Everything or nothing
sk1nnyf0rm3
Posts: 110 Member
Hi all!
So I have a problem. I eat everything or nothing. Literally. My intake is either high (1700-2500) or low (400-800) there is no in-between. If it's high it's because of sweets/chips/other junk food. And if it's low it's cause I really just didn't eat much that day.
I'm very picky so it's hard to find the healthy foods I do like and eat those without just eating the same 2-4 things all the time. I'm a vegetarian too which limits my choices in protein and such.
But anyway, I don't know how to balance it. I'm fairly active between having 2 puppies, an older dog, a horse, and working a fast paced job where I'm on my feet all the time. But my nutrition is horrible and I just don't know how to balance everything. It's literally all or nothing with me. Any help is appreciated
So I have a problem. I eat everything or nothing. Literally. My intake is either high (1700-2500) or low (400-800) there is no in-between. If it's high it's because of sweets/chips/other junk food. And if it's low it's cause I really just didn't eat much that day.
I'm very picky so it's hard to find the healthy foods I do like and eat those without just eating the same 2-4 things all the time. I'm a vegetarian too which limits my choices in protein and such.
But anyway, I don't know how to balance it. I'm fairly active between having 2 puppies, an older dog, a horse, and working a fast paced job where I'm on my feet all the time. But my nutrition is horrible and I just don't know how to balance everything. It's literally all or nothing with me. Any help is appreciated
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Replies
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The best thing I can suggest to you is developing a routine. Breakfast at this time, lunch at this time, snacks in between. Notice your triggers and stay away from them. Me, I was really bad about going home and plopping on the couch with a snack and that would land me way over for the day. So, instead I always busy myself with working out, house work, etc. so I'm not tempted to eat. My other problem is snacking too much at night after hubs goes to bed. I find If I fix myself some hot tea instead that curbs that problem. Its really all about finding something that works for you.... but I'd say routine is key.0
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What are your goals? What foods do you like?0
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Change. You know what the problem is, so fix it. Stop labelling yourself a "picky eater" and start trying new things. Stop labelling yourself "all or nothing" and moderate your intake.
Falling back on a label as if you have no control over your own life is not going to help. You've identified a problem, start working to correct it.0 -
I think the cold hard fact is only you can change it. You pick the food up, you put it in your mouth, it's you who decides what goes in or what doesn't.
Once I realized this, and that I was in control of my dietary intake not the other way round, it all clicked in to place.
Eat the foods you like using a common sense approach to creating a balanced dietary intake which creates a calorie deficit. Assuming you have no medical conditions there is no need to label foods as "junk" or eliminate anything from your dietary intake (again a common sense approach should prevail, no one is saying eat 1400 calories of peeps per day, just as no one is saying you should eat 1400 calories of cucumber a day).
The above is in no way meant to be condescending or snarky in anyway, it's just something I wish someone would have slapped me in the face with years ago.
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Change. You know what the problem is, so fix it. Stop labelling yourself a "picky eater" and start trying new things. Stop labelling yourself "all or nothing" and moderate your intake.
Falling back on a label as if you have no control over your own life is not going to help. You've identified a problem, start working to correct it.
^^ Winner!0 -
Sounds like you are unknowingly balancing your calories out. Problem is, unless you are doing it methodically you are probably going over your limit in the end and running yourself into the ground? Just a guess.
For me, eating the same amount of calories a day (more when I exercise) and eating around the same scheduled times helps keep me happy and operating efficiently. I've developed a routine that works for me. I did that by not allowing excuses, taking responsibility, a little trial and error - and BAM! With consistency and hard work I developed a way to create a healthy and realistic calorie deficit.
There are people with busier, crazier lives than yours that have figured it out. You can do it too! =]0 -
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Change. You know what the problem is, so fix it. Stop labelling yourself a "picky eater" and start trying new things. Stop labelling yourself "all or nothing" and moderate your intake.
Falling back on a label as if you have no control over your own life is not going to help. You've identified a problem, start working to correct it.
I have tried to correct it by myself and need advice on how to do it. What I am doing is obviously not working0 -
I think the cold hard fact is only you can change it. You pick the food up, you put it in your mouth, it's you who decides what goes in or what doesn't.
Once I realized this, and that I was in control of my dietary intake not the other way round, it all clicked in to place.
