Husband & Wife lose weight while kids eat normal - HOW?

agieseke74

My husband and I are both overweight and are earnestly trying to lose weight - albeit we're off to a rough start. However, we are in planning mode for our meals and trying to get what we need, while on a very restricted budget (husband has been out of work for over a year now). We have two small kids - ages 5 and 1 year. We need to restrict our calories at different rates from each other, and yet need to make sure our kids get what they need. In other words, I am not into having my kids eat lesser calories (one of them already has a genetic issue causing weight gain problems).

How have others worked around this? For example, I need about 1300 calories a day while my husband needs around 1800. We don't have the ability to make a whole bunch of separate meals. What have others done to make this work in their home and lives?

I'm feeling overwhelmed and ignorant of how to do all this. And I'm trying to take it one step at a time. I appreciate any feedback. Please don't think I'm rude, but the earlier comment about my child's genetic issue is not up for discussion on this. We are seeing specialists to help out in that arena.

Thank you!

QuietBloom

IMO, everyone can eat the same foods. It all comes down to portion control. Be sure everyone is getting plenty of protein. If the kids are drinking whole milk, so can you, just less of it and it can go partly toward your fat macro (as a quick example).

SugaryLynx

I just eat the same things as my kids. Just portion control. Weight loss is calories in vs out, so there's no need for special "diet" foods etc. Just make sure you're getting proper nutrients, which would be the same goal for kids. Also, a good read

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

martinel2099

There's no reason why you and you're kids can't eat the same foods. For example, if the kids want pizza tonight go ahead and order it up. Instead of having 4-5 slices of pizza yourself, why not just 2 with a side of veggies. I can personally eat 4-5 slices no problem, but I'll enjoy it just the same as long as I get at least 1-2 slices in.

farfromthetree

IMO, everyone can eat the same foods. It all comes down to portion control. Be sure everyone is getting plenty of protein. If the kids are drinking whole milk, so can you, just less of it and it can go partly toward your fat macro (as a quick example).

^This is it exactly! Don't make your life more difficult by making separate meals. It's hard sometimes to eat smaller portions when your husband will be able to eat more but, it gets easier...especially when you begin to see results! GOod luck!

cwolfman13

You have to realize that it's not what you are eating so much as how much you are eating. Your portions have to be appropriate for you...your husband's portions have to be appropriate for him...you kids' portions have to be appropriate for them. A lot of this is simply about proper portion control.

blakedebo

I agree with the above posters, my kids (ages 2 and 4) and husband, all eat the same meals as I do- just in differing portions.

Flutterloo

My husband, kids, and I all have different needs. We all eat the same stuff, in different amounts.

Why do you feel that you need to change what everyone eats? Is it all stuff that is really bad for you?

fivethreeone

MAGIC!





















Seriously, OP, to lose weight, just eat less of the same food.

spmcavoy1

I agree with pp - it all comes down to portion control. If your husband needs 500 more calories per day, he can have an extra snack in the morning and afternoon.

When it comes to your kids, it's all about portion control for them also .

Take a meal - seasoned and baked chicken with rice, green beans, and a side salad.

You get: 4oz chicken breast, 1/3 cup rice, 1/2 cup green beans (no butter), and 2-4 cups of salad with a low-calorie vinaigrette. Water to drink.
Husband gets: 5-6 oz chicken breast, 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup green beans, and 2-4 cups of salad with a low-calorie vinaigrette. Water to drink.
5 year old gets - 2-4 oz chicken breast, 1/3 -1/2 cup rice. 1/3-1/2 cup green beans. 11/2-2 cups salad with dressing of their choosing (hey, salad is a great thing to introduce kids to!). Water, milk, or 100% juice to drink.

1 year old - some chicken cut up, some green beans and maybe some other easy-to-eat carbohydrate (if they feed themselves).


Be sure to MEASURE. MEASURE. MEASURE. This will be key!

Alehmer

Son is 5, he eats as we do. Always has, loves his veggies, eggs, etc. I admit it would be MUCH harder to change a set bad food diet, but you're only doing them a favor by doing it now.

_mlee_

^yup, all of those posts. I have a 5 and 7 year old and husband who is getting in shape and we all eat the same thing. Just try to make healthy home cooked meals. You can eat everything that you usually eat just smaller portions. Good Luck

maidentl

We all eat the same thing. Last night I made chicken parmesan. I weighed my chicken, measured my pasta and sauce and made my plate. Then I mixed the remaining sauce and pasta together and every one else ate as they wished.

jstout365

We eat like the three bears. I make one meal. Husband gets the larger portion, I get what I need, and the kiddo gets the smallest portion that fits him.

