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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI cut out sugar and eat only whole foods- all fruits/veggies, proteins, eggs, real butter, plain live yogurt, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou can be a sexy person if you lessen your sugar intakes everytime you eat.
ReplyDeleteSounds 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!
ReplyDeleteStephanie, 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.
ReplyDeleteI cut out sugar and eat only whole foods- all fruits/veggies, proteins, eggs, real butter, plain live yogurt, etc.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteJ.Lynne, I'll put together an example of a filled in chart.
ReplyDeleteCarrie 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!
ReplyDelete