Chocolate chip pancakes are a Sunday night tradition at my house. My kids would protest LOUDLY if I nixed our tradition just because I'm on a diet. But, there is NO way I can sit at our kitchen table and eat a salad while they indulge in chocolate sugary yumminess.
So, what's a mom to do? Pancakes are clearly NOT on any diet plan, or are they? Is it possible to have my (pan)cake and eat it, too? I think so!
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| Credit: potaufeu |
An eating plan helps me get fit and enjoy a family food tradition.
An eating plan structures when, what and how much I eat.
Most healthy plans recommend 3 balanced meals and 2 small snacks each day. They also tell you how many servings or amounts of each type of food to eat. By using a specific plan you can insure that your body is receiving a variety of nutrients.
If you are looking for a balanced meal plan I recommend:
- Biggest Loser Diet. The popular television show has produced several books (linked to my review), workout DVDs and other products. I used this diet last summer and lost 15 pounds. I am using the Biggest Loser 4-3-2-1 food plan now to lose 10 more pounds.
- Food Pyramid. The USDA has a website FULL of tips and information for eating healthy. They also have a customizable daily food plan and a free online tracking system.
- Weight Watchers. I have never used them but I know people who successfully lost weight with their system.
A weekly menu chart helps me track my eating plan.
I have a terrible memory. Absolutely terrible. In order to remember how many servings of protein I've eaten throughout the day I must write them down.
I'm tired of scribbling on bits of paper so I designed an eating plan tracking chart to use during the next 6 weeks. My chart lists 3 meals, 2 snacks and has a space for each day of the week. I use the chart to plan my menu for each week. As I eat each item I cross it off on the plan. This allows me to easily count up the servings I've eaten.
A menu plan also allows me to eat pancakes every Sunday night. Because I know that I'll be eating 2-3 servings of grain (each pancake is one serving) I plan my breakfast and lunch without grains. I eat pancakes and still follow my diet. It's a win-win situation!
What diet plan are you using? How do you track calories, servings or points?
Visit Stephanie's Mommy Facebook page to download a copy of my eating plan tracking chart.
Read the other posts in this series: 10 Steps to Get Fit, Set Fitness Goals, How to Fail Proof Your Weight Loss, How to Plan to Exercise.
10 comments:
Stephanie, I've never used WW but I've heard great things about them. I think the key is to find a system that works for you and stick with it! Sounds like WW is the right system for you at this time.
I cut out sugar and eat only whole foods- all fruits/veggies, proteins, eggs, real butter, plain live yogurt, etc.
You can be a sexy person if you lessen your sugar intakes everytime you eat.
Sounds like you have come up with a good balance in your eating. I like the chart idea. I would never remember this stuff either. I would definitely have to write it down!
Stephanie, would you mind showing us a filled out menu plan for the week? I have found that there are great ways to break down a recipe to find out the calorie contents, but this is always the tedious work for me.
I cut out sugar and eat only whole foods- all fruits/veggies, proteins, eggs, real butter, plain live yogurt, etc.
I'm doing WW online as well. I like it for the same reasons as the other Stephanie. =) I found it successful after Bookworm1 was born so we're doin' it again through the summer after Bookworm2 to kick start things. I don't want to pay for it indefinitely though and I find that once I start figuring out the point system, I can do fairly well on my own. But I need a refresher course, to be sure!
I'm using Weight Watcher online (and on my phone) to track right now and LOVE it. I meal plan on paper, but to keep up with my points, I use their online system since they will do a lot of the figuring for me. : ) My brain needs the help right now, and I love the WW system.
J.Lynne, I'll put together an example of a filled in chart.
Carrie and Stephanie, you make me want to join WW just to be a part of the group! :)
Charity, cutting sugar and limiting carbs has been key for me.
sounds like a good idea, i am going to try it!
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