Trying to loose weight on an already tight schedule.

charityheckler

Hi, I am 27 yrs old, 5"9, and I currently weigh around 195 lbs.

At the begining of 2010 I was at approximately 230 lbs or more. In the summer, as I prepped for a military deployment, I began to loose weight for the first time in a long time, but it was slow, over a year time I had lost 30lbs and maintained it well. In January 2011, now back home, a friend pointed out that I was starting to gain again, so I got my butt in gear and lost an additional 30lbs in six months or less. I was so proud of myself, but decided it was time to maintain 170lbs for the moment because I had begun to loose weight very quickly and it concerned me. At that point in my life I was single, and had nothing but time on my hands and no one to answer to but me.

All that has changed. Last year I met the man of dreams, who has two beautiful children that I love dearly. We bought a house and I have begun going back to school.

So here is my dilema, in the past year between busy schedules and living with a family who all have high metabolisms, I have gained some weight back. My fiance can eat 10lbs of candy, two loaves a bread and 3 square meals a day, never gain an ounce, and still be hungry. The kids are not far behind him either.

I am working a full time job during the day and going to school. We have plenty of things we have to do with the brand new house, plus the kids. How can I eat a filling low calorie meal and provide sufficient growing food for my family, in a short amount of time?

bethhyg

I completely understand. We are a family of five and I know what it means to be on a tight budget. I do not cook a separate meal for myself. I eat what they are eating. If we have a pizza night out on Fridays. I now eat 1 slice of pizza and maybe a cofee cup full of coke or a diet coke, instead of 2 slices of pizza,2 or 3 bread sticks and a 2 or 3 glassfuls of coke. I eat exactly the same kind of foods I did before, I just eat ALOT less of them now. I have lost 15 pounds in 10 weeks due to moderation. If you can afford it, buy some extra things just for you at the grocery store. You don't have to make drastic changes in your shopping. Just start adding some healthy things in. It will make a difference.

lemasney

I am working a full time job during the day and going to school. We have plenty of things we have to do with the brand new house, plus the kids. How can I eat a filling low calorie meal and provide sufficient growing food for my family, in a short amount of time?

I think you're doing the right thing by using a tool like MFP. I would suggest that you use your weekend time to cook or prepare and portion meals for the week for yourself. If you don't have time for that, wHy not consider frozen meals -- portion controlled, calories are near accurate, and they usually cook in 5 minutes or less. The kids and house will help you to stay in shape, since they tend to require energy. I wish you the best of luck, and thanks for your service to our country.

cyclerjenn

I spend my sunday cooking for the week. I make breakfast, lunches, snacks and dinners for the whole week and put then in tupperware then all I need to do is heat them up and server, even the kids can microwave them while I'm getting in my workout. It helps me stay on track with my meal plan since i'm not mindlessly looking for something to eat.

charityheckler

Thank you all, you are very encouraging!