When you begin a weight loss program, not only do you need to change your eating and exercise habits, but you need to change your routine for food shopping. We have a tendency to go on “automatic pilot” when traversing the aisles of the grocery store. The shopping cart seems to direct us toward the junk food shelves without hesitation. Many weight loss programs include support groups for losing the actual weight, but you may need to buddy up with a friend just to make it through your first few weeks of new menus.
Ask your weight loss buddy to help you with the following:
• Plan your menu in advance for a week and make a shopping list
• Determine the ingredients for the recipes and include only those items on your shopping list
• Eat a small meal or a snack before you go food shopping to prevent buying on “hunger”
• Stick to taking your cart down the aisles where your shopping list items are located and nowhere else
• Stay away from impulse buying or purchasing “sale” items
• Try new grocery stores with better quality fresh produce
• Shop no more than once or twice a week for everything you will need for the whole week
The idea behind taking a buddy shopping with you is for accountability. It’s easier to stick to your plan when you know someone, even a friend is watching what you put into your cart. It will also help you lower cholesterol. Blowing your weight loss program can happen when you are being tempted by the foods that are not part of your diet.