Taking a “step” in the right direction with Lean Cuisine
I need to get real with you all and ask for your kindness and support. I need to put all of this out there and hope that it empowers me to make some changes. Please be kind. I have always struggled with my weight and with finding the right program or way of life to change myself and be healthier. If you are new to my blog, you may not have seen me struggle in the past with my Fatty Friday series. I started and restarted and I’ve talked about my weight a lot.
The Real Deal
For over 30 years I struggled with weight, but it was my own body and only me to worry about whether I was healthy or not. Five years ago that changed and now I have a son and a husband – a family to raise. My boy is getting older and I find it harder and harder to keep up with him.
My husband and I started an eating plan in May 2010 and I lost 90 pounds (he lost 170) and we felt great. We were active and fun and we were walking every day as a family. Our boy’s favorite activity was to go to the football field and run the track. At the beginning of 2011, we started to slip back into our old ways and now we are back to our original weights (if not larger). We feel terrible. We eat terrible.
Hubby and I come home in the evenings and sit and do nothing. It’s embarassing to admit, but sometimes our son will beg us to just go sit with him in his play room or in the living room and play with him and we will find excuses not to go. We have gotten angry at one another because we didn’t want to be “the one” to “have” to go play with him. This is terrible and I feel like a failure of a mom for saying all of this. I mean, you’ve seen my boy, right?! He’s the most fun ever!!
Excuses, Excuses – Blame it on…
I have used the excuse too many times that I cannot get healthy again because my husband prepares all of our food and when he is tired then we just get junk food or fast food. The truth is there are times when he wants to cook and I suggest pizza instead. The truth is that I need to be responsible for my own actions and getting myself healthy and being a role model for my son, and my husband if need be.
Taking a “step” in the Right Direction with Lean Cuisine #FrozenFavorites
This week I was out of town for work and living in a hotel. Spending a week without my husband’s cooking could really wreak havoc on my budget and my health so I decided this was a great time to take a step toward eating healthy. I have some plans to get us healthier and this week is my kickstart to something I hope is really amazing!
The first step in getting healthy, for me, is to start eating healthy. I have tried Lean Cuisine a few times in the past so I was happy to hear that I could find a 6 pack of Asian flavored Lean Cuisine meals in the Sam’s Club Frozen Favorites Showcase. I’m addicted to my Android and it didn’t disappoint when I had to look up the closest Sam’s Club and then use the GPS to get there.
I picked up two packs of the Lean Cuisine Asian dinners, some water, snacks, and coffee drinks. The coffee drinks are not exactly “healthy” but I’m crossing one bridge at a time – cutting out one vice at a time. My plan is to replace at least one meal every day with a Lean Cuisine meal in hopes that this will help me start to feel better. Ideally, for this week at least, I could replace lunch and dinner with a Lean Cuisine meal and save on my budget as well! Check out more of my shopping trip by visiting my Lean Cuisine #FrozenFavorites Google Album.
The hotel I’m staying in all week had two paper plates wrapped in plastic as well as plastic utensils. Along with the fridge and microwave, I was set for the week. After working all day and then shopping, I was hungry by the time I made it to the hotel for the evening. I decided to try the Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry first.
The meal was so easy to cook in the microwave, just 4 minutes and it was ready. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The rice was filling and the snap peas tasted fresh and actually snapped! That is unheard of in a microwave dinner. I love teriyaki and this meal didn’t disappoint.
I have to be honest and say that I did not expect these meals to be enough to fill me up. I like to eat and I didn’t get to be a big girl by eating small meals. I found that the Lean Cuisine dinners were quite hearty. While I was in the hotel, I did not have a way to make sides so I did eat two of the meals at a time, but I will not do that at home. The second night I tried the Lean Cuisine Ginger Garlic Stir Fry with Chicken. I love how bright and fresh it all looks. There is something more satisfying about the snap of the peas and the crunch of the carrots. I even enjoyed the red peppers and I am a huge fan of broccoli. I loved this flavor, but my absolute favorite was the Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken. The chicken tasted like fresh chicken strips. I just cannot get over how fresh these meals taste!!
Find out more about Lean Cuisine by following on Lean Cuisine on Facebook and @LeanCuisine on Twitter!!
The Next “Step”: The Couch-to-5K ® Plan
One of the things that Hubby and I have always had in common is that we love to watch the show The Biggest Loser. We watched it while eating cartons of ice cream. We watched it while drinking water and eating fresh fruit. This past season, we watched it mostly while eating pizza and feeling terrible. The most inspiring part of The Biggest Loser, for me, is not the pounds lost, but the marathon the contestants run at the end. I want to do that someday. My first “step” is going to be working The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan.