Eat the foods you like using a common sense approach to creating a balanced dietary intake which creates a calorie deficit. Assuming you have no medical conditions there is no need to label foods as "junk" or eliminate anything from your dietary intake (again a common sense approach should prevail, no one is saying eat 1400 calories of peeps per day, just as no one is saying you should eat 1400 calories of cucumber a day).
The above is in no way meant to be condescending or snarky in anyway, it's just something I wish someone would have slapped me in the face with years ago.
It's been so long that I was balanced I honestly don't think I know what it looks like...Can you give me an example of a balanced meal/day/snack? That would be so, so helpful
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Sounds like you are unknowingly balancing your calories out. Problem is, unless you are doing it methodically you are probably going over your limit in the end and running yourself into the ground? Just a guess.
For me, eating the same amount of calories a day (more when I exercise) and eating around the same scheduled times helps keep me happy and operating efficiently. I've developed a routine that works for me. I did that by not allowing excuses, taking responsibility, a little trial and error - and BAM! With consistency and hard work I developed a way to create a healthy and realistic calorie deficit.
There are people with busier, crazier lives than yours that have figured it out. You can do it too! =]
Yea, pretty much. What's a good amount for me to start with? 1200? 1000? I've stated before I wanna lose 15-20, maybe more. I honestly have no idea where to even start...0 -
It is possible to lose weight eating only carbs, but it is difficult because they are so easy to eat and they break down very quickly. You could lose weight eating 200 calorie donuts, as long as you limit how many you eat. Six per day would be 1200 calories. But it doesn't sound like a good diet to me.0
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You need to eat a minimum amount every day, always eat that and then slightly cut back on the days where you eat in excess.
If you do some research into foods you can eat and how much, then you can preplan your food and simply have breakfast 1,2,3,4,5,6 or lunch 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. Once you get comfy then you cna swap it around. not eating enough is as big a problem over time as eating too much so you need balance.
In figuring out where you want to start then you need to provide your age, weight, height current weight and target weight.0 -
I think you have to reconcile yourself to some short-term gain of weight while you fix your eating patterns. You are within the healthy BMI currently?0
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sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »
Yea, pretty much. What's a good amount for me to start with? 1200? 1000? I've stated before I wanna lose 15-20, maybe more. I honestly have no idea where to even start...
Did you put your info into MyFitnessPal? It should have given you a calorie goal based on that. You shouldn't go below 1200.
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Can you narrow down the "all carbs" you like? Are we talking bread, pasta, rice, etc.? Do you eat any fruits or vegetables? If so, which ones do you like? We can possibly suggest similar, but different items you haven't tried yet.
Have you seen a dietician or nutritionist for a meal plan? Sounds like it may be helpful for someone to line up a full plan for you based on what you do / can eat and then you JUST DO IT. Don't ask yourself if this is what you feel like eating. It's on your plan. That's what you're having. Only YOU can stop yourself from diverting off the plan. You can do it! DECIDE to.0 -
How about a new rule? You will eat a little protein with every meal you have.
Hummus, lentils, nuts, nut butters, beans, mushrooms...
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You need to eat a minimum amount every day, always eat that and then slightly cut back on the days where you eat in excess.
If you do some research into foods you can eat and how much, then you can preplan your food and simply have breakfast 1,2,3,4,5,6 or lunch 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. Once you get comfy then you cna swap it around. not eating enough is as big a problem over time as eating too much so you need balance.
In figuring out where you want to start then you need to provide your age, weight, height current weight and target weight.
I'm 19, 5'4 and wanna lose 15-20 lbs at least0 -
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ReignOerMe wrote: »sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »
Yea, pretty much. What's a good amount for me to start with? 1200? 1000? I've stated before I wanna lose 15-20, maybe more. I honestly have no idea where to even start...
Did you put your info into MyFitnessPal? It should have given you a calorie goal based on that. You shouldn't go below 1200.
I did, but it didn't seem like they knew my body really well. The amount they suggested for my maintaining made me gain actually0 -
How tall are you. Are you already a healthy weight?0
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Can you narrow down the "all carbs" you like? Are we talking bread, pasta, rice, etc.? Do you eat any fruits or vegetables? If so, which ones do you like? We can possibly suggest similar, but different items you haven't tried yet.
