I am looking for some diet ideas that fit a tight budget and limited time in the day. It always seems like when I try dieting, what I need to buy is so expensive and so I just give up because we can't afford it or it takes so long to make I never have enough time with work and kids. If anybody has any suggestions please let me know!!!

Do you have a Costco or Sam's Club where you live? I stock up on Lean Cuisine meals they are cheaper there. Also fresh fruits and veggies. I buy the large quantity then I devote some time on Sunday night to cutting and packaging the items in baggies ahead of time for the week ahead. Also you can get nuts and things to make your own trail mix in baggies too. That way I have them already done and it is easy to grab and put into a lunch or snack on. I know the feeling. I actually think that is less expensive to eat "clean" un-processed food, just more time to prepare. Good Luck!

I agree. Check out the sales papers at your local markets for variety each week. I keep granola bars, single serve bags of pretzels and cereal at work. Look for high fiber cereals. See wht fruits are on sale. Each week my local Jewel has different fresh fruits on sale and I just buy a few of what is available.

Thanks for the great ideas!

I have little money and little time. So what I've been doing is actually spending some time on the weekend planning, shopping and prepping for the week. I CAN'T live without some yummy snacks, so I found these amazing Stacy's Pita Chips in parmesan garlic, and I buy a bag a week (no joke) and as soon as I bring it home for the week I put them in single serve baggies. I do this with the grapes, berries, carrots, trail mix that I bring home too. Sometimes I even make my sandwhiches in advance, but often I just make those in the morning and bring a bunch of good snack options to work (making sure only ONE of those options is my yummy chips). this has made a huge difference for me. You can do it with any kind of snack food.

1. Excercise when you first wake up. There are few/no carbs in your system and you burn fat. Do a combo of light weights and cardio. (like maybe actual stairs instead of a stepper) 2. Excersice before eating, it increases your metabolic rate and insures what you eat is used up as energy. 3. Try muscle milk just after excersie as one of your meals and as your eveing snack. It tastes great, comes in a variety of flavors, can be found at gnc and most health stores, is easy to prepare and 1 $25-35 container lasts all month. It'll fill your cravings (specially if blended with frozen fruit and low fat or soy milk), help you for muscle and keep muscle from deteriorating while you sleep. 4. Get enough sleep and keep on a schedule. 5. Get a buddy and go on weekend long hikes. 6. Do breathing excersises, yoga or swim. (Swimming tone you up the fastes of these and only requires a pool, is you arms get tired or you're not much of a swimmer: try walking through the water for a great resistance excercise.)

Great tips Myri thanx.