I have found a solution that works for me, and it is primarily about portion control (and exercising!!!). If you are drawn to these weight loss clubs for the prepared-meals, the ease of not having to think about what you are going to eat, or meals that are already appropriately proportioned...then you may want to try the self-assembly, meal preparation store! Not only did I lose some weight, I found it was actually cheaper for my family to eat these meals (saved money on grocery bill).
I believe it worked for me, for the simple fact that I go to the store once a month, prepare a month's worth of meals for my family (while in a social atmosphere, drinking wine or tea) in just 2 hours, and that's it! I know what is in the food because I prepared it myself (I choose to leave out extra salt or cheese or cream sauce; I can substitute tofu for meat in a dish...whatever I can do to make the food even healthier). The food is then brought home and put in the freezer (they supply all the containers, which are freezer and oven-safe).
(oh---and it does sound similar to what you described with the weight loss clubs, as you have to supply many of your own side dishes and vegetables with these dishes, but about half do include veggies).
This is great portion control, because you can't go back for seconds...what you have thawed the night before is what you have to eat. If you are still hungry, there are more veggies! :-) I do not have anything sweet in my house, besides fruit, which we use as our dessert (with whipped cream...yum!). Another motivator to not eat seconds is that we've alloted money for groceries each month, and each time you go for seconds, that is another night's worth of meals that you no longer have for your family. And believe me, the portions that you make for yourself at the store are plenty of food for an entire meal!
I save on my cooking time every night, as I am not slaving over a hot stove for an hour, trying to find a meal that we all like. Sure...I'll still cook, but when I want to. (oh--and clean-up is a breeze, because I just recycle the container).
I go to the grocery store for milk, bread and produce, and not much else. It saves on my time every week, and if I feel like cooking, then I'll try a new vegetable recipe.
All meal preparation/self-assembly stores are not alike. Some have healthier options than others. One place I tried already had some of the sauces prepared (they were trying to save store space, but I want to make everything myself so I can control ingredients).
I am not sure what stores are in which locations, but in my area, we have Super Suppers and Dream Dinners, as well as The Studio Kitchen.
Last thought I had---if you have found that some of your overeating is emotional eating or the psychological aspects of your mood, like being bored or sad, for instance, this helps with that, too. I realize that I was having to *think* about food constantly, from looking at recipes, writing food lists, thinking about what time I need to start preparing dinner, etc... this takes all the "thought" out of meals and food...it is a welcome relief!
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I have found a solution that works for me, and it is primarily about portion control (and exercising!!!). If you are drawn to these weight loss clubs for the prepared-meals, the ease of not having to think about what you are going to eat, or meals that are already appropriately proportioned...then you may want to try the self-assembly, meal preparation store! Not only did I lose some weight, I found it was actually cheaper for my family to eat these meals (saved money on grocery bill).
I believe it worked for me, for the simple fact that I go to the store once a month, prepare a month's worth of meals for my family (while in a social atmosphere, drinking wine or tea) in just 2 hours, and that's it! I know what is in the food because I prepared it myself (I choose to leave out extra salt or cheese or cream sauce; I can substitute tofu for meat in a dish...whatever I can do to make the food even healthier). The food is then brought home and put in the freezer (they supply all the containers, which are freezer and oven-safe).
(oh---and it does sound similar to what you described with the weight loss clubs, as you have to supply many of your own side dishes and vegetables with these dishes, but about half do include veggies).
This is great portion control, because you can't go back for seconds...what you have thawed the night before is what you have to eat. If you are still hungry, there are more veggies! :-) I do not have anything sweet in my house, besides fruit, which we use as our dessert (with whipped cream...yum!). Another motivator to not eat seconds is that we've alloted money for groceries each month, and each time you go for seconds, that is another night's worth of meals that you no longer have for your family. And believe me, the portions that you make for yourself at the store are plenty of food for an entire meal!
I save on my cooking time every night, as I am not slaving over a hot stove for an hour, trying to find a meal that we all like. Sure...I'll still cook, but when I want to. (oh--and clean-up is a breeze, because I just recycle the container).
I go to the grocery store for milk, bread and produce, and not much else. It saves on my time every week, and if I feel like cooking, then I'll try a new vegetable recipe.
All meal preparation/self-assembly stores are not alike. Some have healthier options than others. One place I tried already had some of the sauces prepared (they were trying to save store space, but I want to make everything myself so I can control ingredients).
I am not sure what stores are in which locations, but in my area, we have Super Suppers and Dream Dinners, as well as The Studio Kitchen.
Last thought I had---if you have found that some of your overeating is emotional eating or the psychological aspects of your mood, like being bored or sad, for instance, this helps with that, too. I realize that I was having to *think* about food constantly, from looking at recipes, writing food lists, thinking about what time I need to start preparing dinner, etc... this takes all the "thought" out of meals and food...it is a welcome relief!
Good luck! Let us know what you decide to try!
August 3, 2008 - 7:16amThis Comment
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