your website to check you out. Keep up the good work. You can do it even without the job.
spygrrl. Detroit in the house! You have “divorce” weight and I have “adoption” weight. Why do we let these things happen to ourselves? Keep going on your juicer! I just sold mine in a garage sale a couple weeks ago because I never ever used it. Now I suddenly miss it.
Hey Nipsy! You just named off several of our challenges. Working full time I had less time to cook healthy but was much more active. Working part time and now blogging, HELLO SPREADING BOOTIE!
Thanks everyone!!!