REALLY restarting...for real this time...

alliesun53

My name is Allie, I am from Charlotte, NC. I moved here from Long Island in December, and cooking on a budget means a lot of pasta and refined carbs. Especially living with someone who doesn't eat meat. Or beans, or veggies. I'm cooking for a 28 year old "man-child". And eating like him. (I use man-child with love. He's a great man, just a picky eater. 4 year olds have a broader pallet than him. haha)



Ok, the picture on the left is me after 4 months of using MFP religiously. That was March 2012, and even after that picture I lost another 15 lbs for a total loss of about 50 lbs. The pic on the right is from this weekend hiking. A year and a half, and I put back on everything, plus some. So after seeing that, I am RESTARTING, counting, exercising, the whole 9 yards. I want to be healthy and make myself and my fiance proud.

So I'm doing it. And I'd love to have support in this.

I also was doing a group here for Ironman challenge. For the month, you log you bike, swim and run miles to total up to an ironman tri. Cant find the group anymore...

alliesun53

I cant figure out the picture!!!

My name is Allie, I am from Charlotte, NC. I moved here from Long Island in December, and cooking on a budget means a lot of pasta and refined carbs. Especially living with someone who doesn't eat meat. Or beans, or veggies. I'm cooking for a 28 year old "man-child". And eating like him. (I use man-child with love. He's a great man, just a picky eater. 4 year olds have a broader pallet than him. haha)



Ok, the picture on the left is me after 4 months of using MFP religiously. That was March 2012, and even after that picture I lost another 15 lbs for a total loss of about 50 lbs. The pic on the right is from this weekend hiking. A year and a half, and I put back on everything, plus some. So after seeing that, I am RESTARTING, counting, exercising, the whole 9 yards. I want to be healthy and make myself and my fiance proud.

So I'm doing it. And I'd love to have support in this.

I also was doing a group here for Ironman challenge. For the month, you log you bike, swim and run miles to total up to an ironman tri. Cant find the group anymore...

tripledipped13

Request sent

vytamindi

Gotta make those IMG lowercase. Weird, I know.

alliesun53

now its too big...lol. oh man.

_HeartsOnFire_

Hello! I live in Charlotte also!!!

The most important thing is believing you can do it. I think you know that because you've done it before.

If you're looking for a partner for walking/running, hell even swimming let me know!

jodyblanchard

You look wonderful! Keep up the hard work!

Avason

Hi! I'm restarting as well!
Let's do this!

alliesun53

YEAH! Fixed it. Ok, so theres the pic, left is BEFORE, right is NOW. Yuck. Motivation time.

alliesun53

Awesome!! Definitely!

Hello! I live in Charlotte also!!!

The most important thing is believing you can do it. I think you know that because you've done it before.

If you're looking for a partner for walking/running, hell even swimming let me know!

themedalist

Could I make a suggestion? You clearly know how to lose weight. I'm sure you'll be sucessful again. But this time, at the beginning, start thinking about and developing your maintenance strategy. How are you going to maintain your weight loss? What daily practices or strategies will you use? Are you willing to make lifestyle changes permanent? Your maintenance strategy is every bit as important (maybe more so) than your weight loss strategy. In my opinion, most people regain the weight they lost because they didn't plan for maintenance and once they reach their goal weight they don't test and refine their maintenance strategies.

I'm in my second year of maintaining a 50 pound weight loss. It can be done! I wish you every success!

Never2Bz

Great for you! You have the 2Hs... Honesty and Humor... good things to have on your latest journey.

I've been on MFP for more than 600 days... not all good but not all bad. I think logging every day has kept me from repeating the 'old days' of gaining everything back when I'm not being honest with myself. Now they are smaller gains.

Right now I'm reading a book I bought from a "3 for $10" bin of books at a grocery store. It's a study of people who have not gained their weight back for years. There is something they learned or achieved that we are still searching for, I guess. I look forward each night to a few chapters because I want to know how it ends! :-)

Good luck, and "friend me" anytime.

janewelshsoriente

Hi

I just started today too! i read your post and your story could have been me. I lost 4 stones and ended up putting thelot back on again (and some) due to a really bad 18 months. i am now hopinig to get back on track. It woudl be great to invite you to be a friend if i knew how lol... am still trying to navigate myself around the site!!!

