For the crazy days

blondeeblues

It isnt always crazy around here but we have our crazy days. Im very new to the calorie counting. Im also new to eating right and working out at the same time... for me its always one or the other... ive never commited to both. I am counting calories and working with a personal trainer 3x a week and doing cardio excersises in between. My husband works out of town for weeks at a time and I am here with the kids. And they keep me on my toes! Ive got a 6 year old boy who is on the autism spectrum. I also have a 4 year old girl. I pretty much have two little bad *kitten* 4 year old running around. Im beyond mentally exhausted. The gym and eating right has actually been a good escape lately from everything but I do have the crazy days that are challenging. After I get the kids from school its homework and leisure time. Today I was having problems with the internet and trying to get bills paid. The kids and the dog were working against me all day. By the time I got the bills paid, fed for the kids, cleaned up a bit of their mess, and helped bath them I have completely forgot about dinner. Ive heard plenty times dont eat after 6. Well its almost 7 and all I have is lean couisines. I really dont want to eat anything but I know if i skip dinner ill be hungry later, and ive been told by most people ive talked to that lean couisines are full of filler and lack nutritional value. Any suggestions for these crazy days?

jakichan

My two go-to foods:

Soup
Frozen veggies

No, seriously. The Progresso Light stuff is not too bad. My frozen veggies are often the blends with some spray fake butter on top. Super easy, super quick, filling.

manderson27

I usually just slip into a nice warm straight jacket on crazy days and lock myself in my little rubber room. Seriously though, on none crazy days make some containers of healthy food and freeze it then you can nuke them in the microwave. Oh and it is ok to eat after 6pm you wont turn into a pumpkin or anything honest

Liftng4Lis

Cook in bulk and freeze on days that aren't so tough on you.

SandyBVTN

I'd eat the lean cuisine, if it satisfies you and you can stay within your calorie goals, why not? They might be a great idea for you, for these crazy days (and wow, I do feel for you - what a day!!)

humblemonkey

A lean cuisine here and there, as well as eating after 6.7 occassionally isn't going to be a big hinderance... gotta look at the big picture instead of right up close. If you're eating well overall and staying healthy, one "slip" (if you want to cal lit that) here and there won't kill ya!

Holla4mom

I'm a mom of four over here, so my heart goes out to you! I've found from reading these boards that what time you eat is not a holy grail for many people who are still losing weight consistently. It's about the total calories. If you have to make something quick and easy, or pop in a lean cuisine, then do it. I've been making and freezing 16 bean soup cooked in homemade chicken stock with the chicken left in it and I can defrost some of that while doing homework with the kids, sautee some kale quickly and have a really yummy, filling dinner. I made a bunch of it one Saturday and froze it.

obscuremusicreference

If that no-food-past-six rule was real, I wouldn't have lost a pound! You could eat all of your calories at 3 am and be perfectly fine. (Note: does not apply to heartburn sufferers.)

None of that "filler" will hinder your weight loss. I second batch cooking when you can, but don't beat yourself up because you didn't.

segacs

Calories don't know or care what time it is when you eat them.

This is about a lifestyle change, not a "diet". Real life happens. As you said, real life is crazy sometimes.

Eat whatever you like, whenever you like. Aim to stay at or just under your weekly calorie goals as your main priority, and don't stress if you aren't sticking exactly to your macros or if sometimes you're eating something that's a bit less nutritious. Who cares? Life happens.

Look, I've had days when my daily calories consisted entirely of beer and cake. Is this something I should do regularly? Nope. But one day every couple of months won't kill me. Sometimes you just gotta roll with it.

blondeeblues

Thank you all for the response. I ended up saying screw the 6:00 rule and browning some turkey meat and making a turkey taco. I used the wheat tortilla and diced up a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes for the topping.

Crazy days is why I have the lean couisines. When everything is working against me I can pop one in the microwave. The canned soup is a good back up I have. I usually have chicken, tilapia or shrimp thawed out and I have my rice already cooked ahead but im running low on grocerys. Im going to costco today. Anyone have any recommendations of things to get at costco?

clambert1273

blondeeblues wrote: »

Thank you all for the response. I ended up saying screw the 6:00 rule and browning some turkey meat and making a turkey taco. I used the wheat tortilla and diced up a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes for the topping.

Crazy days is why I have the lean couisines. When everything is working against me I can pop one in the microwave. The canned soup is a good back up I have. I usually have chicken, tilapia or shrimp thawed out and I have my rice already cooked ahead but im running low on grocerys. Im going to costco today. Anyone have any recommendations of things to get at costco?

toilet paper and paper towels... those are huge buy in bulk items lol

kommodevaran

Don't eat after 6 (or 5 or 7 or 8 or 9) was useful when people didn't know about calories or had access to calorie tables and calculators. Now we do, so it's kind of obsolete. And we get up and go to bed later, so at least, those times to stop eating should have been adjusted, if they were to have any sense. But they don't.

yayamom3

I don't eat a lot of frozen meals, but keep them on hand for the occasional crazy day. I always add a cup of frozen veggies to them. It bumps up their nutritional value, makes them more filling and makes me feel better about what I just ate.

I'm also a big fan of cooking healthy food and freezing it in individual portions for later. Hang in there--this DOES get easier!

trisH_7183

My DD lost around 100 pds 6-7 years ago.She has a husband working days ,or lots of nights with no set schedule,plus a teen age son.She has kept it off,often cooking their meal & something different for herself,according to what meets her calorie goal.

Her work hours are 6:30am to 6 pm,which means it will be 7-7:30 before she has supper.It hasn't slowed her down.A long walk on her lunch hr,or after work & 5 miles at least 4 times a wk.

So you can lose by doing what works with your life,your schedule.It will take time to figure out ....but it can be done.BTW....Whatever ,be it LC,cereal or ? Is fine......not as if it's every day.Good luck, Pat

blondeeblues

Thank you ALL so much for the advice.

amtru2015

Rotisserie chickens are great for prepping meals that are quick. I usually pick one or two up on Sunday and some veggies that microwave right in the bag. Just pull apart the chicken and throw some of it and the veggies in tupperwares. Super fast and super nutritious. Also, Hormel has some refrigerated entrees---chicken breast and turkey. High in sodium yes but yummy and a lot better than a lot of other things. I have some of those for crazy days

blondeeblues

Thankyou! Great idea

bkerr30

I work two jobs and have a family as well so I feel your pain on the "crazy days". Honestly there are some days I eat dinner over the sink and some of the times that "dinner" is chips

bkerr30

At Costco I like their salmon which I preportion and freeze individually as well as the big bins of spinach or spring mix. My cousin when she was pregnant would buy those cut veggie and fruit trays for days she didn't have energy to prepare healthy meals (she has MS). You pay a premium for prepared trays but they may be handy on those "crazy days". Best of luck girl!