Need ideas and help

start with small changes and goals that you know you can accomplish. sometimes you can't jump into the deep end of the pool right away...you gotta get wet a little bit at a time. Are there things you can give up (like sodas, late night snacking) that wouldn't really be too hard and will make a difference in your weight loss? Likewise are there some little things you can do (walking at lunchtime, etc.)? I find that if I make changes in smaller steps then I get used to doing things differently but it doesn't feel like I've had to really change that much.

Also, try the recipe forum to find a few new ideas and try them out on your family. no one wants to eat healthy if it means boring, bland and tasteless...so if you can find some healthy alternatives that you like and the family likes then you don't have to make 2 meals (to which I would say eat what I made or go hungry).

I'm going to echo what the others said about family meals, if you're the one doing the cooking then they eat what's put in front of them. For the most part that is how it is around here, however my husband and I are doing this together so that makes it much easier. As for the kids, if I make a healthy meal they are expected to eat it, but some things I know they just won't eat (like the lentil chili we're having tonight) so they are having left over BBQ beef sandwiches from yesterday. I find its very helpful to spend a day cooking several healthy options and portioning them out and freezing it. That eliminates the need to cook two separate dinners, I can cook something for the kids and its just a matter of reheating whatever I am going to eat.

When you're used to eating what you want when you want everything becomes missing out when you want something and you're on a diet that says you can't have it. You have to basically get to the point when you look at your naked self in the mirror and say either "Suck it up buttercup" or "Quit making excuses". There's always a reason not to eat healthy. If you don't like making 2 meals a day for dinner, then one day a week make something super healthy for everyone but make enough to give you something to eat for the week as well. For me, I have a toaster convection oven (I am single so don't have to worry about others but this is simple), they are like 40-60 at the store. I chop up a potato, I go to Sam's/Costco get large bags of pre-trimmed chichen breast, I throw it all in the convection for about 20-25 minutes with a little homemade seasoning (or Durkee's Italian if I can find it lol) cook it all nice and crispy and eat. No oils, no fatty extra's. I used to do the same thing in the oven. Takes 20-25 there too. Only in the oven I used a pat of butter. While bad for you, it's not going to ruin your whole diet. And it's all in 1 pan.

Basically someone told me once (about smoking), "You have to want to quit, otherwise it won't work for you". It's the same thing about food and eating. You have to really just hit the point where you can't take anymore. When you do, you'll leave all reasoning at the refrigerator door.

I hope that gives you some motivation, something to think about and an idea of how easy it really can be to eat healthy.

Thanks. My problem is I know what I need to do to lose it, I just can't get my mind around doing it. I was eating the right amount of fiber but it wasn't helping me at all. I was miserable! And I am the type that when I have gas it just stays put and bloats and hurts me to the point that I can't function. So, what do you do for that? Yeah, I had lost weight but I was miserable doing it that I couldn't really enjoy it. So, is it better to limit my carbs and eat more protein (and no I am not talking about just sitting down to big slabs of fatty meat) or to try to go back to the low cal and see if I can adjust my diet? There are advantages to both ways. In a way I feel like I could eat more what my family eats when I am on low carb but then again you kinda miss out on some of the "extras" when you can't eat carbs. UGH!!! I always feel like I am in a battle with myself.

I know it needs to be a lifestyle change but I am having a very hard time making the commitment..... I guess what I need to know is how do I find that right balance to stay on track? I have zero willpower and when my family is eating the good stuff I can't resist.

I'm going to try a little tough love here. As I read through this it seems that your recognize the need for change but I don't think you've really embraced it. The first step in this journey is committment. You've got to think "I can, I will, I am committed" Instead you're saying "I'm having a hard time committing" and "I have zero willpower" and "I can't resist" .

I do recognize that this is tough. I, personally, am having to go through this step all over again, after having a few months where I found myself becoming unmotivated. I am beginning to embrace the fact that you have to "re-commit" every now and then.

1st step : begin to understand what is driving you and truely understand your eating habits. Don't change anything for the next week or two except journaling your food and drink and exercise. Be brutally honest. Then review it so that you can understand where you can make easy changes and where you will eventually have to make some tough changes. It's hard to make changes if you don't understand what needs to change.

2nd Step: write it down---I WILL ---and then list out the things you are going to do and post it on the refrigerator and on your bathroom mirror (or wherever else you're likely to look at it throughout the day---I keep one on my bulletin board at work. Write it all in present tense "I will, I can, I am". Set some mini goals and your long term goal and write them as if you've already succeeded.

Next: Make small changes weekly. Week one might be to drink water and eat more veggies. Week two might be to switch to whole grains rather than white bread/pasta/rice. And begin reducing your calories a little bit at a time.

Example: Let's say that you find out that you've been averaging about 2500 calories a day but your new goal is to eat 1400 calories a day. Cut down a little bit at a time. For the first week cut 200 calories a day. Next week add another 100 or 200 calories until you've gotten down to your goal. That way it won't be such a shock, you can make little changes as you go.

Also, this will give you time to begin transitioning your family. They are going to have bigger issues if you suddenly go from cooking chicken fried steak, hash browns and gravy to a grilled chicken breast and salad. But if you make the changes slowly, they might not even notice a lot of the changes. If you're the cook in the family, the internet has a wealth of really tasty/healthy/ low cal meals. I have a subscription to Cooking Light and most of that stuff would never even be mistaken for "diet" food.

Also, I agree with the other posts....if you're the primary chef, the family can eat what you cook or have cereal. My mother would laugh herself silly at the thought of cooking seperate meals. And, Banks is absolutely right.....you don't really have to make major changes to your eating style other than practice portion control.

Good luck