Friday, April 12, 2013

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.)


22 comments:

  1. I completely agree! Eating healthy isn't expensive if you don't also buy junk! And even if it is, it's worth it:)

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  2. I love this post - I even signed up for Nutrisystem once - gross me the eff out - MFP is the best hands down tool out there :) And the money spent on Fast Food in the past couple of years - shaking my head - I could outfit my closet with 50 Coach bags - gross!

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  3. Loved this post girl! You look amazing!

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  4. I agree! I think people (including myself and maybe you as well in the past) are just looking for a quick fix when the answer is just eating good and exercising. I have a friend that is always jumping on some vitamin supplement or diet bandwagon. I can give her all the advice in the world (but like most of us) we just have to figure it our for ourselves! Happy Friday!

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  5. You speak the truth girl!! =) I think everyone really knows what will work but they just want a quick easy way out - if you want REAL results you gotta put in the work and be ready to put in some time cuz it ain't gonna happen over night! =) ... loved this post!

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  6. I totally agree! Weight watchers was great for me to start with....but after I lost the initial weight I needed to lose, I lost interest. I am a lifetime member and occassionally go back...but it just isn't the same as the first time around. I don't use MFP but maybe I should start...I've been having an issue lately with knowing what I should eat, vs. actually eating it. Maybe seeing the calories add up would really help me out :) Can't wait for the giveaway next week. and PS, you are lookin GREAT!

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  7. Loved this! You look great!! I found out the hard way that eating healthy is so much cheaper and I feel 10 times better:)

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  8. This is a great post! I've also tried just about everything out there, and it's sometimes hard believe that the old "eat right and exercise" is really all it takes...along with some major dedication and the right mindset.

    http://lessjunksmallertrunk.blogspot.com/

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  9. I agree! I am at that point too. I need solid information!
    Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I mentioned you in my post today :) Operation Red Bikini!!!

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  11. I did Slim4Life and it was the worst decision I ever made. What you can eat is healthy, but your portions are severly restricted, plus I was made to spend hundreds of dollars on supplements. I lost 20 pounds, but gained it all right back because I learned nothing on the program. Still makes me mad.

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  12. I currently know someone on WW right now and she has seen great results. I think it depends on each person and how their body responds. Ughh, the nutritionist! I had the same problem, she didn't give me any goals to reach for or the amount of calories I should be intaking. It was a waster of time, but doing my own research has certainly helped more than any other program.

    http://summatingpromise.blogspot.com/

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  13. I agree 100% with all of this! I too have spent way too much money on diets that don't last, sometimes don't work, and are overpriced. Thanks for your honesty, and kudos on figuring out what works for you and looking awesome :)

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  14. I totally agree! I have gotten the best results from mfp and working out. The gym and Pilates memberships cost money but they are worth it.

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  15. I have tried Weight Watchers a few times. I have never tried other programs because I did not want to spend the money.
    I am trying calorie counting now on an app and I am loving it.

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  16. MFP is DA BOMB!!! and so are you!!!! I think the best plan that worked for me what the dedication and good choices :) I know you're on that plan too! Luv ya! Happy Friday gorgeous!
    XOXO
    Elisha

    PS your "heaviest" picture is gorgeous!!!!!

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  17. Yay! I love a fav things giveaway!! Have you seen the parties on Pinterest where everyone brings their fav things but enough for like 5-6 people and you all exchange them? Sounds like it may be fun in the blog world!!

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  18. You are such a great inspiration girl and so beautiful inside and out.

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  19. I hear ya girl! I have tried so many different programs to lose the weight and keep it off. I am doing weight watchers right now and its working for me, but I think it also has to do with my metality as well. Plus, I owe a HUGE thanks to all my new blogging friends that inspire me every day...wink wink YOU!

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  20. You rock! I love weight watchers and tried the MyFitnessPal and couldn't get the swing of it! But we are all different I don't go to WW meetings and that I miss!

    You look great!

    Great job and keep it up!

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  21. Great post! I agree with you 110%!

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