Good luck! x

alliesun53

Could I make a suggestion? You clearly know how to lose weight. I'm sure you'll be sucessful again. But this time, at the beginning, start thinking about and developing your maintenance strategy. How are you going to maintain your weight loss? What daily practices or strategies will you use? Are you willing to make lifestyle changes permanent? Your maintenance strategy is every bit as important (maybe more so) than your weight loss strategy. In my opinion, most people regain the weight they lost because they didn't plan for maintenance and once they reach their goal weight they don't test and refine their maintenance strategies.

I'm in my second year of maintaining a 50 pound weight loss. It can be done! I wish you every success!

Thank you for the suggestion, and I actually did plan a maintence strategy...but putting it into practice, I got lazy and told my self a slice a pizza, a beer or 2, birthday cake "just this once" added up. I do know how to do it, what my body responds to (LOW LOW LOW carbs...carbs are awful for me...especially every single day.) But yes, long term and sticking to it is part of my plan.

alliesun53

sent

cheriann94

Hi I am starting again too!! We can do this together, we can do it, and we WILL do it!!

Chrissie_R

best of luck to you x

MelissaPhippsFeagins

Sending a friend request but want to encourage you that even on a budget you can feed your pasta eater without eating his pasta. I have celiac disease and four kids -– one in college. Canned veggies are better than no veggies and can be used to make lower sugar sauces for the pasta which you can than eat over a chicken breast, for instance. good luck on your journey and welcome to the South. We hope you love it here!

alliesun53

Great idea...thanks!

AimeeBaumgartner

This is so me! I've been gaining it back too because I'm a nervous person and I eat for comfort. I need daily support! Friend request me if you like and we can motivate each other!

GingerLolita

I would definitely recommend switching out refined carbs for whole-grain versions like whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread, and brown rice. (If you're worried about your picky eater, start with versions of pastas and breads that are 50% whole grain to get used to the taste). Also, pasta is a great dish to sneak in all sorts of healthy foods! I love dicing up some zucchini or bell peppers. Also, you can always add a vegetable side dish to any meal just for yourself. And fill in nutritional gaps with snacks! If he'll eat nuts, I always love throwing a bit onto a finished dish, such as a stir-fry or rice dish, for crunch and protein!

pinkstp

Good luck My man-child used to also have a severely limited palate (i.e. double cheeseburgers, fries, lbs of spaghetti with meat sauce, etc. etc. - NO FRUIT and definitely NO VEG!) and I slowly was integrated into his eating habits (and portion sizes, he's 6'5" and I'm 5'4", bad bad idea). When I decided to start getting healthy, it was all about separate meals... the kicker is, that mine were so much tastier that I converted HIM to a veggie lover and got back to being a vegetarian myself and he joined me Now we are both working on our health and it's much easier to eat together

Again, good luck with your journey! Nothing wrong with making separate meals and if he sees how much you're enjoying yours, maybe he'll be tempted to expand his horizons a little

CMorin2105

I'm restarting again too! I have a man-child as well and I know how hard it can be to just give in to their habits!! Add me! I'd love to support you in your journey!

laserturkey

My husband had a really limited list of foods he would eat when we first started dating. He learned pretty quick that if he wanted a home-cooked meal he was going to have to suck it up and learn to eat broccoli, Brussels sprouts, black-eyed peas, etc. I have kept experimenting with different ways to prepare things and now he actually LIKES Brussels sprouts that have been roasted in the oven, kale chips that have been baked, and broccoli served in an Asian "beef with broccoli" sauce. He eats curries and dals and all sorts of other unusual things I prepare, too. A big part of picky eating is unfamiliarity. Keep exposing a picky eater to those new foods, and they will find them less strange and probably grow to like many of them. We have easy foods on hand, too, so if he (or my son) HAS to have something else, he can make his own.

Dried beans can be your best friend for eating on a budget. Lots of protein and fiber for very little money, and there are so many different things that can be made with them!

Capt_Apollo

cooking on a budget means a lot of pasta and refined carbs.

no it doesn't. you just have to be smart when you go shopping, and keep your eyes peeled for discounts.

Robin_Bin

Right now I'm reading a book I bought from a "3 for $10" bin of books at a grocery store. It's a study of people who have not gained their weight back for years. There is something they learned or achieved that we are still searching for, I guess. I look forward each night to a few chapters because I want to know how it ends! :-)

Could you share the name of the book and the author? Any lessons you've gleaned so far?

