New to the boards :)

x_marianne_x

Hi everyone

Been using MFP on & off to record food & exercise but ready to make an actual effort to keep on track.

I'm a size 14-16 & I'm happy with what I see in the mirror. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is, no matter how I feel about the outside, it doesn't necessarily mean it's all good on the inside. Heart disease, high cholestorol & diabetes are all present in older family members so I feel like I'm taking a bit of a gamble if I don't do something to change my life right now instead of waiting until it's too late to do anything about it.

I have 2 boys (5 & 2.5) & I want to set a good example. Their diets aren't exactly perfect, one of them is gradually growing out of his fussiness but it's taking time. As a family, we're pretty active. We walk most places & we enjoy running about outside together but really, it's not enough.

My only problem is, I love food. I love to cook & my life's ambition is to become a pastry chef (imagine my temptation around all the sweet treats!!) so I spend a large part of my day in the kitchen cooking. Our dinner times aren't too bad, I try to make sure we eat our veg & try to offer healthy alternatives & 6 days out of 7, it's a home cooked meal. But cooking for 8 people is a bit of a chalenge when it comes to choice. It's difficult to find a happy medium where everyone is happy to eat whatever is made. Most nights, I find myself making an alternative for at least 2 members of the household & unfortunately that happens to be something from the freezer.

Sorry for the essay but basically, I'm just looking for inspiration, support & somewhere to vent when things go a bit crap >_<

Marianne x