I have 12 kids & can't out exercise a bad diet.

jennajocummings
jennajocummings Posts: 104
in Food and Nutrition
I'm really struggling with my eating. I think their are several factors involved. I have 12 children so I am constantly running out of food and don't always have time to get to the store. Plus, 8 of my kids are adopted and have varying degrees of special needs. I have a son with 1/2 heart who needs a transplant, another who was shaken at birth and has a whole host of problems, and a daughter with epilepsy, & cerebral palsy... and others with more minor issues. I am constantly driving down town for DR appointments. (Phoenix is an hour away) I eat waaaay too much fast food. I have been trying to be healthier about eating out but I have plateaued for about a month now. My sodium is out of control. I do 500-600 minutes of cardio and lift HEAVY 3-5 times a week. I figured out that I can not out exercise a bad diet. I think I need someone/thing to say... Eat this for breakfast... Eat this for lunch... etc. I really have 50 lbs to lose to be comfortable even though it shows more on my "goal weight" ticker. Anyone have any suggestions for diet plans? I was thinking Body for Life or maybe the diet plan from P90X or something or maybe even Weight Watchers... Thanks in advance. =)

Replies

  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    I'm really struggling with my eating. I think their are several factors involved. I have 12 children so I am constantly running out of food and don't always have time to get to the store. Plus, 8 of my kids are adopted and have varying degrees of special needs. I have a son with 1/2 heart who needs a transplant, another who was shaken at birth and has a whole host of problems, and a daughter with epilepsy, & cerebral palsy... and others with more minor issues. I am constantly driving down town for DR appointments. (Phoenix is an hour away) I eat waaaay too much fast food. I have been trying to be healthier about eating out but I have plateaued for about a month now. My sodium is out of control. I do 500-600 minutes of cardio and lift HEAVY 3-5 times a week. I figured out that I can not out exercise a bad diet. I think I need someone/thing to say... Eat this for breakfast... Eat this for lunch... etc. I really have 50 lbs to lose to be comfortable even though it shows more on my "goal weight" ticker. Anyone have any suggestions for diet plans? I was thinking Body for Life or maybe the diet plan from P90X or something or maybe even Weight Watchers... Thanks in advance. =)

    What are you feeding your kids if you always run out of food?
  • axialmeow
    axialmeow Posts: 382 Member
    Wow. You are busy. You need stuff you can just grab and go. Protein powder is a good thing to keep on hand. Even protein bars are ok. Better than ending up famished and grabbing fast food. Make up some sandwiches and keep in the refrig. Grab one when you leave. You can use whole grain bread, lean turkey or even natural peanut butter.
  • jcpmoore
    jcpmoore Posts: 796 Member
    If the issue is a matter of always running out of food, then analyze what they are eating, when they are eating it, and how much they are eating. Then change your buying habits. Stock up better.

    You can make your own diet plan. You don't need someone else's plan. Find four things that are healthy breakfasts and put them on your schedule. Again for lunch, again for dinner. Now make sure you buy enough of the ingredients that you don't run out.

    HTH
  • jennajocummings
    jennajocummings Posts: 104
    What are you feeding your kids if you always run out of food?
    [/quote]

    I have food in my home just not always healthy food. I always try to make sure they have plenty of fruits and veggies with meals and so I run out. I guess the simple answer would be to just buy more but then it tends to go bad. I guess I haven't found that balance of shopping correctly... every shopping visit I tend to spend $400-500 a trip so shopping tends to be a big deal around here.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Find things that you can cook in a large amount and then freeze into individual portions to reheat later. Examples are chili, soups, and meatballs.

