Budget Meal Planning - Phase 1

One of my goals of P90X is do to the nutrition plan on a budget. The first time I attempted P90X it wasn't the physical strain that lead me to quit, but the financial fustration.

The first time I attempted to follow the meal plan exactly and what happened was: 1) my grocery bill was $200-250 per week for two people, 2) the volume of the recipes did not match the weekly consumption, hence freezing soups were required, and 3) the time to eat the produce tended to become extended and I ended up throwing a portion of the food out because of rot.

Examples of the excessive recipe volume are many. (1 quart of cucumber soup when only a cup is required, 2.5cups of pesto sauce when a couple tablespoons is all that is required, etc).

Also several expensive items are required when cheaper substitutes are avaklable (Ie Salad Greens vs Arugula). I will endeavor to cut back the plan and offer substitutes.

start P90X

Today I start P90X workout. This is an intense DVD workout that I attempted once in the past but couldn't last more than a couple weeks. It isn't for the faint of heart.

Here is my bio:
Male, 28yrs, 190lbs, 5'10"
My job is sitting in front of a computer and I do little else when i get home
My eating habits are whatever I feel like, with fast food generally once or twice a week.

My plan is to:
1) Ramp into P90x for the 1st week and start to watch what I eat
2) The 2nd week will be the start of p90X
3) Modify the nutrition plan to make it affordable (the first time I tried the food cost me $700/mth)
4) Try to include some fun activities besides the videos
5) Go the distance.