All the money I've spent so far.

First, let me say, this post is ALL matter of opinion. I am not putting down a program/method that worked for you, or saying it doesn’t work for anyone. There are just some things that didn’t work for me personally, or weren’t worth the money in my opinion. That being said, here it is.

The first “diet” I ever paid money to follow was Weight Watchers. I had seen my mom follow it and lose weight successfully on it while I was in high school. I gained 20 pounds after graduation and was feeling so uncomfortable in my clothes. I signed up for a meeting and loved it. I lost 19 pounds in 5 months, slow and steady. Then I went to Italy for close to a month and put WW on “hold”.  Eventually I cancelled my membership and packed the weight back on. I signed up 3-4 more times but never had success again. I don’t personally love the new program, and got to the point where the accountability of weighing in in front of someone didn’t motivate me. I wanted a cheeseburger a lot more than I cared if someone I barely knew made a face because I was up a pound.  I also had better results when I lived in a small town and everyone in the meetings knew my name. I moved toward the end of the first time I was a member and my weight loss slowed down. I had a hard time find a leader I liked, and knew no one in any of the meetings I attended. I began weighing in then leaving because I didn’t get anything from the meetings. I will say, though, that this is the most affordable, flexible diet I’ve done.

(Me, in Italy, right after I lost the 19 pounds)

Next was Atkins. I think I did this one for a grand total of two weeks. I got a free starter kit in the mail (you can sign up for it on their website) and the bars weren’t too bad. After a while though, I started to feel gross. Eating tons of meat and vegetables was fine, but I don’t trust a “diet” that allows you to eat all the butter, fat, and even pork rinds you want. (not even kidding. they recommend it as a snack!) I lost 2-3 pounds in the 2 weeks I did it, and spent way too much money on overpriced, loaded with fat and sugar bars and a few nasty tasting shakes.

Ideal Protein was by far the most expensive. I’m sure it’s the most scientifically studied. I’m sure it works. I started it the week after we got engaged because I was at my heaviest, and I wanted to lose weight for the wedding. I had, at that point, gained all my WW weight back, plus alot more.

 

Taken the week before I started Ideal Protein, at my heaviest)

 I lost 8 pounds in 3 months. It was no way to live, in my opinion.  They provide (for a hefty price) three snacks a day, and you eat salad for lunch and protein/veg for dinner. Seems easy enough but it was torture for me. It made me grumpy and hungry. ALL THE TIME. The friend I started with ended up losing a large amount of weight but it was entirely too expensive and restrictive for me. Not for 8 pounds. Sorry.

Then there was the time I paid a nutritionist $150 to tell me less than I already knew. I’m not knocking nutritionists, by any means. I just frankly don’t think she knew (or maybe cared) what she was talking about. She gave me “sample meal plans” that basically said stuff like Lunch: vegetable, protein, carb. No ideas, no recipes, no measurements. I asked how many calories she thought I should be taking in. She answered with “Listen to your body. If you’re hungry, eat more. If you’re not, don’t.” Okay lady. I didn’t get this way by being hungry. She also provided a list of healthy items from local restaurants. Thanks, but I think I knew “chicken breast, broccoli, salad with no dressing” was a low calorie option at the majority of them.  I guess this would be a good option for someone who was just starting out with a healthy lifestyle and had no idea where to begin. I knew these things already. I needed more solid info. Numbers. Never again. Not her anyway.

By far the easiest to stick to and cheapest plan has been using Myfitnesspal and working out. Duh. How did you not know that already? It just seemed too easy. No way that would work. Then why would people spend an arm and a leg to lose tons of weight at once (little did I know…)

People complain about the price of fresh, healthy food, but honestly, it’s saved me money. Fast food costs a lot more. So does paying for meetings. So does paying for protein bars and meal replacement shakes that tastes like the inside of my running shoe. Yes, it’s been slow progress, but it’s flexible and liveable. I need to know if I go to the beach and drink a little too much or eat French fries a few times, I may be a week behind in my progress but I’m not out $120 bucks for one week of products. I am counting my calories, I am working out hard. I am noticing changes. The most money I’m spending right now is for groceries and a trainer, but you know what, to me, I’m worth it. 

All that money spent on fast food, so not worth it. This plan works for me, and I’m sticking to it. Forever.

(Oh and...Tune in next week for another ORB Giveaway!..Hint: a few of my favorite things.)

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