    Also learn some things that are healthy and easy to cook quickly. Omlettes are high in protein and cook in a couple of minutes. If you can get your meat counter to pre-pound chicken breasts for you (i.e. scallopini), that reduces cooking time dramatically. One of my favorite salads is just chopped tomatoes and onions mixed together with a splash of olive oil and salt. Baking chicken takes an hour, but all you need to do is season it and put it in the oven, so prep time is minimal.
  • jennajocummings
    jennajocummings Posts: 104
    I think the moral of the story is that I need to plan better. It's easy for me to do with my children but for some reason when it comes to me it's harder. I think I feel guilty sometimes because my whole life is spent taking care of the children so when it comes to doing things for myself I'm not so good at... apparently that's true of my diet too. Ohhhh geez, I think I'm a mental case. haha
  • RandomMiranda
    RandomMiranda Posts: 298
    If the reality of your life is that you will eat fast food a few times a week, have a plan for that. Look at the calories on their websites (or some post them on the menu now) so when you do have to drive through you make the best possible choice. My go-to fast food is Subway. In general, most places have some kind of grilled chicken sandwich (no mayo), and many offer alternatives to french fries such as apples or a side salad. At home it might be good to stock up on low calorie soups or frozen meals. The sodium is high, but your schedule may not allow you to prepare a lot of healthy food all at once or other common tools like that, so better to have something easy on hand for those times when you are pretty much out of food.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    What are you feeding your kids if you always run out of food?

    I have food in my home just not always healthy food. I always try to make sure they have plenty of fruits and veggies with meals and so I run out. I guess the simple answer would be to just buy more but then it tends to go bad. I guess I haven't found that balance of shopping correctly... every shopping visit I tend to spend $400-500 a trip so shopping tends to be a big deal around here.


    I can see how it would be really expensive and stressful with so many mouths to feed, but it might also be a good family exercise to spend some time cooking together on the weekends to prepare for the week. My husband and I do this together on Sunday evenings.

    You can make a whole pot of black beans in the crock pot that are cheap and keep very well. You can also pre-portion things like grapes and other healthy snacks etc. into smaller containers so everyone can just grab and go. You can pre-make sandwiches the same way. That way when you have a busy day, you just grab what you need so you can eat in the car and avoid the fast food entirely.

    Plus, it'll teach the kids about good nutrition, and the older ones can help sort out what they want to eat for the week.

    Things like crock pot meals are great if you're busy too. They don't take long to setup in the morning, and by dinner, you have a big pot of really good healthy food. There are tons of good crock pot recipes available online as well so you can find something your whole family will enjoy.

    Also, I think it's wonderful to see someone open up their heart and home to so many children with special needs. Sounds like your family is fantastic!
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    I don't think WW is a good idea for somebody so busy with so many responsibilities. It requires a lot of calculating that turns calories into points.

    I recommend that you start with a notepad. Write down everything you're eating, then log it all here when you have a few minutes. It will give you a lot of information about your problem areas.

    It sounds like you need at least one food prep day a week where you make a lot of grab and go options, like boiled eggs, cut up vegetables, etc.

    I'm pretty lousy about planning myself. I usually don't know what I'm going to eat until I open the refrigerator and cabinets and take a mental inventory of what is there and how much time I can or want to spend in the kitchen. For breakfast, I just had leftover Mexican food from husband's dinner out yesterday.
  • alaskaang
    alaskaang Posts: 493 Member
    Wow - you've got to have one busy household. First, hats off to you for caring for so many with additional needs. I doubt that anything extremely structured is going to be easy with your schedule. If fast food is your downfall, I would suggest trying to set aside some time once a week to make/prep things that you can easily grab and go. Hard boiled eggs, fresh veggies already washed cut up and ready to go in baggies, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, nuts pre portioned, etc. Then at least if you get hungry when you're making that drive to town you can grab a few things and toss in a bag or small cooler rather than making the stop at the drive through. Even the drive through takes time, so if you schedule that time up front to make a few sandwiches to take along it would be alot better than fast food. Are any of the kids old enough and able to help or maybe do the grocery run for you?
  • wordena
    wordena Posts: 177 Member
    Sounds like you need to rely on a freezer. Especially with fruits and veggies. If you can investing in one wouldbevery beneficial for your family. Buy bulk and buy frozen bulk if possible. But it also sounds like you need to be on top of food organization. Because your family is son big you can drastically noticesavings and cost. Buy buget savingtcookbooks and modify for healthy 'recipes. Also making huge vast quantities one day a week is going road really help. But don't worry you have 12 kids. Everyone can help out a little in their own special way. I might make it a big family project.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I've never been able to stick to "eat this for breakfast, etc" ..... type plans. I can't see doing that for the rest of my life. The above poster had a great idea .... find 4 healthy things you will eat for breakfast... then eat those things. Then find lunch, dinner, etc. That sounds like a good plan.

