This is why I'm fat

fiberartist219

Drink lots of water, make sure you get enough nutrition (like fiber and protien) and give it some time. I don't know what all has changed in me over the last year, but my appetite has dropped significantly. A year ago, I would eat 2300 calories in a day if I didn't restrict. Lately, I eat around 1500 calories and don't feel hungry. The worst part is the first few weeks, but it does get easier!

IronmanPanda

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/360696-if-you-re-a-fan-of-crockpot-cheeseburgers?page=11#posts-9984313

carmie12345

Fresh produce can seem like alot of money but it depends how you use it. You should take a look at the processed foods you have and ask yourself can you easily make these yourself. Like soup. It might seem cheaper to buy cans of soup. But realize when you are making soup (or any recipe) from scratch the end quantity is much greater and lasts much longer (therefore making it much cheaper or at least comparable in the long run).

taramaureen

I always "save" some cals for a small sweet late night snack. Lately it's been 4-5 hershey kisses.

FlaxMilk

I wouldn't start out too aggressively, but I would start by telling your husband how hard this is for you and ask him to make a switch into less processed food with you. (I haven't read your diary, but I agree that for some people many very processed foods can be addicting and not have much satiety.)

If your husband refuses, I would tell him that you are going to take a portion of the grocery budget for you and only you. Remember that frozen and canned fruits and veggies still count as healthy (but rinse the canned to get rid of some sodium and don't buy the ones packaged in syrup. Personally, I hate canned veggies, but many people love them.) Then, cook your meals for yourself, for a portion of one, and let your husband make his own food for himself and your son. There is no reason you should be a short order cook. Let them know when you go to cook your dinner that you are happy to make enough for everyone so long as they speak up right now.

Your son is not really a factor in the above. If your husband is on board, he can eat what is served or spend his own money on the other food.

gracia124

People have suggested to stop watching TV and I agree that it would be a good idea to limit it. I love to watch TV, but I've noticed the commercials and what people are eating on TV are what subconsciously make me hungry. Seeing pizza, fast food, chain restaurant dishes, etc. makes me want to eat.

elisa123gal

Find an Aldi grocery store in your area. The prices are so much cheaper for fresh lettuce and vegetables..trust me. Also drink hot herbal tea at night when you watch t.v.. that is what I do. I'd also eat a hard boiled egg white if you are really crazy hungry. It works and is so low in calories.

caraiselite

you said you would love a hobby.

learn to knit or crochet. it keeps your hands busy, and is very cheap. yarn is like 1-5 bucks a skein for the cheaper quality stuff to learn on, hooks/needles are only a few bucks too (or free is you have an aunt/mom/grandmother with spares!!)
there is tons of videos on youtube so you can learn without spending money on books and there's tons of free patterns too.

i taught myself knitting and crocheting last christmas and i love it. i crochet while i walk in place and watch tv =] i just think it looks cleaner than knitting.

anyway, it's something you might like!

pmcco

at work I always want something sweet after lunch. I found having a nice crystal light gives me the sweet I crave without the calories. Also, agree that eating healthier is not more expensive. Meals based on lean protein and rice and side veg are not more than the prebreaded and prepared stuff at all. And as far as justifying the cost of spending money on healthy food.... dang girl... chang your mindset.... YOU ARE WORTH IT!

rdeluz

I know it is really hard but, veggies are cheaper then packaged food. I deal with the same thing in my family. If that's what you have you just have to have a firm "no food after 8" rule. Drink water, eat a apple and you will feel full.Good luck.

AllDIVA

Special K crisps are sweet. 100 calories and 20 carbs. I deal with the same thing every single night. Prayer helps. sometimes. Drinking water. leave a few extra calories for later. go to bed earlier. keep a journal about how you are feeling and why. My trainer says get a hobby. That hasn't happened yet. thin about it this way... Some men when they think about getting married they think about what they are giving up.. like many times we do when changing our eating habits. Think about what you are gaining by changing your eating habits... I is hard but doable!

nerdieprofessor

I'm a little disappointed that almost every single reply on here has to do with eating food and reinforcing the behavior. I stick to my earlier comments about habit correction...

The concept of food in bed gets me. I never have hunger in bed because bed is not a place I associate with food (or TV watching).

Maybe the OP should stop watching TV in bed, change up some no food things...

leilaphoenix

Where is the fruit, and veg, and protein in your diet? You are eating so much packaged food - try making some things yourself?

azalais7

While I think the posters who have said you should change your habits are absolutely right, the types of foods you eat ARE a habit in and of themselves, and frankly I think a more significant one than watching TV in bed (though there's great reasons not to do that, too).

I think someone else mentioned that they try to eat fewer calories at lunch to save up for the evening. Looking at your food diary, that is definitely what you should be doing--you eat over half your day's calories at lunch currently, and that doesn't leave you much for the evening when you already know you're going to be hungry. And yes, as everyone else has said, you need to swap out the processed stuff.

BUT--don't necessarily feel like you have to change everything all at once. Small changes--creating new habits--can often be more effective. Focus on one food change at a time--eat carrots instead of those french fries with your burger, for example. Work on that for a week, then make another small change.

Penguinboyt

Buy this scale (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B003N4AVKE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) and get your husband to talk all his numbers. I bought this for my wife (she told me she wanted it, I'm not that stupid) but when it came in I tried it out and within 5 minutes I was on our Precor Elliptical and starting my first real diet in years. Men have the ability to down play everything until they are presented with cold hard facts

JenniferNoll

For people with a limitied budget looking for healthier ways to eat: I found a website called Hillbilly Housewife, which has a page called Healthy Hillbilly Housewife. I found lots of recipe ideas for hearty filling food with lower cal options. It does tend to use a certain amount of processed foods, but if someone is looking to take baby steps, it could be helpful. It also has nutritional information for each recipe.

sssygirl

Stop making excuses for why you are eating processed and junky food. If you really want to be healthier..change your habits.

Buy real food..make meals from scratch..if your family doesn't like it..tell them they can make their own dinner.

Also buy healthy snacks for you and your kids..I would think as a mom you would want to make sure they have the best possible life..healthy life.

I also find the processed foods have less amounts in them so you really are not spending less money..
Oatmeal
Eggs
Rice
veggies
Pasta
Lean meat
Beans -have a couple meatless meals through out the week it will save money

Also as another poster said..check out the last chance for the produce and meat...even if they are a little over ripe..you can either cook them or put them in something. Freeze the fruit and use it for smoothies or in Oatmeal.

Good Luck..don't give up!