I need help!

sagittariusgirl89

I am 29 years old, I am 5’4” and weigh around 134. I used to be 110 but I had a baby 2 years ago and I eat garbage. My biggest struggle is food. I work full time and have a toddler and it is so hard to make dinner. I find myself getting fast food a lot.
I have an elliptical - can I lose weight with that also with eating healthy?
Any tips on eating healthy? How do I get started? Any go to easy dinners? I want to weigh 120. That is my goal. And go down a jean size

cmriverside

Start logging your food. 30 minutes on the elliptical sounds like a good start. A walk with the baby sounds even better.

Log your food, study your food journal and stay in calories. That's it.

sagittariusgirl89

My fitness pal recommends 1200 calories? Also, I tend to get hungry after dinner, what do you recommend me to eat for a snack before bed if I do get hungry?

JLHuntah

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

My fitness pal recommends 1200 calories? Also, I tend to get hungry after dinner, what do you recommend me to eat for a snack before bed if I do get hungry?

You might want to do a little research on macros. Correct portions of Healthy Fat (olive oil, avocado etc) with lean Protein and carbs (think veggies & whole grains). eating the correct amount should fill you up. Also...water water water.

TavistockToad

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

My fitness pal recommends 1200 calories? Also, I tend to get hungry after dinner, what do you recommend me to eat for a snack before bed if I do get hungry?

are you actually sedentary, with working and having a toddler?

sagittariusgirl89

Yes, I have an office job So I sit all the time lol. I only get weekends with my daughter so I move more with her

quiksylver296

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

My fitness pal recommends 1200 calories? Also, I tend to get hungry after dinner, what do you recommend me to eat for a snack before bed if I do get hungry?

Eat anything you want as a snack.

If you're only looking to lose 14 pounds, you shouldn't be set to lose 2 pounds per week (which I assume you did?).

75+ pounds to lose = 2 lbs per week
30-75 pounds to lose = 1 lbs per week
Under 30 pounds - 0.5 lbs per week

Switch it 0.5 lbs per week.

cmriverside

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

Yes, I have an office job So I sit all the time lol. I only get weekends with my daughter so I move more with her

I'm retired and don't have a toddler and I'm set at Lightly Active. I agree with quicksylver, set your goal at "Lose 1/2 pound per week." I would use "Lightly Active" too.

Eat whatever you like within calories. I like to have something with protein, fat, and carbs in every meal and snack. For the first while, I would suggest you just log your food and pay attention to how certain meals make you feel. Do they stick with you long enough to get to the next feed? Are you getting sufficient protein and fat and fiber? (Pro-tip: try to get whole fruits and/or vegetables in every feed.)

pinuplove

You'd be surprised at how little movement qualifies as 'lightly active.' I am lightly active + a bit more based on actual results (calories in vs weight lost) with a desk job and very little else.

You'll probably get a few more calories once you adjust your activity setting and weight loss goal. 1200 is just miserable. Also, at your height and weight 14 pounds will probably be more like 2 sizes. At least 1 and a half.

quiksylver296

Oh, and dinner ideas...

Crock pot! I leave the house at 4:00 a.m. and get home around 7:00 p.m. on work days. Dinner better be either ready or quick prep or it ain't happenin'! I try to use my crock pot for days like that.

Chicken breasts and green salsa in the crock pot all day. When I get home from work, shred the chicken, throw in a tortilla with some cheese. Delicious chicken tacos.

I also do pulled pork, beef stew, taco soup (tonight's dinner), etc, etc.

sagittariusgirl89

Thanks guys! If was set at 1 pound a week so I just changed it to .5 and to lightly active!
How long and often would you recommend the elliptical?

quiksylver296

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

Thanks guys! If was set at 1 pound a week so I just changed it to .5 and to lightly active!
How long and often would you recommend the elliptical?

Up to you and your schedule. The recommendation is 150 minutes per week, I think. So, five days of 30 minutes...

But any is better than none.

sagittariusgirl89

Thank you!

maronesax1972

Crock pot meals are saviors for my family and I. We are on the go constantly and plan two, healthy crock pot meals a week. Usually start with protein (chicken and pork are my go to’s). Then add a couple of bags of frozen veggies (I like steam fresh). We use the broccoli and carrots and the Asian medley. Then add some gravy. If you want to add some carbs, put some brown rice in. It’s litterally a 300 calorie dinner with 40grams of protein. And it will fill you up. Usually use chicken breast and pork loins. Then as others stated, 30 min of cardio 3 days a week will help! Good luck, you can do it!

spiriteagle99

Soup, chili, stew can all be made in big batches and just reheated. Chicken, hamburgers, fajitas etc. are quick and easy. Buy a roast chicken at the grocery - that will work for a couple of meals. Hormel makes roast beef that is quick and easy with a baked potato. Pork chops are easy - either thin and quick fried or thick and baked for an hour with rice and tomato and onion for Spanish pork chops.

TavistockToad

sagittariusgirl89 wrote: »

Yes, I have an office job So I sit all the time lol. I only get weekends with my daughter so I move more with her

I have an office job but I still get 6000 steps a day which is more than sedentary?