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Help, my diet is out of control!

Jossies01

I was doing so well up until xmas last year! Ever since over indulging on Xmas food I haven't been able to get back on the wagon!! I've been going to the gym but not as regularly mainly because it's a bit of a distance from my home and circumstances such as kids, appointments, studying and hubby's work hours have been getting in the way. I'm going to be joining a closer gym in May when my current membership ends so I think i'll find my gym motivation again when that happens. I really feel my main problem is food and I can't seem to get a grip of my eating habits. I'm really lazy with calorie counting... I guesstimate a lot. I've been depressed recently and have been comfort food eating a lot. I really really want to get this under control but just don't know where to start. My food cupboards are filled with naughty food from Easter or just simply because I can't afford to buy the healthier stuff. Why does healthy food always cost so much more than fatty, bad food? I just don't get it. Anyways, I have 4 kids and a hubby so our budget is quiet tight and I cant afford to buy fancy ingredients that cost an arm and a leg just for meals for me

I'm feeling pretty lost right now. Does anyone have any suggestions to get me started? Maybe some healthy, reasonable priced snack ideas or reasonably cheap meal ideas? Maybe I could borrow someone's motivation and will power for a while just to get the ball rolling haha!

Replies

concordancia

Choose one thing to focus on. When you have that down, choose another focus.

A good place to start is to incorporate more veggies. For me, a focus on five servings, with yummy proteins, doesn't leave me as much time or energy to reach for quite as much junk food. And, it keeps my focus on a positive, rather than what I can't have.

brrrycicle

I try to eat as healthy as possible on a tight budget as well. I've found that my weight loss hasn't hinged as much on "fancy" healthy foods, as eating the appropriate portion sizes of the foods that I love most. That said, I try to incorporate as much protein and fiber in my daily eating to help keep my hunger in check.

(Cheap) foods that I stock up on are tons of frozen veggies, boneless-skinless chicken breasts that I cut into 4-5 oz portion sizes that I keep in the freezer, old fashioned rolled oats, canned beans, fresh apples, bananas, avocados, veggies (bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, carrots), and frozen fish like cod and pollock.

I still eat frozen pizza (did so today), though now I don't eat the whole pizza, but one serving size. Keeps me happy, but still losing weight. Good luck! Also, if you have trouble getting to gym right now, try looking up YouTube workouts to get you by.

cupcakesplz

You sound just like me! I have a hubby and 4 kids too. I stopped going to the gym due to cost. I am also on a small budget. To control all of this I do a menu meal plan for the week. I like to cook a different meal for my kids like chicken enchiladas and pasta baked. I cook twice as much and freeze half of it for another nights dinner. For my self and hubby I grill chicken thighs and make up a salad. I then use some of the chicken and salad for my lunch the next day. I bake and freeze all of my kids lunches including the sandwhiches (we are in Australia and I like to pack frozen lunches for my kids so that when its lunch time their lunch is nice a cool). Going to the shops with a menu plan for the week stops me from over buying and helps me stick to the plan. I also go without the kids.

cupcakesplz

I am trying to not eat snacks, but have bigger meals. Otherwise I bake mini muffins and freeze them. I will snack on cooked chicken breast, egg or drink water and clean to keep my self busy

ReaderGirl3

Jossies01 wrote: »

I was doing so well up until xmas last year! Ever since over indulging on Xmas food I haven't been able to get back on the wagon!! I've been going to the gym but not as regularly mainly because it's a bit of a distance from my home and circumstances such as kids, appointments, studying and hubby's work hours have been getting in the way. I'm going to be joining a closer gym in May when my current membership ends so I think i'll find my gym motivation again when that happens. I really feel my main problem is food and I can't seem to get a grip of my eating habits. I'm really lazy with calorie counting... I guesstimate a lot. I've been depressed recently and have been comfort food eating a lot. I really really want to get this under control but just don't know where to start. My food cupboards are filled with naughty food from Easter or just simply because I can't afford to buy the healthier stuff. Why does healthy food always cost so much more than fatty, bad food? I just don't get it. Anyways, I have 4 kids and a hubby so our budget is quiet tight and I cant afford to buy fancy ingredients that cost an arm and a leg just for meals for me I'm feeling pretty lost right now. Does anyone have any suggestions to get me started? Maybe some healthy, reasonable priced snack ideas or reasonably cheap meal ideas? Maybe I could borrow someone's motivation and will power for a while just to get the ball rolling haha!

You can lose weight eating any type of food, including 'naughty' foods, just like you can gain weight eating 'healthy' foods. Start accurately tracking your calorie intake and focus on staying within your calorie parameters. Repeat every day. Watch the weight drop

As far as exercise/gym, exercise is great for overall health but it's not a big deal for weight loss. I didn't actually exercise at all during my active weight loss phase. I still only exercise periodically (walking), during maintenance. Focus on your calorie intake/accurately tracking your calories/doing accurate portion sizes. I highly recommend getting a cheap (under $20) food scale and start measuring your foods-very eye opening!

IGbnat24

If you must keep garbage food in the house for hubby and kids, put it in a room other than the kitchen so you won't see it and be tempted when you open the cupboards. Sure, it CAN be a part of a balanced diet, but if you have a tendency to mindlessly snack or overeat, it's best to get it out.

Healthy food is not more expensive. A pound of frozen veggies ~$1, a pound of skinless, boneless chicken breast ~$2, a pound of potatoes ~$.75. You just fed your entire family a healthy, whole foods meal for $3.75.

As for not going to the gym, why not do bodyweight exercise circuits at home? Buy a jump rope for $5. Do 5 rounds of 100 jumps, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 10 bicycle crunches, 10 squats, 10 lunges.

No excuses.