NO WONDER I'M FAT - lightbulb moment

RoxieW

Hi guys, just had bank statements and on a massive downer. Have overspent (as usual) and (as usual) the culprit is FOOD.

I've cut down our normal food bill through meal plans, buying some value etc - although tbh its still too high. But the MASSIVE killer is eating out. I was slightly disgusted to read that we've eaten out 8 times this month. 5 as a family and 3 just me and hubby. £500 on eating out. I'm shocked and feel abit sick to be honest.

To be fair, last month was excessive because the children went to granparents for the w/end (very rare - happens once every 3 months or so) so hubby and i went abit mad and ate out both nights. It was also sons birthday so we had a meal out for that too. Then there was half term...

It seems that food is what we are spending the majority of our cash on!! We don't go out drinking very often and I dont buy clothes any more cos I'm so depressed by my weight. We do spend on taking the kids out on the weekend (cinema, farm erc) but it seems no trip is complete without a slap up meal.

I know its bad - I know I need to do something about it. I'm shocked and appalled by how much money I am eating! Feel really rubbish.

RoxieW

Just read my thread back and god do i sound pathetic - want to lose weight and save money - stop eating so much then!! Simple eh? I dont know why I just cant seem to stop - must try harder!!

DHDEBTS

Just wanted to say you are not alone. I know that certainly when I get fed up I comfort eat and I too would be very guilty of eating out if DH and I had a night out to ourselves. Don't beat yourself up about it, you've simply identified anther lightbulb area we all have our weaknesses, some its shopping, some its food, each to their own.

I have about 5 stone to lose and yes I could have saved a lot of money by now if I didn't by junk out the machine at work, then there's the money I've wasted on diets etc - need I go on. But each day is a new day and we will all get there one step at a time.

DH

(Land_of)_Maz

Roxie, i can empathise! We are probably exactly the same to be honest. A night out for us together will always be a meal out, as neither of us are drinkers... and time out as a family usually involves a meal too......

At least you are offsetting yours against your meal planning and shopping so don't feel too bad about it... As you say there were mitigating circumstances such as half term, a kid-free weekend etc....

Maybe december isn't the best time to think about cutting out totally, just cut back and make sure they are treats as opposed to such a regular occurance. (says me - i really need to take my own advice!!! and i will)

Maz
x

chevalier

You could probably wean yourself off these by having take outs instead of going out. Still get non home cooked food, but a bit cheaper. I know this isn't ideal, but like all things food related, I think you have to retrain your brain over time, or you will sabotage yourself. Have you shared this all with your OH?

I think where food is concerned, we get into habits, and don't even think about them. Ie going out as a family and having a meal afterwards, this could be changed to taking a picnic, or to just coming home, but cooking something like what you would have on a meal out. Ie making yummy pizza at home and getting the children involved in that.

The other thing I did, was to cut back on the food that got wasted, by putting the shopping receipt on the door and the circling that item when it went in the bin. It really opened my eyes to those things, that I bought from habit, but no one really ate, so it went into the bin. I now have a much more targetted approach to my shopping list, and less waste going to the land fill!

chev

Shineyhappy

When I make a curry I always make it for 4 and then freeze half so OH and I can have a takeaway when we fancy something nice but cba to cook. I pick up naans on special offer and have mango chutney so its a bit special but a lot cheaper!

RoxieW

Thanks guys - really appreciate it. I am going to resolve to no more than 1 meal out as a family and 1 meal out as a couple!!

Takeaways don't really do it for me - i think its more the dressing up and getting out of the house that i love. we've always loved eating out - all through dating, now marriage. we love it as a couple, with the kids, with friends.... Saying that, after we had our first little boy (both of us still at uni!) and were totally brassic we never used to go anywhere or do anything - not that we really even missed it that much. i do remember going out one night for valentines and it feeling really special. thats the feeling i still get with eating out. a really nice, special treat feeling. thou now I'm having it twice a week!!! bit of an addiction i guess.

gonna stick to my guns - perhaps not in the run up to xmas but definitely afterwards. its just ridiculous. seeing it in black and white and totalling it up just made me feel sick and disgusting.

maz - let me know how you get on. maybe we could come up with a way to support each other. maybe everytime we are going to eat out but dont we add up the money or something - see how much we've saved by refraining??

(Land_of)_Maz

RoxieW wrote: »

maz - let me know how you get on. maybe we could come up with a way to support each other. maybe everytime we are going to eat out but dont we add up the money or something - see how much we've saved by refraining??

Right then, i will tell you my eating out plan for the next month...... And there won't be any extras!

Tomorrow (i know, start as you mean to go on!) is payday and i promised to take my OH out for an indian, as he always treats me....

27/11/07 - Indian for 2....

13/12/07 - xmas night out, old workplace. Paid for already, so not in budget!

And that might be it.... I'll let you know if my current workplace is doing anything, there are only 6 of us, so every chance i will need to arrange it. Altho i'm sure boss paid for it last year, so will be a cheap night!

Twice(maybe 3 times) in a month, hmmmmm, why do i not believe myself!
I'll subscribe to the thread and we can report back!

Surfbabe

Every sympathy here. We don;t eat out much (should count up really I suppose) but I do tend to graze all day - have to say food bills have gone down since DS went off to Uni in September and we don;t waste a lot with DH a human dustbin - but I can't lose any weight.

Challenge for the New Year a good walk each day and out with the junk?????:question:

riddlesticks

RoxieW wrote: »

Hi guys, just had bank statements and on a massive downer. Have overspent (as usual) and (as usual) the culprit is FOOD.

I've cut down our normal food bill through meal plans, buying some value etc - although tbh its still too high. But the MASSIVE killer is eating out. I was slightly disgusted to read that we've eaten out 8 times this month. 5 as a family and 3 just me and hubby. £500 on eating out. I'm shocked and feel abit sick to be honest.

OMG £500 on eating out! Please will you take me next time. LOL. I haven't been out in ages TBH if someone had my kiddies for the weekend me and OH would probably do the same and make the most of it!

To be fair it is a lot of money and Im sure you could cut back if you really tried. Why don't you make a budget and allow yourself so much each month for eating out and stick to it! And then get yourself some scrummy recipies and make some slap up meals at home.

xxxAM

mookybargirl

Hey Roxie - I love reading your threads - lol

This could be me too and I've been out for the last 4 nights in a row - thank goodness 3 of them weren't paid by me and the other was for 2for1 cafe rouge voucher from the Independant (cheers Martin).

I'm looking forward to a nice cooked meal tonight. Like you though, I love eating eat - no hassle or standing around in the kitchen. It is like a night out for us as we're not big drinkers either. Although I'm partial to a nice takeaway too :think: