WooHoo! It’s already Day 3, I’m starting to feel the change a little, but more mentally than anything else. I feel more aware, and excited that I’m pushing myself to do this. So once again today you can see my diary entry here:

Yesterday I decided to finally challenge my shopping habits. Armed with my copy of that anti-inflammatory pyramid I featured on Day 1 of the Bridal Bootcamp, I also got some tips from online on shopping with the aim for weight loss.

About.com shares this article: “Planning Your Grocery Shopping Helps You Lose Weight” (My comments are below in Italic)

• Take a look in the fridge and make a note of any perishable foods, such as fruit, vegetables, or lean proteins, that need to be eaten soon; it may prove incentive to make better choices. Nobody enjoys having to throw away food bought with the intention of eating healthier. It’s happened to me and it stinks — the guilt I feel throwing away rotten vegetables is doubled when I realize they’re being chucked because I ate “bad” foods instead of those nutritious veggies all week long.

I’ve noticed that I really do indulge in eating out too much, we seem to always be going out, in my fridge is an assortment of snack food but nothing really substantial. This is a real reality checker for me to eat in more so I can control portioning and what I’m actually eating.

• Check your pantry for your diet staples, such as pasta if you’re on a low-fat diet or canned tuna if you are on a low-carb plan. Make a list of what you need and keep the list updated as your weekly trip to the grocery store draws near. All the best dieting intentions are for nothing if you don’t have healthy food on hand to eat or make recipes with and are forced to eat something less than favorable, or worse, order pizza!

I have a quarter bag left of some pasta in the cupboard, so definitely need to stock up on that. Also need to stock up on some canned fish, I prefer sardines so I’ll stick to that. Other than that the pantry has flour, condiments, and other staples so I think I’m okay in that department.

• Planning your meals ahead of time can be a sure-fire way to stick to your diet. Designating what you’re going to eat and when can keep you from choosing whatever is in reach when hunger strikes — when you don’t have to decide what to eat on the spur of the moment, you can avoid making the wrong decision altogether. This can be as simple as planning and packing your lunch the night before work or school; it will prevent the morning rush from causing you to head out the door with nothing and as a result, heading to the nearest drive-through at lunch.

Great idea! So this week here’s my plan for this week:

Cereal & Soy Milk for breakfast everyday with some slices of banana on top
Hot Milo and Fruit Juice for snacks in the morning everyday
Yoghurt, Apple Slices & Almond Nuts for snacks in the afternoon everyday
Thursday – Fish soup and Rice for Lunch, Sardines on Toast for Dinner

Friday – Fruit Salad for Lunch, Chicken & Broccoli Creamy Pasta for Dinner
Saturday – Fish soup and Rice for Lunch, Vegetable Stirfry for Dinner
Sunday – Chicken & Vegetable Stirfry for Lunch, Sardines on toast for Dinner
Monday & Tuesday – I’ll be away on holiday for our Valentine’s getaway, will have to be more aware of what I eat when dining out, aha! good idea for a next blog, need to learn how to eat out properly without sacrificing my weight loss goals
Final Note for this week – Hmm it looks like we’re only here for another 4 days should just keep minimal perishable foods on this week’s shopping list, but we’ll be back Tuesday night, so most things I think will keep.

• Lastly, always take a list when grocery shopping. Resolve that you will not deviate from it. You knew what you needed when you made the list. Sticking to it will help you resist temptation whether it be passing up a great bargain in the ice cream freezer or walking on when you get a whiff of the bakery offerings. Temptation has less power over you this way, and, you’ll probably save some money in the long run too. (Often those good deals aren’t as good as you think; they’re rarely good for your waistline.)

Here’s my shopping list of Wednesday:

So, that’s what I’ve been up to. Tune in next week for the rest of the week’s diary entries and my notes on getting into a gym routine (something I’ve struggled with before) I’ll share with you tips from my gym trainer and lessons I’ve gotten from pretty awesome books.

Missed what Bridal Bootcamp is all about? Check out Day 1 here for a full rundown of what this project is all about: Bridal Bootcamp Journey: Week 1, Day 1 – The Essentials

Wanna get a better sleep and wake up fresher? Check out Day 2’s exercises and yoga positions to do just before bedtime and as soon as you wake up here: Bridal Bootcamp: Week 1, Day 2 – Better Sleeping & Waking Up