Is this healthy?
AustinSalava
Posts: 4
Ok! so I downloaded the app for iphone, and I have been doing this fairly religiously for the past couple of weeks. The first week I lost about 6 pounds. I know, that sounds pretty bad, as if I'm just starving myself, but i'm really not.
My breakfast usually consists of 5 egg whites (80 Cal), with some water, and sometimes a banana, or an apple.
I DON'T eat at school, because god knows what they make there, so I usually go until about 3:00 PM, and then I may stop, and get a burger (Usually a wendy's deluxe thing.. they're pretty mini, so I don't think it's terrible.) and usually a small fry. (this is NOT every day, but I do enjoy stopping because it means I don't have to make anything when i get home! (Usually 800 cal TOPS.. I always get a raspberry iced tea, or a diet soda)
As I usually eat a very late lunch, I sometimes skip dinner, or will eat very minimal. occasionally I will have some kind of snack bar, like the crunchy granola stuff.
I know my eating habits aren't quite healthy right now, but i'm working on it! I am not very accustomed to eating lots of fruits and veggies, but I know to change myself for the better, i'm going to really have to change my diet.
I'd also like to say that this app has helped me lose about 10 pounds (I believe I was up to 12, or 13... But I had my final exams, which was quite the buttload of stress and the holidays). I have tried nutrisystem for a month, and it did work, but it's really not worth the money when you can just use this!
Any Advice/comments? I'm also looking for some friends to keep me on track! I could really use some positive people as I have about 50-60 pounds until my goal weight.
My breakfast usually consists of 5 egg whites (80 Cal), with some water, and sometimes a banana, or an apple.
I DON'T eat at school, because god knows what they make there, so I usually go until about 3:00 PM, and then I may stop, and get a burger (Usually a wendy's deluxe thing.. they're pretty mini, so I don't think it's terrible.) and usually a small fry. (this is NOT every day, but I do enjoy stopping because it means I don't have to make anything when i get home! (Usually 800 cal TOPS.. I always get a raspberry iced tea, or a diet soda)
As I usually eat a very late lunch, I sometimes skip dinner, or will eat very minimal. occasionally I will have some kind of snack bar, like the crunchy granola stuff.
I know my eating habits aren't quite healthy right now, but i'm working on it! I am not very accustomed to eating lots of fruits and veggies, but I know to change myself for the better, i'm going to really have to change my diet.
I'd also like to say that this app has helped me lose about 10 pounds (I believe I was up to 12, or 13... But I had my final exams, which was quite the buttload of stress and the holidays). I have tried nutrisystem for a month, and it did work, but it's really not worth the money when you can just use this!
Any Advice/comments? I'm also looking for some friends to keep me on track! I could really use some positive people as I have about 50-60 pounds until my goal weight.
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Replies
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I could help more if you opened up your food diary so I could look at it myself.
Edit: could you bring lunch to school?0 -
Umm how old are you and are you doing this with your Dr???????? Skipping lunch out and having take away is not the best idea. I am sure your school food would be along the same lines as takeaway, if not possibly better esp if you have fruit, salad and vege options.0
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I could help more if you opened up your food diary so I could look at it myself.
Edit: could you bring lunch to school?
I haven't logged in about two weeks, due to the holidays! I am just getting back into it.
Mornings: 5-6 egg whites, water, possibly a fruit.
mid-day: Usually nothing, until about 3PM, and then i may have a small fast-food meal (I do always check before I buy it, to make sure i'm not putting in a ton of empty calories).
If I go home instead, which is usually the case, I bought a lot of the portion controlled meals with like 300-400 calories and decent stuff in them.
Evenings: sometimes I will skip an evening meal because I'm just not hungry! Sometimes I will eat a couple bites of whatever the family is having, and I'll usually have a Dr. Pepper 10 (10 calories) sometime between 5, and 10PM.