ImSoOTired

I eat the same foods I always have. Sure, I cut out some snacking but the key is portion control. I weigh and measure everything I eat and keep it within my daily calorie allowance. Dinner is the only meal we eat together. My husband is not dieting with me so he just eats whatever we're having for dinner without measuring his out and my daughter is just a toddler so she can just eat regular baby portions as always. If I eat any 'diet' foods it'll be at lunch time. Everything else is in moderation and 100% everyday foods. I hesitate now and again making certain things but those are days I just workout more or cut back on a snack or something. No need to make separate menus for each of us.

ETA I know it can be hard to get the hang of it, but you will and things will go great. I suggest cutting out snacking on junk and just eat your foods as you have but watching portions. I don't go all out and buy diet foods but when I do give them to my child from time to time. Low calorie hot dogs, etc. I figure she is little and needs less calories anyway and I make sure she drinks her milk and has her vitamin everyday. She has a meat and veggie for lunch and dinner, a grain for breakfast, and fruit twice a day, and a snack here and there when needed. She is gaining weight just fine. If you are concerned about your child's weight as his/her pediatrician what they suggest for their diet.

Achrya

You eat less of XX

Kids eat slightly more than you of XX

Husband eats slightly more than kids of XX.


Bam. Problem solved.

F00LofaT00K

IMO, everyone can eat the same foods. It all comes down to portion control. Be sure everyone is getting plenty of protein. If the kids are drinking whole milk, so can you, just less of it and it can go partly toward your fat macro (as a quick example).

^^Absolutely! I haven't changed the kinds of foods I eat very much, if at all, and I have lost over 40lbs since October. The key is really paying attention to your macros (fat, protein, carb) and learning to eat smaller portions and look the cupcake dead in the eyes and say "I can always have you tomorrow instead." You can likely even eat more than 1300 calories and he can likely eat more than 1800 depending on how overweight you both are and your activity levels. Eat the foods you like and eat enough so your stomach isn't grumbling so it won't be more difficult that it has to be to lose weight.

EDIT: Check out my diary for today: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/F00LofaT00K

You'll see that I had something with bacon, some butterfinger, full fat cream cheese. Yesterday I had sugar and whole milk in my coffee, milky way and real, full fat cheese. Sunday I had a pretzel sandwich from a fast food place and some carrot cake. There's a real problem with changing a diet too much while losing weight and it's that once they reach their goal weight, most people don't want to keep eating diet foods. They miss REAL food that they actually enjoy, they give in, binge, feel like they failed then proceed to gain all the weight back. Find something you can do for the rest of your life.

Me2FitMe

- one entree/protein item
- one veggie
- carb filled side (which I may or may not have based on my cals amounts)

in the end... we all eat the same items

agieseke74

It's not that I want to make separate meals, it just seemed it was leaning that way, or so I thought. This is our first earnest effort into changing what and how we eat. We're trying to cut out the bad, build up the good, and set an example for our kids. I was afraid I was going to have to do a lot of low-cal, low-carb, other restrictions for us and try to do something different for the kids. But as I am seeing from all the other posts, that's not the case. I really appreciate the advice. I'm not feeling quite as overwhelmed as before.

emily356

We all eat the same here as well. Especially for dinner. Meat and sides. I keep it really simple. The only problem I can think of is if ya'll are used to eating lots of convenience foods. They tend to be really high in calories, but if you are like me, you'll be hungry again really soon. That's why I try to do protein at every meal. My kids don't usually have protein at breakfast. Their typical is oatmeal, or whole wheat toast with almond butter, some fruit, and nuts on the side. They are getting more fat than me, but that's ok.:) They also eat more sandwiches for lunch than I do. I usually eat leftovers. I like to make big batches when I cook, it helps me out tremendously. It will be trial and error for awhile till you get a new routine. Also, if your kids haven't been eating the best, this is the perfect time to get them on a healthier path.

jennifer_a00

I make 1 meal for my family every night, and have lost weight anyways. Last night it was spaghetti, with garlic bread. I weight out my food, and logged it in my diary, didn't have any garlic bread (even though I usually have some of that too), and gave my kids and husband their usual portions. I love to cook and make tons of different casseroles, meat dishes, soups etc, and have just basically adjusted my portions. Oh yeah, the only other thing I have really changed is adding more veggie sides In with my meals. You don't have to eat different to lose weight! And it's probably not sustainable to make a whole bunch of large food changes at once anyway.

thavoice

My husband and I are both overweight and are earnestly trying to lose weight - albeit we're off to a rough start. However, we are in planning mode for our meals and trying to get what we need, while on a very restricted budget (husband has been out of work for over a year now). We have two small kids - ages 5 and 1 year. We need to restrict our calories at different rates from each other, and yet need to make sure our kids get what they need. In other words, I am not into having my kids eat lesser calories (one of them already has a genetic issue causing weight gain problems).

