In my house there are three humans and three dogs. We also have a roommate and her little one that will be somewhat a part of our food planning.
Since 2009, I have gained 70lbs, now I was already on the heavy side but was working on losing weight - going to the gym, walking 3 miles a day and eating healthy. Since 2009, I was in a car accident and I fell down some stairs and I gained weight. All of these things have caused me to break my spine in 3 locations, I have arthritis in my whole spine, nerve damage and I hurt all day every day. What is worse, is I now have a fear of pain and because of all the meds I have been on over the years, even going to the dentist and having work done, causes me more pain than it should. I can't keep living like this.
In 2013, I was blessed to marry my best friend, and in less than 2 years from that date I gained 40lbs - that is part of the 70lbs. My hubby has gained 40lbs and my youngest daughter has also gained 40lbs. According to our doctor we are all obese and all of us need to lose weight - with my youngest needing to lose 50lbs.
So how are we going to do this on 1 income? Well, we are going to do the following:
- Every Sunday we will do our meal planning for the week. What does this mean? It means, we will go through our recipe books and online. We will then go through our inventory (our pantry) and see what we have, so we can create a shopping list of items we don't have. Then we will go through our coupons and see if we have any that will work. Next, we will go through our local ads and Facebook for our local farmers market to see what is on sale and work everything into our budget.
- We need to make a menu that will consist of 3 meals and 2 snacks a day for 3 people. All of it around 1600 calories. In a couple of weeks, we will add back in more carbs.
- We will be working with a nutritionist and our doctor to make sure we are healthy.
- We will also be cutting out some sugars and starches and trading in for something a little healthier.
- It may mean, also that we will go shopping more than once a week in order to make sure we have fresh veggies and fruit.
- All of this has to be done within a budget - which for us is currently $250 for food a month.
- We also want to include healthy dog snacks within this budget if we could as well from some of the leftovers.
Now I will be pulling recipes I find that are low-carb, fat-free, a set amount of calories, gluten free and so much more. My goal with all of this is to teach us to live within our budget and to change our eating lifestyle into being healthier people.
Are you ready to join me on this journey? Okay, if so here is what you need to get started.
- Talk to your spouse/SO/etc. and discuss a budget
- Buy a 1"Binder and a Three-whole punch
- Print our a Meal Schedule and a Shopping list (I will have one created for you to print out within a week)
- Start collecting coupons if you haven't and purchase coupon sleeves that can go into your binder
- Three-whole punch your Shopping list and put it into your Binder
- Sit down with your family and create a menu - you can use this site, other recipes you find on Pinterest and more.
- Go through your pantry and make an inventory of what you currently have it put that in your Binder as well.
- Post your Meal Schedule on your Fridge
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