Also, I COULD bring a lunch to school, but we are expected to lug around quite the load all day, and I'd have to look into some special pack, so my lunch isn't a pile of squished mush by lunch time! That's a good suggestion, I haven't really thought of that, as it was never really relevant to me in the past.Umm how old are you and are you doing this with your Dr???????? Skipping lunch out and having take away is not the best idea. I am sure your school food would be along the same lines as takeaway, if not possibly better esp if you have fruit, salad and vege options.
I am 17 years old. I haven't gone in-depth with my doctor about it, but we both acknowledge that changes need to be made. I don't dare eat at school, due to the fact that it's pretty much an open cafeteria, with a lot of temptation! Last year at school, I got 2 cookies a long with lunch everyday. I told myself that I would stop, but I didn't. I now Just choose to avoid that situation and temptation all together! it also gives me some time to work on homework!
I am not keen on the fruit and veggies, but I know I need to try! I have gotten the v8 fusion (Or the one that is actually vegetable juice, and not some sugar filled junk). But it's quite pricey.
I'd also like to not, that I don't eat out super often, but it is convienent, and I ALWAYS look it up before I get something, so I don't exceed 1000 calories. I try to stay under 800, which isnt hard as most places have them labeled! 0 -
All I can tell you is don't try to force yourself to eat something just because it's "healthy". Pick the fruits and veggies you DO like and start there. Eventually your tastes will change as you develop better habits. For example, I tried to make oatmeal for my breakfasts, and I just ended up resenting it and going back to junk. But I do like plain yogurt with blueberries, so I started there. Now I crave fruits when I don't get them.0
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I'd still suggest that you pack your food from home if you want to avoid the dining hall at school.0
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All I can tell you is don't try to force yourself to eat something just because it's "healthy". Pick the fruits and veggies you DO like and start there. Eventually your tastes will change as you develop better habits. For example, I tried to make oatmeal for my breakfasts, and I just ended up resenting it and going back to junk. But I do like plain yogurt with blueberries, so I started there. Now I crave fruits when I don't get them.
I do try to force myself, but I have about zero desire to eat any!
I do like the mcdonalds yogurt parfait though! It's got regular vanilla yogurt, some fruit, and granola. It's also minimal on calories, But I'm sure they mix something in to make it unhealthy!!! I do enjoy yogurts, and groupon is constantly telling me to buy these frozen yogurts!
Fruits aren't too much of a challenge, as they are more of a desirable taste, but vegetables are damn near impossible! I'll have to look into foods that have them mixed in, so I can get some vegetables in, without really having to sit down with a plate of carrots or something! haha.
I do like the idea of getting accustomed to the healthy stuff though! I will definitely try that!I'd still suggest that you pack your food from home if you want to avoid the dining hall at school.
Thanks for the suggestion. I do appreciate the input 
Although, at this point i'm pretty accustomed to eating at 3PM, where I'm usually not hungry until around 2 at least. (I have an early lunch, at about 10:30.. which is a bit early for me, and I imagine for most people). 0 -
So what are you looking for as an answer? For people to say its acceptable? Are you just looking for someone to coddle your current eating choices?
Stop making excuses, because its not healthy and a poor way to lose weight.0 -
So what are you looking for as an answer? For people to say its acceptable? Are you just looking for someone to coddle your current eating choices?
Stop making excuses, because its not healthy and a poor way to lose weight.
I never claimed it was healthy. I am looking for suggestions, and motivation. I know doing it alone is 1000x harder!0 -
So what are you looking for as an answer? For people to say its acceptable? Are you just looking for someone to coddle your current eating choices?
Stop making excuses, because its not healthy and a poor way to lose weight.
I never claimed it was healthy. I am looking for suggestions, and motivation. I know doing it alone is 1000x harder!
making an excuse for every suggestion is productive how?0 -
Also, I COULD bring a lunch to school, but we are expected to lug around quite the load all day, and I'd have to look into some special pack, so my lunch isn't a pile of squished mush by lunch time! That's a good suggestion, I haven't really thought of that, as it was never really relevant to me in the past.
