I will be off atkins for a bit

[loana]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

Thanks Jane!!!! yesh those credit cards can get bad LOL.. we pay it all in ful every month but is usualy not much.... but this month is been dr visits, medicines, etc.. LOL :P

[Libbey77s]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

Ahhh - your kiddos are too too cute!! In the beginning, I too was spending too much at the grocery store, because I was buying food for the family, as well as food for myself - now, I am sticking to mostly single meals - like roasted chicken and veggies, and then I'll make a starchy side for the family. I typically buy in bulk too, and use any leftovers from dinner to have as lunch the next day. Also, if you are making something highcarb for your family for dinner, have something cheap, like scrambled eggs for yourself! I've been shopping from the sales flyer lately, and not just a grocery list - because when I make a 2 week menu - and then hit the store for all I need -- it really, as in REALLY adds up -- for awhile I was spending between $150 - $200 a week at the grocery store (that includes diapers and baby stuff) but still - and to top that off, I would feel bad that it was so much, and pull out the credit card to pay for it. Not one of my best ideas - but thankfully, my husband took my cards away too - and we've wiped out over $25,000 in credit card debt this year thanks to a little teamwork!!

Anyway, try to keep it simple a few days a week - breakfasts for dinner - grilled cheese and soup for the kiddos and a yummy salad for yourself - and then plan a few "more expensive" dinners to keep things balanced. I used to only buy brand name - because I had "preconceived" ideas in my head that brand name meant I was "validated by societies standards" --- now that I am a mom of 2 (working hard on being a mom of 3) and we are trying to build a new house, I buy off brand - shop at farmer's markets - and even ocasionally go to ALDI's or WALMART to keep things low. My point is .. if you are comfortable trying to lose weight on Atkins while breastfeeding - then stick to it - because this way of life does not have to be difficult or expensive!! (I actually used to have $25 a week for groceries as a single mom - going through an awful divorce from my first husband - and proving that I could do it on my own - and I lost over 100lbs on Atkins!!)
Elisabeth

[changing]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

Yay loana, I'm so happy that things worked out for you...

I'll chime in on grocery cost. I am insanely fixated on grocery sale prices (I shop at 4 different stores, and track all their sales through online and instore flyers) and I shop for 2 adults, both of us are on Atkins. I spend between $50 (on good weeks) and $80 a week on groceries for us and we eat very, very well (steak at least once a week, something exotic once a week, berries, nuts, seafood every week or two, lots of salad and fresh veggies, etc.). That $50-80 is all our of meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, as we almost never go out to dinner. I even pack DH's lunches for work out of those groceries.

I think you'll get the hang of it after a while... for me, it was pinpointing exactly it was I should be buying every week, how much I should buy, what a good deal was (on everything I buy), and how I could make exciting meals out of bits and pieces of leftovers and pantry staples to stretch money until payday. I am a full-time student (usually 18 or 19 credits) so during the schoolyear, I don't work, and we had to save money this way.

I'm sure you'll figure out your own system. Good luck to you!

[loana]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

Thanks sooooo much everyone!!!! I am sure it will get easier!!!! is just rough at the beginning.. I am determined to learn how to cook LOL and that should help a lot
Elisabeth-Good lukc TTC

[robinb]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

I'm glad that you were able to stick to it! Do you have an ATM card? All the grocery stores here accept ATM cards and the cost is deducted from your back account. It's still cash (IMO) but just not dollar bills.

I try to read the grocery ads and build a menu at the start of the week. Then, I know what I need to buy. I'll make a list with store names and prices next to it. I'll then go to the cheapest grocery store and compare their prices with my list. If the price is less, I'll buy it there. Otherwise, I'll go on to the other more expensive stores, which are mostly on my way home anyway, and buy the two or three loss leaders.

[Libbey77s]

Re: I will be off atkins for a bit

Ahhh, thanks Loana!!

I've lost 7 lbs in the last 10 days, and have heard before that losing weight sometimes jumpstarts your ability to concieve!! So this past week was "our week" and we had alot of fun trying - so hopefully, we'll know something in two weeks or so!! Until then, I'll keep praying that no matter what God gives me peace of mind with the situation, because I already feel so blessed to have the two amazing kiddos that I have (Taylor - 8 F and Andon - 2 M) But I truly feel in my heart, that one more baby would complete our family. (maybe two - if we are lucky - but that may be asking too much, as I am a stay at home mom - hehe) I just hope that if we are successful, that I don't end up with another ectopic pregnancy -- with three miscarriages, as well as having Andon all in under 3 years -- it took it's toll emotionally, and I am still trying to battle that one through my weight loss.

Anyway - Keep trying to do the best you can for you, because the best gift that you can give to your three adorable little boys, is a healthy mom!
Elisabeth