Alright - how does this plan sound??

Considering that my goal is weight loss how about this plan:

Meal Plan

     Breakfast: 

• Oatmeal
• Grapes

     Snack:

• Peanuts/Walnuts

     Lunch:

• Grilled Chicken
• Caesar Salad
• Steamed Carrots

     Snack:

• Strawberries

     Dinner:

• Grilled Fish
• Zuccini

     Snack:

• Popcorn (100 cal pack)

Along with this, working out 4 days a week doing about 40 mins of cardio and then weights alternating days between upper and lower body.

SO.....if I follow this plan (or something similar)  would I def lose weight?  My stats are:

37 yrs old

5'6"  -    180 lbs    -   Sedentary lifestyle (currently)

Just struggling for a plan........

that sounds pretty decent i didnt add up the calories but just make sure your over 1200. id add some milk or some dairy though, also take a good multi vitamin if you dont plan on varying your food sources a whole lot while your on this plan. make sure your getting calcium and iron. maybe add in some whole wheat crackers with your strawberries as well- whole grains are proven to work health wonders as well as reduce abdomen fat. oh and a really good combo i like by the way with your breakfast would be a little cinnamon on top! its really good with the sweetness of the grapes and cinnamon lowers your blood sugar and has almost 0 calories

It's not balanced enough.  You need protein, carbs and fats in balance, and more nutrients.  Add milk or cottage cheese or egg whites to breakfast, whole grain bread or other grain to lunch, and serving of whole grain and a yellow or red vegetable at supper - a dark green vegetable like broccoli wouldn't hurt either.. For at least one of your snacks, have an ounce of cheese or some yogurt or other dairy product to get your calcium level up. You probably need more fiber too.  Check that analysis chart to make sure you're getting all the good nutrients you need.

I checked the analysis and it is:

• Fat:  32.6%
• Protein:  27.4%
• Carbs:  40.0%

I thougt that was pretty balanced.   And I am taking vitamin supplements:  multi, vit D, and vit C.  

Considering you didn't tell us the portion sizes at all or how you are preparing these foods (i.e. added fats, etc) there is absolutely no way we could tell you if you "would def lose weight". 

Also it is unrealistic to think you will be able to eat the same exact foods every day for ever. You need to have a variety of high fiber carbs, lean proteins and healthy fats in your diet to ensure you are meeting your daily nutr needs.

As for weight loss- that is based on energy (calories) in vs energy (calories) expended. In order to lose a pound of body fat you need to have a deficit of 3500 cals over a period of time. Figure out how many calories you need to take in and start counting, but don't try to limit your food choices so much, it won't work in the long run. You will most certainly get bored.

I think it sounds great in theory, with the exception of breakfast. I would add some eggbeaters or cottage cheese. Just to up the protein that last little bit.

My concern is....will you get bored? You may want to check into "Body For Life" a book by Bill Phillips. He gives a list of authorized proteins, carbs, and fats, and of course you need plenty of green veggies. That way you can mix it up a bit. Plus his plan allows for a "Free Day" once a week where you can eat whatever you want. That part did not work for me. I did not know how to re adjust after the free day back to the strict plan.

Hope this helps some. You can also get the food lists online for free!

I think you need to add some more complex carbs in there. Whole wheat bread?? Wraps? anything.

You probably don't want to hear this,  take it slower.  Stay on it though, just not so strict.  It takes a few months to loose weight and you don't want to get bored or frustrated and quit which is always my problem.  I still am trying to convince myself of this fact everytime.