How have others worked around this? For example, I need about 1300 calories a day while my husband needs around 1800. We don't have the ability to make a whole bunch of separate meals. What have others done to make this work in their home and lives?

I'm feeling overwhelmed and ignorant of how to do all this. And I'm trying to take it one step at a time. I appreciate any feedback. Please don't think I'm rude, but the earlier comment about my child's genetic issue is not up for discussion on this. We are seeing specialists to help out in that arena.

Thank you

Um.

Eat the same foods but just less of them to stay under your calories.

Weight loss for most people is not rocket science and I think people make it too complicated with exclusions, rules, etc.

There is no reason you cannot lose weight and eat normal food.

PinkCupcakes84

Same as above posts. I eat the same foods as my husband and kids, just less of it. If they what something like fried fish for example, I'll fry theirs and bake my piece. It's not costing us any more for me to prepare my food a little differently.

agieseke74

Wow! I was not prepared for the number of responses! I'm blown away and so grateful. Sound advice from all of you, and I wish this thing had a "Like" button (similar to FB) so I could hit it for all of you. I will be sure to reach out again the next time I have stumbling block. You are all serving as my inspiration while I get started on this journey. Looking forward to more fun conversations in the future!

budobo

IMO, everyone can eat the same foods. It all comes down to portion control. Be sure everyone is getting plenty of protein. If the kids are drinking whole milk, so can you, just less of it and it can go partly toward your fat macro (as a quick example).

This. When my parents went on a diet (I was in middle school), we ended up eating no pasta/rice with dinner and just meat/veggies instead. Turns out, I didn't miss the carbs at all.

Calories are from portions, and nutrition is from what you're eating.

Everyone, diet or not, should eat things that are good for them.

Dieters just need to watch calories.

CA_Underdog

We eat like the three bears. I make one meal. Husband gets the larger portion, I get what I need, and the kiddo gets the smallest portion that fits him.

Precisely! Typically I serve one meat, one carb, and two vegetables. All that varies are the portions.

DavPul

Daddy gets the big piece of chicken, you get the small piece, the kids get the wings and legs. The amount of rice matches the size of the chicken in the plate. Same veggies for all.

Hiker_Rob

My kids are a little older than that but... We do not make much of a change between what I eat and what my wife and kids eat. Portion size is a big factor, I really believe in moderation as the way to loose, not depriving ones self. When i didn't care, i would often eat more than one portion of food, most often 2, sometimes 3, now I control what I eat and keep it to what I need (funny thing is I don't actually have to 'control' it any more, i instinctively know what I should be eating and stick to that). We have veggies and salads at the table all the time, my wife and kids will have some of that but do eat more of the pastas, potatoes etc, I am the opposite, more veggies and salads, less of the other stuff.

Teaching your kids at a young age to have better eating habits is important too, genetics often says that if the parents are overweight, the kids will often be prone to that too - not saying that it will happen - the odds are just more stacked more against them, our family would be a good example of that.
I am hoping that some of the benefits my kids get from this (or rub off on them) is:
You don't need junk food around all the time, but it's still fine to have it from time to time
Healthy eating is not that hard and can be very flavorful
Fast food should be a treat not a staple
Everything is good in moderation, we must learn how to exercise control.
Exercise is not just for loosing weight, it is also to keep fit and healthy - daily exercise is important

mitch16

This is how we eat in my house--my husband and I watch what we eat and we have a 13-year-old son who is underweight. Dinner is usually grilled meat or fish and a vegetable for everyone, and a carb (brown rice/potatoes/pasta) for my son only. I always make sure my portion of veggies is bigger than my protein, or I add a big green salad to help fill me up.

Even things like tacos (which my son loves) are easy to modify--instead of having a shell, I make a salad with lots of lettuce and tomatoes, a little meat, a little cheese, and a lot of pico instead of dressing.

bcattoes

I agree to just serving food for the family. You eat until you meat your calories, your husband does the same, your kids eat whatever they need to eat.

If you and your husban want to add a salad to your meal, or skip the bread, or whatever, then do it. If you want squash or tofu noodles instead of pasta, then have it. It's not necessary for you all to eat exactly the same things, but it's not really unnecessary either.

Families have sat together at a table of food for many generations without every member eating the exact same foods or portions of foods.

ChantalGG

you dont need to buy special diet foods, eat real food and avoid deep frying and breading it all. you take what you need and so does everyone else. Have a good portion of veggies to eat to fill you up if your still hungry because you are used to a larger portion of starches.