Eating within my numbers

Dimples870410

This is turning out to be harder than I thought. I used to eating less when I need to. I've lost weight before when I needed to. This time knowing I need to eat within 1,800 is driving me insane. I either don't enough trying to stay within my numbers or I eat and go over. I really don't know how to do this. Im at work for my breakfast and my lunch which usually means fast food. If I go to the store to buy something it has to be for me and my 2 picky eaters which means I more then likely wont get it because they're not going to eat it. Why is watching what I eat so hard?

tahxirez

It sounds like you're making it harder than it is. There are plenty of healthier options at most fast food places but why not just meal prep? You can do a lot with 1800 calories. My maintenance calories are 1600. Make a meal plan that fits your goals and the needs of any who you cook for. Focus on one thing at a time. Your children are picky? Try making meals they like but lightened up. Don't tell them you are doing this, they will not notice. Side note: I encourage those in my house to try things within reason. If you genuinely don't like it that's fine but you have to try. That has been very helpful in expanding our menu.

Dimples870410

Thank you

quiksylver296

What about using a weekly calories total, rather than a daily one? 1800 X 7 = 12600. You could be over on Monday, under on Tuesday, etc, etc, but as long as you end up at 12,600 for the week, it would all equal out.

Dimples870410

@ quiksylver296 didn't think about that thank you.

TavistockToad

try pre-logging to see what fits?

EnolaGrey

TavistockToad wrote: »

try pre-logging to see what fits?

I do this, tweak my quantities/food until I get the number I want. My maintenance level will be under 1800 calories/day when I get to my desired weight. I have to learn changes for life.

try2again

As was mentioned, there are lower calorie fast food options, but breakfast & lunch are so easy (and cheaper) to do yourself! For breakfast, you could bring a Greek yogurt, hard boiled eggs, a baggie of high fiber cereal, fruit, protein bars (watch the calories- some have as many calories as a meal). Do you have access to a microwave at work? You could also heat up an oatmeal packet in less than a minute. For lunch you could just throw together a sandwich and a piece of fruit or fresh veggies the night before and grab it as you leave. Or leftovers, or a low calorie frozen entree. All of that would leave you the bulk of your calories for the evening. And no need to fix separate meals for you & the kids- just have a reasonable portion of what they're having and round it out with fresh fruits & veggies.