Encouragement, please!! Gained 17 lbs since started MFP

takingcareofus

Hi. I eat healthy like 85-90% of the time. I feel like I'm trying,
but
binges in a few minutes once or twice a day have been adding on pounds. Or when I eat something not healthy just to ensure that I don't reach the starve-and-grab point.
Please send encouragement, MFP community
When do you make time to cook?
When do you exercise when you're stuck indoors and are fatigued?
Thank you each in advance.

Derf_Smeggle

takingcareofus wrote: »

When do you make time to cook?
When do you exercise when you're stuck indoors and are fatigued?
Thank you each in advance.

I cook in large quantities a couple times a week. Typically, Sunday and Thursday.

For instance 2 weeks ago I made a wok-full of stir fried veggies and mixed in quinoa. It made 3600 grams, or twelve 300g servings. This past week I made a huge pot of Butternut Squash and veggie soup. I then cooked up 500g of cod (raw weight). Reheated stuff as needed.

I like to buy rotisserie chicken for quick and easy protein, and avocados for a little bit of fat when I'm in a snacking mood.

Calorie tracking requires accuracy and weighing food is the most accurate measure. I was underestimating by 15 to 25% when I eyeballed my food measurement.

Regarding the exercise. That is my next phase of making better health choices. I practice a martial art, and have been out with an injury for 9 months. Returning next week because I simply love the activity and the community. Over the summer I cycled a lot, but it didn't offset my poor eating habits.

Don't exercise. Do physical activities that you enjoy.

Rely on exercise to generate better cardiovascular health, endurance, and strength. Rely on good eating habits to generate the bulk of your desired weight loss.

You can evaluate and develop the tools that work for you. You can achieve your goals!

MelodyandBarbells

If you're binging, your daily calories may be set too low or you may be trying to change too much too fast. It seems you're not used to cooking, exercising, eating just healthy items etc. You may wish to pick one simple thing to improve and go from there. What are your stats? How many calories are you trying to consume per day?

As for exercise, I thought about this recent thread when I saw your post: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10263516/how-do-you-get-10-000-steps-a-day/p1

There's talks about walks outside, but also lots of movement inside the house!

dramaqueen45

To state the obvious- if you have gained 17 pounds you are eating in a calorie surplus, not a deficit. If you eat something you deem "not healthy" just weigh it, log it and fit it into your calorie goals for the day. Don't deprive yourself of things you love and you won't be tempted to binge- just eat less of your favorite foods. Also, eating high protein, high fiber and healthy fats can keep you feeling fuller much longer. As for cooking- I typically will prep vegetables for the week on a Sunday afternoon so I can make things like salads, fajitas, soup, etc throughout the week without a lot of time. I know others who pre-cook meals or soups and freeze them. As for exercise- exercise to feel better and for heart health. Choose something you really enjoy. Most people can walk with no problem and if it's too cold where you are look for inside options. Most areas have malls and people who walk malls early mornings, or where I live we have a large middle and high school complex where people in the community can go and walk in the bad weather after school hours. Find a time that works for you. I wake up early but don't have the energy to go to the gym early mornings so I bring workout clothes with me to work and change before I leave so I will stop there on the way home (because I know I won't go back out after dinner). Again- find something fun for you. Most communities have things like zumba classes and if you don't then there are a lot of youtube videos for exercise.