Hey, so for lunch don't you have a locker or something that you can put it in? If not, maybe just get a little tuppaware container that you can put something healthy in so that it doesn't get smushed.I am 17 years old. I haven't gone in-depth with my doctor about it, but we both acknowledge that changes need to be made. I don't dare eat at school, due to the fact that it's pretty much an open cafeteria, with a lot of temptation! Last year at school, I got 2 cookies a long with lunch everyday. I told myself that I would stop, but I didn't. I now Just choose to avoid that situation and temptation all together! it also gives me some time to work on homework!
I understand the part about not wanting to by cookies but can't you just bring enough money for the lunch so you don't have any money to buy cookies with? And Fast food isn't any healthier than cookies. Maybe you could bring fruit or something with you to school that way you have something to have at lunch time, and something if you're hungry after school that way you can eat an actual meal at home (Which is probably healthier than the fast food)0 -
Mate, I am going to tell you straight up. So you now have the option to not read. Before anyone slams me for posting this: read the statement above, you don't have to read this.
I am a serial NON eater by habit. I am a teacher who also find school food undesirable, so I pack mine. I also found it very very hard to find time to eat, but I have to. I know that as a result of BAD habits - avoiding eating til on the way home from work, my body was living in survival mode, thinking that every time i fed it, it was going to have to wait up to 24 hours for the next lot of food, so went and stored it.
You are young enough to break this sort of habit now. You need to eat at regular intervals - not huge long breaks between meals so that you go via the takeaway store and woof down whatever appeals to you. It is all about retraining your mind as well as your body. This takes time and being ready to do it.
Again I suggest you talk very carefully with your Dr about what you are planning on doing re weight loss.
But - please please start to eat regular meals. As another poster said, are you seeking someone to tell you what you are doing is OK? I'm sorry I can't do that for you. I work with kids your age all the time and see the effects of poor diet in the classroom. You need to make sure your body is fuelled, you need to be able to concentrate. Without food your grades will reduce, as you are not able to study effectively.0 -
I know you're probably sick of reading all of these negative posts, but they are true. Holding off that long to eat lowers your metabolism and reduces your ability to fight weight gain. Bringing lunch to school is really easy! I used to do it all the time in high school. A good lunch box and some ice will keep a salad fresh all day. I always put the dressing and the tomatoes in separate containers because they made everything else soggy. Hummus and veggies is easy too, because they don't have to be warmed up!0
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No, with the exception of the egg whites absolutely nothing about this is healthy! We ALL have to start somewhere but it sounds like you are trying to convince yourself that eating fast food and skipping meals is healthy when it's just not. This is not an easy road to be on, especially if you aren't ready to make changes. Everyone on here wants what is best for one another, this site is truly filled with people who want to support each other so utilize that, but also be honest with yourself at the end of the day you are responsible for your own decisions so take control!!! It will not be easy, you are still allowed to eat cookies and fast food sometimes but no one on here is going to tell you that this is healthy!0
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No, and you're supposed to be 18 to even use this site.0
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No, and you're supposed to be 18 to even use this site.
^This is true. You might want to check out sparkteen.com. Best of luck and wish you much success 0 -
Erm … egg whites (80 cals) for breakfast, then a 400 calorie lunch, and a Dr Pepper 10 for supper … So you're getting about 500 calories a day? This is SO NOT HEALTHY!!!! You can't keep this up and expect a healthy or strong body.
I hate the blanket statement and random/generic 1200 calories a day, because that doesn't apply to everyone. But an active 17 year old should be eating far far more than 500 calories a day. You should be getting at least twice that, if not more.
Definitely pack a lunch. I did this while going to college for years. I went to the discount store and bought a reusable lunch bag, then loaded it with healthy stuff I like … yogurt, sandwich, nuts, apple or orange, carrot sticks or raw broccoli, etc. I know what a drag it is to lug it around with everything else (I also had to lug my gym clothes around every day I wanted to work out), but it's worth it! You'll have more energy and a better appetite, so you can continue to eat healthy foods.