I agree with the person above who said to start considering maintenance plans now. If you think of the changes you make with MFP as temporary, they will be.

cooking on a budget means a lot of pasta and refined carbs.

Not necessarily. Sounds like one thing that might help is broadening both of your palates. There are great (and terrible and mediocre) recipes on this site -- see the Recipes board -- and on the Internet in general. Do you like fruit? spaghetti squash? yogurt or yogurt based creamy sauces? how about roasted vegetables? spiced cous cous? Even if you stick with pasta, how about the healthier, fiber and vegetable rich forms? Farm stands have lots of inexpensive choices -- stop by one and pick up some things you like and some things you've never tried before. This is a great time of year for that -- especially given your region of the country. And the people running the stand may even have some good recommendations for preparation -- if you pick a time when they aren't too busy.

Good luck!

P.S. Why are you doing all the food prep? A 28 year old should be able to prepare a meal -- at least sometimes. And if you make something he doesn't like, he should be able to make his own alternative. Your choice of course -- how you divy up the chores -- but I wouldn't let a man or child dictate all the meals in my home, especially not when I'm cooking. Some adjustments for taste, allergies and health needs are acceptable, but sounds like you're either letting him have too much limiting control or using him as an excuse?

Lorrainewilson64

I'm starting today also ....... got to stay focused and keep reading everybody's tips, progress and support ... to keep me motivated

ShinyHappyMe15

I can so relate!! I'm 4'11 and my DH is 6' Eating the same portions of heavy carbs and not enough fruits/veggies is what got me 50 pounds overweight. Would like to work on realistically losing it in a manner that I can keep it off. I lost 30 pounds and got down to goal weight after my kids were born, but life and other excuses got in the way and I've slowly put it all back on (plus more! :sad: )
I'm working with a tight budget right now, so what I've been doing is price matching on all the produce items from other stores at Wal-Mart. I'm eating a lot better, and the money saved is really helpful.

Feel free to add. I'm looking for support and encouragement. I can be a big cheerleader:drinker: as well.

alliesun53

Not necessarily. Sounds like one thing that might help is broadening both of your palates. There are great (and terrible and mediocre) recipes on this site -- see the Recipes board -- and on the Internet in general. Do you like fruit? spaghetti squash? yogurt or yogurt based creamy sauces? how about roasted vegetables? spiced cous cous? Even if you stick with pasta, how about the healthier, fiber and vegetable rich forms? Farm stands have lots of inexpensive choices -- stop by one and pick up some things you like and some things you've never tried before. This is a great time of year for that -- especially given your region of the country. And the people running the stand may even have some good recommendations for preparation -- if you pick a time when they aren't too busy.

Good luck!

P.S. Why are you doing all the food prep? A 28 year old should be able to prepare a meal -- at least sometimes. And if you make something he doesn't like, he should be able to make his own alternative. Your choice of course -- how you divy up the chores -- but I wouldn't let a man or child dictate all the meals in my home, especially not when I'm cooking. Some adjustments for taste, allergies and health needs are acceptable, but sounds like you're either letting him have too much limiting control or using him as an excuse?

My palate is fine, I eat fruits, veggies, whole wheat...when Im on track and focused. Our split of chores is that I do the dinner cooking. Mostly because its easier, I'm home from work first, and I like to do it. Theres nothing wrong with doing things for your family...am I using him as an EXCUSE? No...I know perfectly well what I did and where I went wrong. I got lazy, I cooked one meal that he would like/eat, and that's that. He does not eat meat, and being on such a budget, not that I want to get into finances here, but buying more than I have to right now isn't possible. The point of this is that I dont really need advice on what to do with my S/O, constructive advise on HOW and WHAT to buy is a different story. And yes, that means that I am also taking responsibility to not be so lazy and to make myself something I know I SHOULD eat, and I can still make something that he will eat.

I've done this before, I know what I need to do and should be doing. He's not an excuse. I fully take the responsibility that I was lazy.

Christine_100

Hi- I'm starting again too and am having the similar challenge of cooking for just my husband and I now that the kids are never home. I am determined to get hime to eat what I eat- healthier. Have lots of weight to lose and looking for freinds if you're interested - add me.:happy:

JudithIsabel

I am restarting too! Best of luck to you!