Started Working and Gaining Weight

kenziest

Hi, I am feeling hopeless. I started a full-time job 2.5 months ago (after 11 years of being a SAHM to 4 kids). Weight loss has always been a struggle since my 1st pregnancy, but I could manage to slowly lose if I did 2 or 3 hours of cardio a day. Now that I have less time and energy to exercise, I've been gaining an average of a pound a week since working. 12 lbs total so far. And I started out obese.

I eat less than ever, skipping breakfast on weekdays because it's too gross to eat early in the morning. Lunch is either carrot sticks or celery because I don't like to work on a full stomach. Dinner hasn't changed - - some sort of grain and vegetable. I don't like the taste and texture of meat. Dessert is a chocolate bar with either yogurt, fruit or cheese.

My exercise has been about nil since the first week of starting this job. I tried to maintain some of my old cardio routine, but ended up with very painful feet, ankles, and knees. I'm on my feet, walking and standing for most of the workday. By the time I get out of work I'm more hobbling than walking, so exercise outside of work has become very minimal. Plus with 4 kids and a husband who all depend on me to do household chores etc, I'm literally nonstop busy until 9 pm or so every week day night.

I am trying to lift weights at least. Not a lot of weight because of old back injuries, but I thought it'd be a step in the right direction?

Is there anyone who's been in my situation? Do you see anything else that I can do to stop the weight gain?

Thanks for anyone reading this. Didn't mean to write a book.

kiwitechgirl

I would say that you need to track your food - you're clearly eating more than you burn, there is no other way to put weight on. Start out by just tracking for a week, don't alter your eating at all, but start by weighing and measuring everything and logging accurately. Then you'll get an idea of where you're at and what you need to change.

ladynocturne

If what you are saying is completely correct, you are THAT active and appear to be taking in a very reasonable amount of calories, I would get yourself to a doctor to do some thyroid tests. I can only take your word for your current lifestyle, but you should not be actively gaining fat if it is true.

I would be good also also measure/weigh and track your food as the post above indicated, just to be sure you're not mistakenly eating more than you believe.

kiwitechgirl

Also, you appear to be eating almost no protein, which is a very important part of your diet. It might be an idea to find ways to include much more.

kenziest

Okay, I'm going to make a strong effort to log my food here every day. Logged today's food. Calorie intake is okay I think at 1,227. Protein was at 37 grams. I thought that was a fair amount, but the tracker here says my goal should be 90 grams. That seems like a whole lot and I wouldn't know how to manage that much more protein. If it's important, I'll start out by trying to get in at least 50 grams a day. Or in a week from now. I'll do just the logging food for a week without making changes to my usual diet to get a better idea of my average intake. I know weekends must be more calories than the weekdays because I'm at home and am able to eat more.

Thanks for the input! I feel better. Like now I have something to aim for (logging my food) and will soon have a starting point for where to go next with my dieting

froggiebecky

Tracking what you're currently doing for a week would be a good approach. Then it's easier to see where you can tweak your diet.
And my first answer was going to be: yes, you need more protein. You mentioned that you don't like meat. Are you vegetarian, then? Eggs are a great source of protein, as is tuna (not sure what you're counting as meat here). There's also lots of other non-meat sources of protein…Quinoa and amaranth over in the grains, Greek yoghurt, cottage cheese, milk (if you can tolerate dairy). Nuts, but they come with fat attached, which you may or may not need more of.

kenziest

I'm not vegetarian. I eat the occasional meat. It's just not one of my favorite foods. I do like certain types of fish, but unfortunately the ones I like are the pricer ones. Thinking about that now motivates me to kick my chocolate habit. More money for fish!