Have you seen a dietician or nutritionist for a meal plan? Sounds like it may be helpful for someone to line up a full plan for you based on what you do / can eat and then you JUST DO IT. Don't ask yourself if this is what you feel like eating. It's on your plan. That's what you're having. Only YOU can stop yourself from diverting off the plan. You can do it! DECIDE to.
Yea, bread, pasta, rice (although I've been trying to cut back unsuccessfully which has led to no bread/pasta for a few weeks, but instead donuts and cookies) I do eat fruits and veggies, but not many (I only really like green grapes apples, and carrots)
I have seen a dietician and nutritionist and it doesn't work because I like such a small amount and type of food...0 -
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Prelog your day in the morning and stick with it! Pre logging also allows you to tweak things if you're over or under and you can also make sure you're able to fit in a treat so you don't feel like your missing out.
Don't go Grocery shopping when you're hungry, and do NOT buy junk food while you're there. If it's not in the house you won't be able to eat it.
I really felt like chocolate last night, but I didn't have any here, so I had a low calorie yogurt instead. Th hat saved me hundreds of useless calories.
Above all find your willpower and remember why you wanted to lose weight in the first place 0 -
You create a daily plan and commit to it. Winging it on what you feel like eating will keep leading your to what you're doing now.sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »Hi all!
So I have a problem. I eat everything or nothing. Literally. My intake is either high (1700-2500) or low (400-800) there is no in-between. If it's high it's because of sweets/chips/other junk food. And if it's low it's cause I really just didn't eat much that day.
I'm very picky so it's hard to find the healthy foods I do like and eat those without just eating the same 2-4 things all the time. I'm a vegetarian too which limits my choices in protein and such.
But anyway, I don't know how to balance it. I'm fairly active between having 2 puppies, an older dog, a horse, and working a fast paced job where I'm on my feet all the time. But my nutrition is horrible and I just don't know how to balance everything. It's literally all or nothing with me. Any help is appreciated
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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...Which is what? Why do you want to lose so much weight if you are already at a healthy weight?sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »
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Learn how to cook or take a cooking class. Preparing meals from scratch makes you appreciate what you eat and you will discover new foods. You can even log cooking as calories burned!0
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...Which is what? Why do you want to lose so much weight if you are already at a healthy weight?sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »
Healthy weight for 5'4" is 143 - 108 so there is 15-20lbs of loss possible there. There isn't really anything wrong with losing weight even if one is already a technically "healthy" weight. With frame size it can really depend what the weight looks like.0 -
sk1nnyf0rm3 wrote: »
Your high days aren't so high when you consider how low your low days are. I am 5'4" 135 lbs and more than twice your age. And I can lose eating @ 1500 calories per day. You should NOT eat less than 1200 calories avg.
Have you heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy? This is when you say something so often it becomes true. Stop saying "I'm a picky eater". There are plenty of foods that the first time I tried them, I was like, Meh. Then the second time they were okay. And now I love them and eat them all the time. And there are some things that are still just okay but they fill a hole in my diet, so I eat them. It sounds like you are using this as a crutch. Get excited about trying new things and go in telling yourself you will like it.
It's important to get enough protein, carbs, and fats. Plug your stats into MFP, choose one lb or half a pound per week as your goal, and start consistently logging your food. See what you are coming up short on, and start trying stuff that will fill that in.
Tell yourself it is your job to be healthy. Look at it as a challenge. Look at it as a game. Focus on what you are learning or discovering. If you find a food that you maybe like, google it for recipes of different ways to prepare it. Whatever works 0 -
My brother was a picky eater for years...until he wasn't.
Try stuff. Try things you have never heard of before. Pinterest and Google are your friends for recipe ideas when you don't know how to prepare something. Find out what your friends are eating. If you eat out, order something different. Try things at least twice before you say you don't like them. Try ethnic foods you are afraid of trying. I thought for years that I didn't like radishes because I didn't like them when I was a kid. I got them in a CSA box and tried them. Ends up, I liked them now! My husband said for years he hated yoghurt, until he finally tried some then remembered it was tapioca that he didn't like. He went years without eating yoghurt. Worst case scenario is that you confirm you don't think something. Best case scenario is you find a whole bunch of foods you never knew you loved.0
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