As far as fruits and vegetables go, it may be a learned appreciation, but it's truly possible to love them! I think that many people who don't like fruits & veggies either haven't tried enough variety to find the ones they like, and/or haven't had them prepared properly (vegetables boiled to an inch of edible aren't prepared properly). It's okay to have carrot sticks, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, etc with a bit of ranch dip or salsa, if that makes them more palatable (just don't smother them ) Keep trying different foods, you'll find that you like more and more as you make a habit of eating well. 0 -
It seems like a lot of the people responding have never been in school, or have been out for a very long time. College schedules are wacky and it's a challenge to eat at normal times. I would usually opt for a bagel with cream cheese in the morning because it was calorie-dense and would keep me full until the evening when I finally had a break from classes (I didn't like eating in class because I feel like it's rude and distracting to the other students). Nowdays I feel like I need to consume food constantly and can't imagine how I went for 12 hours stretches without a bite to eat, but if it works for you then stick with what you're doing! 0
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Doing 1000 calories and less meal plan is very unsafe unless it is under doctor supervision.
Go see your doctor and come up with a plan that will be safe. See about getting a nutritionist and possibly talk with a psychiatrist/counselor.
Maybe talk to your parents and let them know the situation and to ask them to help you get some help.0 -
the kid is 17. This isn't college.It seems like a lot of the people responding have never been in school, or have been out for a very long time. College schedules are wacky and it's a challenge to eat at normal times. I would usually opt for a bagel with cream cheese in the morning because it was calorie-dense and would keep me full until the evening when I finally had a break from classes (I didn't like eating in class because I feel like it's rude and distracting to the other students). Nowdays I feel like I need to consume food constantly and can't imagine how I went for 12 hours stretches without a bite to eat, but if it works for you then stick with what you're doing!0 -
You should be eating every 3 -4 hours, especially if you are active at school. Plus you are 17, you are young so please don't screw up your metabolism now. I would reccommend finding your TDEE and BMR and finding a happy medium for healthy fat loss.
When I was at high school I brought my own lunch every day.. Whats wrong with that? It was usually snack bars, chips, fruit, yogurt. I kept an ice brick in a lunch box so cold food stayed cold. Since starting uni I have also packed a lunch as the food there is so expensive!
Its really not that hard to change your habits. I was the fussiest kid and teenager, never ate fruit or vegetables (I'm not kidding.. NEVER). Now I am vegetarian and depend on it daily! You can learn to love it.0 -
It seems like a lot of the people responding have never been in school, or have been out for a very long time. College schedules are wacky and it's a challenge to eat at normal times. I would usually opt for a bagel with cream cheese in the morning because it was calorie-dense and would keep me full until the evening when I finally had a break from classes (I didn't like eating in class because I feel like it's rude and distracting to the other students). Nowdays I feel like I need to consume food constantly and can't imagine how I went for 12 hours stretches without a bite to eat, but if it works for you then stick with what you're doing!
She's in high school..not in college.
ETA: I understand college students have hectic lives. but their are a lot of college students on MFP that are successfully balancing out their schedules with their meals. They understand the importance of getting their nutrition - especially those struggling to lose weight or even maintain fitness.
Excuses are excuses. There is always a way to take control and take care of yourself.0 -
Well, you guys have said enough and very useful stuff so what to add? Just hope this leave this member thinking hard about it and not to continue with what some stuff can't be done.
Lot's of luck!0 -
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Also, I COULD bring a lunch to school, but we are expected to lug around quite the load all day, and I'd have to look into some special pack, so my lunch isn't a pile of squished mush by lunch time! That's a good suggestion, I haven't really thought of that, as it was never really relevant to me in the past.
I've seen how much kids carry with them at school and I get that, but I also see kids carrying food to class as well. Don't you have a locker? I've yet to see a HS without lockers. You could keep your lunch in your locker until it's time to eat.
Also...you will eventually need to learn self control when it comes to tempting cookies. Do you have friends you eat with that you can ask to encourage you to not eat them? I also think that a lunch with cookies is better than no lunch at all.0 -
I think the fact you are aware of what you're eating, and tracking it, is a GREAT first step. The fact this site allows you to track and log accurately is a HUGE part of success. Figure out what works for you and your lifestyle. Everyone has given great suggestions and input, but at the end of the day none of us are walking in your shoes.
