On a budget?

[gokuangel]

I was wondering if some of you ladies might be kind enough to give me some ideas for cheap food thats low in calories and good for you? I dont spend alot on groceries since its just me and my dh nor do i want to i think its crazy! I dont really like fruit and vegatables but im trying to think of stuff that i do like. also like i told Ranae i just moved so i dont have a stove to cook on right now so do you think the lean cuisine or south beach diet meals might be good for me? i am keeping the recommended meal plan from my calorie counter as ideas but some of that stuff i am just not going to eat!! 2nd question-does anyone know of a 5 min ab workout that does not involve getting on the floor i would love to start working that part of my body but anything involving getting on the floor just kills my bk!!

[Skailark]

No i am not a persona l trainer...just a regular guy! lol... Have been around forums for a while and love to be a part of this community...Belly fat eh? have you tried the crunches? You shud pair up with a friend here..her name is Twehner! she is the crunch lady here!

Also look this thread up for the exercise that can burn  fat -
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/689264

Have you tried the healthy cooking forum? I think you shud try it. They surely will fix the dinners for you!

[gokuangel]

Cool TY I will definetly look into these! So are you a personal trainer? do you have any advice for belly fat? my bmi says 24 but that body fat index calculator thing says im like at least 33% fat and that im carrying too much on my stomach!! I did read on it so im trying to drink more water and i am doing my 10 min cardio (at least for now till i get better at it) b4 i eat cus i read its better to burn stored fat than just what you barely ate.
Also any dinner ideas? like i said prior i just have a microwave and a small grill to work with for lunch i think i will buy the south beach diet stuff its low calorie and its just me to feed in the day time.

[Skailark]

I personally like the protein bars and soya nuts from herbalife. Well you can check it out here - http://www.shopherbalife.com/catalog/catalog.jsp?dsext=hello&cid=792855&LocaleSelect=en_US&_requestid=2033342

Good luck:)

[gokuangel]

I was thinking about it do you have any recommended protein bars that are not too many calories and taste good?

[Skailark]

Hi!

I think for the snacks you shud try protein snacks like protein bars or soya nuts...thet can really fill you up and protein sure helps curb hunger!

[gokuangel]

TY Trudie! i will look into those for sure!!
Does anyone have recommendations for the late nite snack cravings? i eat the 1400 calories but by bed time i am so hungry but of course i dont eat cus i know i am at the limit for calories so any advice or maybe some foods to eat during the day that will keep me full?

[TrudieC]

Hi there!  I can't help on the exercise area but can definitely comment on your other questions.  Some good lower cost foods are:
- pork tenderloin
- skinless boneless chicken breasts and thighs
- fish
- brown rice (there are lots of ways to cook this)
- beans and legumes (chickpeas, cannellini beans, lentils, etc.) - so cheap and so good for you
- lean ground chicken, turkey, ground beef
- whole wheat pasta

Some ideas for getting those vegetables into you is to chop them and add to pasta sauces or cook and puree and add as sauces on meats, etc.  If you have mashed potatoes try to make them as light as possible (use chicken broth or fat free sour cream) and mash a sweet potato or carrots or turnip or squash in with them.  Try roasting your vegetables - this allows them to carmelize and they almost taste like a dessert!

Until you get your stove the frozen dinners will do fine.  I'm a big no processed food advocate but you do need to make concessions when life gets in the way.

Welcome to the forum and do join in the weight loss challenge.  We are here to support you!