I downloaded The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan app and I’m kicking it off this week. I will be chronicling my journey of Lean Cuisine meals and running plan on my Google Page. I’ll also update here on the blog on October 5 and let you know how it went. Won’t you follow along?!!
Don’t do it alone – I have a PARTNER!!
I’m hoping to have Hubby along for this journey, but I also want to introduce you to my partner! Wendy from Around My Family Table is also choosing to go healthy by replacing one meal a day with Lean Cuisine meals AND she is working The Couch-to-5K ® Running Plan as well! Check out her introduction post where she is setting a new healthy goal as well!!
You can also find Wendy at Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. Follow us along!!
What are your tips for kick-starting a new healthy lifestyle?!!
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and (Nestle) LEAN CUISINE #FrozenFavorites #CBias #SocialFabric. All stories and opinions are my own.
that stir fry looks yummy!
oxo
deanna recently posted..CRABBING
found out I’m borderline diabetic, thanks for the post…I have to look into these for when I’m on the go and don’t have time to eat
sibabe64 at ptd dot net
Awesome So excited for you! I can’t wait to hear how you do with the 5K. I just ran my first one since having kids this past May. It’s totally worth it!
Emmi recently posted..End of Summer, Start of fall with Honey Bunches of Oats! Review
Good for you and good luck! You’re killing two birds with one stone in that you’re saving money by not eating out and you’re eating healthy.I enjoy trying frozen dinners and lean cuisine is pretty good. Yes, the portions are somewhat small but if you combine them with milk or fruit on the side, you will be satisfied.
I used to be a slim 107 lbs when I got married. Now — not so much. I’m a total foodie — one of those people who live to eat and not one that eats to live. I really need to motivate myself to eat right and exercise. When I’m good, I feel and look great.
Keep at it! If for no other reason, do it for your son. Oh and you’re not horrible parents for not always feeling like playing with your son. I have a 7 yr-old daughter and doing skits with her stuffed animals makes me want to stick a fork in my forehead.
Ahh..fork in your forehead..haha!! Thank you so much for the encouragement! It means more than you know! BTW, I just posted my update…it’s a good one!!
Kudos to you! I actually like a few of the Lean Cuisine entrees – quite tasty although not very big. Supplement with a nice salad with lo cal dressing and it’s filling enough
Portions are so small but they taste pretty good.
This sounds like a great idea and a “diet” that I might actually be able to stick to. I am the worst dieter ever though. I gained 50 lbs while pregnant and I just can’t seem to take it off. And then there is my husband who eats 8 times as much as I do and has all the energy in the world and is fit as a fiddle…Jerk.
I have always struggled with my weight. Since my husband & I married 6 years ago I have gained 50 lbs. I dont feel comfortable in my own skin. I am trying hard to hit the treadmill everyday and eat better now!
Dieters and busy women on the go are lucky; they have great microwave meal options like Lean Cuisine. Back in my childhood 40 years back, I was raised by my aunt, who taught business typing . Our meals were mostly Boil in Bag dinners, consisting of oversalted meat floating in a gooey sauce: My aunt stretched out this meager dinner by serving them over mashed potato, bread or cooked rice. That may well explain why I chose to become a Food Historian; I wanted to find out what these entrees were supposed to taste like.
This meals sound pretty good, thanks for the review.
Lean Cuisine is OK, but I find the portions very small…but I’m a big guy.
We can totally do this! I know we can. I’m so happy to be sharing this journey with you!
Wendy @ AMFT recently posted..12 Fall Food Traditions for Families
We did it!! …and we are still alive and ready for more!!
I am glad that you are taking this step and I hope you will be able to stay on the plan. If there was a specific reason you slid back into bad habits, try to avoid it this time
I’m proud of you for taking the first step – often the hardest. I really enjoy Lean Cuisine meals. They are light and healthy portion controlled meals. Keep up the good work! Good luck and God bless!
Wow – thank you for sharing your story with us. You are an inspiration and your honesty takes such courage. I’m sure your family will become healthier and happier!
i LOVE Lean cuisine!
Alicia Keen recently posted..Monday Class Reminder
Janet, you are AMAZING! I am so excited to keep up with you on this journey. <3
Brandi recently posted..Where are you?!?!
Thank you so much for your encouragement!! It means a lot to have people cheering me on!!
You are truly an inspiration! I am pulling for you all the way to eat healthy and get moving! Best wishes and I will be watching for your progress report on October 5. Go YOU!
Thanks so much! I had some unexpected and happy side effects…come check them out!!
Good for you in taking a step towards health. The Lean Cuisine are great and you will enjoy eating them. Ii know you can do it