If you have to hit fast food - try leaner stuff like a McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich with mustard instead of mayo or one of their southwest grilled chicken salads with an extra chicken breast.
I cook a lot of stuff ahead on a foreman with Mrs Dash so I don't get all the sodium of processed foods like in fast food. You could precook one of those and slap it between a whole grain bun with some mustard and it wouldn't matter if it got squished
Good luck and keep up the progress!0 -
Going without lunch isn't bad or even breakfast or even supper. Please people it's called fasting and is in fact GOOD for you. He knows he's not making the best food choices but will make small changes slowly as it suits him. He's probably not eating enough calories and should find some stuff to add to it. But the eating breakfast and then not eating until after school isn't the unhealthy part of what he's doing. Dude do some research on fasting. You may find it actually suits you best and with adding some more caloires to your daily routine, then making better choices by adding in fruits and veggies, I think you'll find life to be good and your diet working wonderfully.0
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Going without lunch isn't bad or even breakfast or even supper. Please people it's called fasting and is in fact GOOD for you. He knows he's not making the best food choices but will make small changes slowly as it suits him. He's probably not eating enough calories and should find some stuff to add to it. But the eating breakfast and then not eating until after school isn't the unhealthy part of what he's doing. Dude do some research on fasting. You may find it actually suits you best and with adding some more caloires to your daily routine, then making better choices by adding in fruits and veggies, I think you'll find life to be good and your diet working wonderfully.
So the 17 year old kid should fast?0 -
I think maybe you should try to eat a little more fore breakfast? Egg whites & fruit really isn't all that much. I would recommend oatmeal! Even though you mentioned you don't get hungry until 3pm, it will still keep you satisfied for awhile, and it will help to add in more nutrition to your diet.
If you're set on getting fast food after school, I would at least cut out the soda or ice tea. Diet soda isn't good for you at all (I LOVE diet coke, but I cut it out...I drink it maybe once every 2 months or so now when I absolutely crave it), and the tea probably has a lot of sugar.
Like other people mentioned, I would try to pack a lunch. Maybe you shouldn't bring money to school that way you're not tempted to buy cookies. Also, is there anywhere else you can eat other than the cafeteria? When I was in high school we were able to eat outside in a courtyard, so if I brought my lunch & went straight there, I was able to avoid any temptation of buying junk.
One last note, incorporate more veggies & fruit! I didn't really like vegetables that much in HS either, but I kept on trying to eat them & eventually my tastes changed, and I love veggies now. Good luck!!!0 -
What if you start by having a more substantial breakfast, and bringing a snack for your lunch period (bag of almonds and dried fruit wouldn't get squished at all). Then, if you drive, have another healthy snack in your car, so you're not as tempted to stop on the way home, and then have a good, balanced dinner?0
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I think the fact you are aware of what you're eating, and tracking it, is a GREAT first step. The fact this site allows you to track and log accurately is a HUGE part of success. Figure out what works for you and your lifestyle. Everyone has given great suggestions and input, but at the end of the day none of us are walking in your shoes.
If you have to hit fast food - try leaner stuff like a McDonald's grilled chicken sandwich with mustard instead of mayo or one of their southwest grilled chicken salads with an extra chicken breast.
I cook a lot of stuff ahead on a foreman with Mrs Dash so I don't get all the sodium of processed foods like in fast food. You could precook one of those and slap it between a whole grain bun with some mustard and it wouldn't matter if it got squished
Good luck and keep up the progress!
Basically this. Everyone has to start somewhere, and at least you're logging. Try to bring small snacks with you to school so you don't crash your metabolism, and also be aware that the raspberry iced tea from Wendy's is PACKED with sugar and other crap, so you might want to recalculate that 800 calories to somewhere around 1300.0 -
I think some good advice has already been given, so I'll just add that you should track your milk along with your cereal if you are looking to get accurate calorie counts. I wish you the best of luck!0
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