Hello and help me please!

jpace00

Hi, I'm Jon. Any help anyone can provide me would be greatly appreciated!

I'm 31 years old, 5'9" and about 193lbs. Before coming here I dropped down from 215 by just cutting down my portions and running 2-3 times per week. Then I stalled, stopped working out and paying attention to food for about a month before deciding to get serious. Goal: 180ish with abs that show (I have a big build; when I played soccer in high school and had 10% body fat I was about 165 and I am more muscular now) I run 3-6 miles about 2-3 times a week, lift usually twice a week and abs about 2-3 times per week (I just started lifting and abs so I wait for my muscles to repair before going again) and I also usually golf twice a week. I have an active job, moving boxes, walking 4-5 miles a day, on my feet and moving all day long. I have a very irregular schedule, nights weekends, different days off, long days. I fit workouts in as best I can on a schedule but sometimes I am forced to skip a day.

Here are the three things I am looking for help / advice with:

1) I am having a hard time with diet. For one I run fast food restaurants and have to eat the food at times. I try to limit it to a bite here and there so I mostly eat very little on a daily basis. Also, because of my odd workout schedule, some days I severely under eat and feel like I'm starving (which generally leads to me eating something bad). I also am short on time and have a hard time preparing which often leads to bad food choices. Really I just need some diet advice.

2) Site help. This site is an incredible source of information but it is also a little bit of an overload. If anyone can point me to anything they feel is important that I should start with before I get into it all.

3) Insert your advice here. Any good advice or anything that helps you or you feel would help me please share!

KCHernandez1981

Sounds to me like you need to take 20 minutes or so one day a week and plan your week. Plan your work, your excersize, sleep, and even what you are going to eat when. Then you will have stuff to eat that you want to eat it. Look for both things that you can eat in little time like oatmeal or meatballs, or that you can make and freeze for later. I make a huge pan of meatloaf and it can last me a week to week and a half, eatjng it once or twice a day...

DaveneGfit

You sound like your on the right track! I work in the food industry as well and am around food that I shouldn't be eating. What has really helped me is packing food for when I am at work so that I won't be tempted. Also the key is to eating as many whole foods as possible while cutting out processed food. Calorie counting can only work for so long, but your body needs fuel and proper nutrients especially if you are working out regularly. I think sometimes we just tend to over complicate things because of all the fad diets that have come out over the years. In reality it's just about getting back to basics.

Kanzaki3

I have a big bag of almonds which I go to if I have the urge to snack on to something. Sometimes before leaving the house, I bring my tub of protein with me and leave it inside the car. I used to always keep a tub of protein in the car. Sometimes I don't have time to eat and I just drink a protein shake while driving. I also add in some oats into my protein shake and make it a meal. It's pretty tasty. I know how time consuming it can be with preparing meals. Sometimes I pack a simple meal of a few rice cakes and a container of greek yogurt. I throw in a banana as well if I have any left. There's also Subway that I turn to sometimes.

jpace00

@kchernandez19 - The biggest problem I have with this is I have an ever changing schedule. I might be off and have to work or I might think I'm working 8 hours and end up working 14. I try to make a plan but it seems like I can never stick to it.

@musicgal86 - That's what I've been doing, bringing lunches. I end up eating a lot of simple stuff, pb&j, tuna salad, salad, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, etc. But it helps. My biggest concern is some days when I work out I'm actually running negative amounts of calories then some days I go way over my goal. I guess its an issue with discipline and bad choices.

jpace00

oats in protein shake? Ive never heard of that before. I have protein shakes for breakfast often (I'm not a morning person) so I'll have to try that.

PikaKnight

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

Ophidion

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1105036-article-on-flexible-dieting-by-armi-legge?page=1#posts-17068746

QFT^ and this will also help you navigate the terminology used on here frequently...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1069278-acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6

jpace00

Thanks everyone. I'll start with that and get into the site a little more. Then I'll get into the forums and go from there.