While the food certainly tastes good (I have lots of great lunch options near me), it's pretty hard on my wallet when I'm dropping $5, $10, or even $15 at a time. It's also hard to stick to good choices. I might go out for a salad, but inevitably I get the side of bread too. Or the portion sizes are out of control and I end up eating enough for two meals. Not cool.
So, to jump start a better set of habits (and to make up for eating out so regularly recently) I've decided to challenge myself to a month of eating lunch in. The only caveat is if a real work related function pops up. If the big boss wants to go out, I'm going too.
Other than that though, I'll be brown bagging it for the month of August. So far I've been able to stick to it pretty easily. I'm taking a lot of leftovers from dinner the night before, so lunch tastes great and its a good incentive to keep my portions in check for dinner too. Double win.
Anyone else have a tendency to eat out for lunch too often?
p.s. For you DIY-liking folks, that end table I found is already finished (and it's fab) - the finished product will be up next Tuesday!
I actually don't have a tough time bringing stuff from home anymore. When I first started I was still in school, so it was hard to bring something. So now it's relatively simple. I bring leftovers or a can of something; soup, ravioli, etc.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good plan. I don't work places that have lunch easily accessible, so have a pretty well ingrained habit of bringing food. If I forget, I don't get to go out, I get to be hungry for the rest of my shift. That said, I almost never go out anyway. In fact, I can't remember the last time I went out for food.
ReplyDeleteI have this Sunday ritual where I make my 5 salads for the week. I use spinach and arugula an assortment of vegetables, beans for protein and top it with goat cheese instead of salad dressing (so it won't get soggy). This helps me get daily servings of vegetables, plus, being a teacher I don't have many food options.
ReplyDeleteWe always eat lunch in, it saves money and it keeps us losing weight...if we eat in all 5 lunches we get to go out on a fun date!
ReplyDeleteI do have the same problem. I have delicious lunch options near me, and I sometimes catch myself using going out to lunch as a little mini-reward. A reward for what you ask? Well, I suppose for existing. So yeah- I need to be better about bringing lunch, too. Actually if you're in a big rush in the morning, PBJs are surprisingly pretty tasty and satisfying, and not TOO unhealthy. Otherwise, leftovers or a sandwich stacked with veggies are delicious. Just takes a little more planning.
ReplyDeleteI have this problem. I've been eating out 3-4 days a week over the past month. Part of it is I don't feel like cooking, and when I do cook there aren't enough leftovers for two lunches (me and the Mr.)... so I eat out.
ReplyDeleteThankfully I make good decisions most times like the salad bar or half a sandwich plus fruit, but there are times I go WAY overboard.
I hope you do better than I did!!
I'm so impressed by you guys that are good about eating in all the time! I'm tempted too easily...
ReplyDeleteTwo Grad Students - I think that's a great idea. Such a good incentive to be good!
Amanda - lol at the reward thing... I totally "justify" it that way too...
Mrs. Foot - T takes care of his own lunches, so thankfully I don't have to worry about having enough leftovers for two people and I only have to take of myself. (which is good because even that is one person too many sometimes!)
I have a problem with this too. I've been better with my new job than my older one because there is only one place within walking distance. But I still find myself forgetting to plan anything and being forced to go out. Not smart. There just isn't enough time in the day to make a lunch, it seems. Though if others can do it, I should make more of an effort!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I get into that habit too - when I don't think ahead and shop for work lunches, I end up eating out. I think your challenge is a good one, and one that I may have to adopt!
ReplyDeleteI used to, but now I only get 20 mins, so I have to pack it, or I'm gonna be hungry. There's a lot to be said for being forced into a "bad situation." It's done wonders for my pocketbook and waistline!
ReplyDeleteI use it as a reward too! I'm addicted to Potbelly's and there is one right across the street!
ReplyDeleteI almost always make my lunch, just for the reasons you outlined. I end up eating WAY too many calories -- not only do I get the bread but the creamy soup too, and it is HARD on the wallet!!! I figured even if you only spend 10 dollars a day, you can save a couple hundred bucks a month! It may even save you more, since you end up eating your dinner leftovers, so nothing is going to waste!
ReplyDeleteAlso, just like Jenny said, you can have a reward at the end -- eat out for dinner once a week or something!