Am I doing decent enough?

thisisforever21

I just joined MFP about 3 weeks ago and I have made MAJOR changes to my diet. I went from eating fast food about 5 times a week, to about once or twice and week. I was probably eating 2-3k calories a day of really unhealthy foods. Now I try to keep my calories right at my BMR and eat back my exercise calories.

I know I'm not eating perfectly clean, but I just wanted some input if I am doing okay considering such a huge life change.

Also, I quit smoking as well. It's been about 3 and a half weeks now.

Oh, one last thing, I work in hospice so I spend 80% of my day driving from one patient to the next. I have a hard time being able to eat extremely healthy while in the car all the time.

junipuni

Sounds like you have made a lot of positive changes! I know how difficult it can be having a schedule like that. I am in a different line of work but the same issues of driving to different clients and it is a lot harder fitting in a healthy eating routine. Smoothies have helped as a way to have a healthy breakfast on the go. I just make a big batch ahead of time and freeze them. I keep my food for the day in a little cooler/lunch box and that helps. It requires more planning, but it's worth it.

chanson104

Great changes!! Don't put too much pressure to make too many changes to quick. You don't want to get frustrated and give up. Remember that this needs to be a lifestyle change -- you have the rest of your life to keep making improvements. I have never had a job that required me to travel like you do, but I have a friend that does and she makes up 100 calorie baggies of her favorite snacks that she can grab and go. Eating healthy doesn't have to be complex; it just takes a little planning. You can do this!!

2getgeorge

congrats on stopping smoking!!!

Yes you are doing ok. its not a 50 yard dash. baby steps in the right direction. first change your habits, work to meet your goals, live life and be happy.

if you have a smart phone download the restaurant nutrition app. It lists almost all big chain fast food joints and food info. so you can make better fast food choices.

amnsetie

your diary looks great.
keep it up.

kdeaux1959

With that type of job, I'd set my activity level to sedentary. I would also incorporate exercise. You have made some major life changes and I really hope that it is making you feel much better. The original question has to do with is this "good enough". My question here is "are you seeing results"... If not, then you need to do more. If you are seeing the results you desire, then yes...

Also, there are some choices that are better than others when eating fast foods. Research the menus out when you have to eat out like that. For instance, if I eat @ Wendy's or Sonic... My choice is usually Grilled chicken sandwich... If you go to McDonalds, you may have to eat fast food that day but it don't have to be a 3/4 pounder with bacon.... Best wishes on continuing your lifestyle change. It sounds as though you are going in the right direction.

cheesy_blasters

I think that sounds amazing! Frankly I consider those some big changes so you should be proud of yourself!

Congrats!

Serenstar75

Packing lunches has been a life saver for me. If you can use an ice pack to help keep it cool enough in the car, I love sandwiches (I'm not on the no carb thing obviously) and love fruit and veggies when I can get them. They're very portable. So are things like Greek yogurt and nuts. You're making a ton of positive changes. I'd say you're doing awesome.

thisisforever21

Thanks everyone. I have quit smoking before and I gained 35lbs in about a year from doing so. Then I ended up starting again, losing a bunch of weight and then putting some back on when I got married. I knew I wanted to quit smoking again, and I knew I needed to eat a more healthy diet, so I figured it was best to do both at once, that way I could hopefully avoid the weight gain.

As far as the diet, when I eat fast food, it's usually Taco Bell. That's my weakness. I usually only eat 2 soft shell tacos for 400 cals total, but I know it's still bad for you.

Instead of buying mostly boxed products now, I have been buying mostly fresh fruits, veggies, etc and buying a lot more from the organic section. This is the first time in my life I have ever shopped in that section!

I feel like I'm doing good, but I am also doing this as a lifestyle change so I'm not trying to lose weight quickly. I want to lose it slow and steady and keep it off. So I'm doing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day (right now doing 30DS, on level 2 day 3) and keeping my net calories at my BMR. I haven't lost any weight yet, but I feel so much better already.

jaireed

Good for you! Quitting smoking is tough. Way to kick butt! I gained weight when I quit too last year. Wonderful choices and changes you made! You are smart to think about it as a life change instead of a diet. This way it will stick. I know taco bell has lower fat options, unless you really like your tacos, then it may be something you could eat for a treat. I have peeked at your diary and its lookin good. Great work outs too. I say you are more than decent enough! You are doing fabulously! I recommend finding fruit you like. I am always running around between college and the elementary school and I found fruit is great to have. I have oranges in my car and carry them in my purse. They are great for the times you're so hungry you could eat your arm off! I also find greek yogurt with frozen fruit in it awesome for lunches. The frozen fruit keeps the yogurt cold. You seem to be on the right track! Keep it up!

Robin_Bin

Congratulations! Both on starting to eat healthier and on quitting smoking. That's a lot to take on, but it's great!

A small wide-mouth soup-type thermos might help. As well as keeping something like soup warm, it can also keep something like grapes and strawberries cold. A small cooler and some ice packs that you can leave in the car might be good too.

As you already know, some things travel more easily than others, but with a cooler, you can carry an apple or some vegetable sticks, a sandwich, a bagel, some peanut butter, ice or cold water, some cottage cheese, a slice of high fiber bread... try a variety of things and see what works for you. A cooler or icepack expands your choices... because even if there's nothing healthy nearby you can at least have a healthy snack until you drive to the next location. Check online restaurant and nutrition guides, if your other constraints make it hard to take your meals with you. Find something at a few of the bigger chains that works for you at least occasionally.

Jeffdoc started an excellent list of snacks (both healthy and not so healthy) which others have added to and I've captured for re-use in a blog posting: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Robin_Bin/view/snacks-of-100-calories-or-less-267198

Good luck!