    For breakfast I try to hit ... protein, fiber & fat to keep me full (just protein doesn't do it for me)

    High protein/high fiber cereal .... Kashi Go Lean ... add sliced almonds (for fat) and milk (more protein) .... and I'm good

    Greek yogurt is protein filled ..... add walnuts (fat) and berries (fiber) and Grapenuts or All Bran (more fiber)

    Eggs have protein ... add veggies (fiber) & cheese (all macros). Reduce egg yolks if too high in fat.

    I'm a big believer in "staples" .... I always have frozen veggies on hand (not corn) .... add these to casseroles (it ups the fiber & reduces the calories per serving)

    As far as exercise .... find something you like to do. I won't do any exercise (on a regular basis) ... that I don't like to do. Keeping the weight off is about lifestyle changes.
  • nadz6012
    nadz6012 Posts: 126 Member
    If you're looking for a diet plan to follow to a T, then you may want to check out Jaime Eason's LiveFit on bodybuilding.com. She puts out both a dietary and exercise plan that follows three phases. She is a professional fitness model and I read about a new fitness competitor every day who has followed her program and gotten great results. The best part is, it's all FREE!
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    I have just one quick recommendation - avoid "diets" like weight watchers and just cook healthy foods in huge quanities. Maybe even designate a "cooking day" where you and the kids just stay home and cook like maniacs. Make huge amounts of chicken so you can grab and go. Prepare lean meat hamburgers in huge batches and freeze some. Buy frozen veggies or pre-chop your veggies in large amounts.

    Just do everything large scale so you can relax a little more when it's time to eat.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    I honestly don't believe that ANYONE can do this without a little bit of planning ahead. I plan days ahead (it's the only way I can stay on track).

    For someone with 12 kids you need to plan more than I do (single working female with no kids) because there will always be something that "comes up". You have to have a Plan A, B & C for your new lifestyle to work.

    Get the older kids involved to help. Teach them good habits that they can carry with them. Have them help with the younger kids so Mom can do something for herself.
  • nanainkent
    nanainkent Posts: 350 Member
    you could try protien shakes for the times you are on the go. Just add the protien, some milk, put in some flavoring and fruits blend it in a blender and take it with you. I know If I add banana and PB mine is so filling I can barely finish it and it keeps me full. Then when you are at home you can do the other healthy eating you pre plan.
  • beccyleigh
    beccyleigh Posts: 846 Member
    personally if I were you with that much on my plate, so to speak, I would go the slimfast route for when you are on the go.

    The shakes can be kept in the car & when you are running around at appointments can just grab one for a meal.

    Slowcooking & freezing portions is also another good way to get healthy dinners but again,w ith 12 kids it is easier said than done.

    Certain foods for me are superfoods like bananas & boiled eggs. They can be carried around without refridgeration for a day, ok the eggs stink up a bit but they are still good to eat.

    Drink plenty of water too, carry a bit water bottle around & fill up as often as possib,e it keeps hunger at bay & also hels flush out that sodium

    These are just a couple of small changes.

    I would recommend doing a weekly meal planner, then shopping for it then at least you know what you are having & when. it takes some of the guess work out of it all.
  • jennajocummings
    jennajocummings Posts: 104
    Thanks for the great ideas. I think I need to start planning better and come up with a healthy option for plan B when things don't go as planned... Which happens quite a bit having a large family.

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