Do you have to plan your meals? As in, do you "diet"?

[Candle 11]

YES!!! I plan as much as possible. I also do it for financial reasons now too since food is getting so damn expensive. I look at my store's sale flyer and plan my next week accordingly. (it probably takes me about 20 minutes.) We bring Breakfast & lunch to work and I cook dinner. We eat out about 4-6x per month. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

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I no longer count calories or journal my food but I did for the first year. (I lost 120lbs in that time!)

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I try and stick to a meal plan because if I don't, I tend to make poor choices. I also tend to over eat if I let myself get too hungry between meals by not keeping healthy Snacks in the house. Planning at the beginning of the week also gives me the ability to be sure I'm eating a balanced diet.

I don't feel like I'm on a diet.<o:p></o:p>

Edited October 29, 2008 by Candle

[neverB4 2]

Like others have said in this thread...I don't count my cals, I don't measure amts religiously (only when I feel out of control). I know how to fix healthy food, what NOT to eat...but at same time, I DO NOT deprive myself of anything I really want! This helps me to set limits on foods. I still won't eat fried chicken, fried seafood, fake hotdogs, sausages, etc...but still enjoy eating!! And am very happy to say that for the first time ever in my life, I feel control of what I eat. More in-tune to not making food master of my days!! My therapist told me it's a diet when you make yourself eat "inside a box"....well, my band is my box. I have learned to control it rather than wait for it to control me. So no diet for me!! The only "meal planning" I do is listening to my DH and kids different requests for supper ideas.