How do you do it? Would love your tips on staying on a budget and staying on a diet.

[sunchowder]

I have a lot of trouble in both of these areas. I guess it must be an impulse control problem (to an extent ) But....how do you really stay on track so that you can meet your goals?

Budget - take out cash in the begining of the week, then leave your cards at home.

Diet - be really, really busy so you forget to eat.

Is that really what you do Kif? I have a problem puchasing things over the internet also...

Drink lots of water all day especially before eating, you are either so full of water you don't feel like eating or you spend so long in the loo dinner is finsished by the time you return

Yup.

Card is just like 'pretend money'. It is only real if everytime you buy something you can't buy something else IYKWIM.

Internet - i go tot he bank and put the cash back in my account the next day.

I keep an emergency cash card with me - but never use it.

It's all a bit deliberate, but i find it really helps me feel in control without feeling deprived.

Maybe I should have labelled the thread, help!! My DH is trying to make love to me with a Courgette!!!

only buy what you NEED,youll find its very little

Don't diet! Just find a more sensible way of eating full stop.
Do you work in the daytime Sunchowder? If so make sandwiches or take 2 cuppasoups and fruit and take a 2litre bottle of tapwater to get through.

Do you cook from scratch? Try and pad out what you make with more fruit and veg and less meat. Will save you on money and saturated fat.

Thanks dino and sheepe-I work at home full time, so the fridge is at my disposal. Guilty of nightime eating, but I am a vege, so can't really cut down on the meat as I don't eat any! I guess it's the impulse controlI find keeping to a budget and dieting are very similar and I don't do well with either of them really. Where does will power come from? Just the satisfaction part of it?

Ooh hadn't thought of that. Do you get any time out to yourself that doesn't make you feel guilty? I do yoga once a week in term times and find being told to think about yourself for an hour and a half does wonders for the self image! We don't actually learn anything, we have a different teacher each week and do basic stretching and relaxing but it's priceless time out from real life.

Hey Sleepy and Dinono doesn't sound too hippy at allmaybe that is worth a try..

Med, I'm over here in the US, so have not seen Spendaholics, and don't believe it is on BBC America (which I do get!). We have a show here called Big Spender which I have watched for the past few weeks and I find it interesting, but still feel unable to really make a change. Interesting to think that this is a childhood issue, gosh I would love to resolve it so that I can be free of the impulse. My DH has no issues in either area and it is so difficult for him to understand why I do this shit.

put aside some money each week as mad money to be spent on whatever but you can put mad money aside after bills, savings and living expenses have been met.

I found this often stopped me buying daft food choices as I would try and have more mad money to buy fab things with
not sure I've explained this well but hope you get the idea

gothicmama, I love the sound of mad money. I think I will start doing that. If I use all of the grocery money as mad money I will lose lots of weight too. It's a win/win situation

Seriously, I do love the sound of mad money

winnie

Ah thanks! The mad money sounds fun, but I think I am too out of control to administer it, if you know what I mean? Just like eating really, once you've had your cheat (eating cake or whatevef), what is the point continuing to eat right for the rest of the day? It is very difficult for me to be patient to lose the weight, or patient to get the credit cards paid off and have to "sacrifice" in the meantime. It's not even buying things for myself, I have the two kids at home, things for the house, etc...I am trying so hard though, but always feel as if I am getting no where and that my issues will always hold the behavior in place.

try and think why you buy things and eat, is it because you feel low as a person so buy feeling better with things ( using that as an example of course}

I think I do it because I feel like it. I have been working since I was 12. I take care of everyone, and if I want to eat something I just want it. Same with buying somethingif it is a hobby, I feel I deserve it I guess. It is difficult to sit down and try to identify what is really going on. I am frustrated with life (so isn't everyone?). I don't take drugs or drink, they are like my vices I guessbut I want to be "free" of them. Do you know what I mean?

Hi sunchowder

Ways of keeping the grocery bill down - shop little and often and buy from the reduced aisle in the supermarket - means that you're more likely to have a bit more variety in your diet as different things are reduced on different days and you can challenge youself to cook and try new things. This also helps with weightloss as sometimes cooking experiments are complete disasters and then you eat less because it tastes gross
The variety should also help you lose weight- obviously don't buy reduced cake!

I understand the thought of when you've cheated you may as well write the whole day off, but you have to get back on the wagon. Try this book though ignore its cheeky title. I found it really useful - not sure if it's available in the US but very sensible. Maybe you can pay for it with some Mad Money!

Sunny, my top tip is to write everything down.

EVERYTHING you spend. Even £5/$6 at convenience shop on your card, use cash as much as you can. Stops you spending for the sake of it and may help you break habit.

EVERYTHING you eat - here it can help to keep a record of how you felt when you ate it

e.g. 8am 2 pieces toast w/butter, cup coffee. HUnger = 8/10. Felt tird/upset/good/whatever.
This helps me keep track of my eating but also helps me realise why I eat - so now I know that if I get overtired, esp in afternoon, I will want to pig out on starchy carbs and sugar. Now I can (some of the time) tell myself "You're tired, have 10 mins w/feet up (if kids allow) , you'll be ok in a bit".

HTH.