Supposedly this is the day we celebrate the working man and woman in America. Loosing weight it work, I don't care how much fun it is, I see it as work. Planning, preparing, shopping, etc take time and energy.

What do you do to take the time to prepare yourself for the week? Do you log in meals, do you figure out meal plans, do you use a certain piece of computer software to help you? Do you have certain cookbooks that are your supply for ideas? How do you work at making your weight loss of maintainence work? In the are of physical activity, what do you do to make this all happen? Do you set up a time with a trainer, do you set a time to go to the gym, are you on your own? What do you to make that happen?

Share your secrets with us, so that we can all make this "labor of love for ourselves" a little easier.

AND the second part of your assignment, is to take part of the day off, to enjoy the fruits of what you have done. Whatever that means for you...take some time off!

Have a great holiday weekend.

Cathy J

I read the homework this morning and it inspired me to get ready for the week to come. Going back to the classroom is always stressful and I think I have de-stressed one area of my life.

Here's what I did...
*Wrote out what dinner would be for the next 3 weeks!
*Wrote out my grocery list according to meals for the week.
*Bought 2 sandwiches at Safeway (had a 2 for 1 coupon) for hubby and I to have for lunch on our first day back tomorrow.
*Bought easy snacks and breakfast items for hubby.
*Came home and pr-browned burger for tacos tomorrow night, got dinner in for tonight, cut up lettuce and other veggies so they are quick and easy.
*Waiting for dinner to finish up and enjoying the evening

Thanks for the inspiration!!!!

I need to be organized about this too. I have standard staples that I buy weekly and then I add to that stuff based on what we feel like. Sometimes I'm inspired by recipes I hear on this site, on TV or a cookbook.

As far as exercising - in the beginning, I made appointments with myself. I wrote it in pen in my calendar and scheduled around that. Now it's just second nature.

I have to say I am the queen of thinking ahead, especially now with meals. For instance, I know we are doing burgers tonight so I was just thinking about what I will make for lunch.

I usually get basics at the store and that inspires me to look in a cookbook ( I have my share) or remember a dish I saw on tv. Here is a tip though I did learn: Everyone should have 5-10 meals that they are confident in making. Keep making them, but change them up a little bit from time to time. I try to remember this when I do cook.

Also another thing I have done and really need to put it on the computer is meals that we enjoy. So when I am in a stump I can look at my list.

I find for me the more thinking I spend on my meals the better I do. I know this is not for everyone, but I know it works for me.

I take Saturday or Sunday depending on the day, and the sales at the stores to plan my menus for the week. I use KD"s book, and my WW cookbook (which I dearly love) to plan at least three new meals or new ingredients each week. I need variety, and without these books, I couldnt' do it. I plan the main courses and any special sides that go with them. Then it's off to the store. I shop the area on the outside of the store only...venturing inside the aisles ONLY if necessary, that's where my down falls lie. I come home, portion control everything out, mark the meals and then freeze or store what needs to be frozen for keeping. I pack my lunch everyday now, even though I am a SAHM and work from home...makes sure that I get my lunch in.

As far as physical activity, I am now cleared to walk, and bike and swim...so I walk the dogs in the AM...they are loving it and so am I. I swim at noon, and then bike during the news at night.
I have to be honest, this plan is opening up my arthritic knees and shoulder to more movement, so I am finally seeing some muscular progress. YIPEE!

I am an organizer, and need to have that organization to make things work for me. But that's not the case with everyone...so what do you do?