Breaking Old Habits

thatguynick
thatguynick Posts: 106 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hello everyone! I am in need of a lot of advice. I have been in relationships in the past where neither one of us knew how or cared to cook. If we got hungry, I would be sent to one fast food restaurant or another. I whas stuck in thihs unhealthy rut for a decade. That's finally behind me, but I'm finding the transition difficult. My grocery shopping skills are lacking, which is a depressing realization. It's difficult to get myself motivated to shop and to cook. Even when I get food, I get the urge to get fast food anoyways.

Any tips or advice on deprogramming myself?

Thanks!

Replies

  • coffee797
    coffee797 Posts: 1
    I've been told preparation is the key. I typically buy in bulk. When I get home from shopping, I separate everything into meal sized portions and put everything in freezer bags. You don't have to buy in bulk but if you do your prep work (like cutting vegetables) ahead of time, then it saves you time when you're hungry. Oh and I eat healthy snacks while I cook. There is nothing worse than cooking while hungry.
  • jrompola
    jrompola Posts: 153 Member
    Hello everyone! I am in need of a lot of advice. I have been in relationships in the past where neither one of us knew how or cared to cook. If we got hungry, I would be sent to one fast food restaurant or another. I whas stuck in thihs unhealthy rut for a decade. That's finally behind me, but I'm finding the transition difficult. My grocery shopping skills are lacking, which is a depressing realization. It's difficult to get myself motivated to shop and to cook. Even when I get food, I get the urge to get fast food anoyways.

    Any tips or advice on deprogramming myself?

    Thanks!

    It's really about getting the right nutrition and amount of calories to fuel your workouts. If your goal is to lose weight you need to eat at a deficit calorie wise. Like the person already said you need to be prepared. Eat 5 meals a day with each meal being around 400 calories each and in every meal you want to get protein and vegetables/fruit of some sort. If you eat 3 hours apart at say 7, 10, 1, 4, 7 most likely you won't be hungry and won't snack. Another huge thing is to only drink water...you don't want to drink your calories. You need to drink enough water too...8-12 servings a day.
  • staceyd90
    staceyd90 Posts: 43
    One thing to realize, is cooking can be so easy! I'm 22 and live with grandparents so have been cooking for myself since i was like 17, and never really thought "am i good at cooking?" as it just kinda came naturally. Before it used to be stuff transferred straight from the freezer to the oven but as i am trying to loose weight, i am trying to take a more healthy approach. Things like spag bol even i can do without difficulty. Also cooking things like chicken fillets (thanks for reminding me i do need to get them out of the freezer to defrost) and home made low fat pizzas (pitta bread with tomato puree on top, a few healthy toppings like cherry tomatoes and mushrooms and covered with low fat grated cheese shoved under the grill until the cheese has melted).

    Hopefully once you make a few good meals and you see how simple it can be, and get the chance to experiment with things to suit your taste, you'll enjoy your own cooking far too much to want to fill your lovely body up with bad take aways :)

    Feel free to add me if you need anymore cooking advice :)
  • moustache_flavored_lube
    moustache_flavored_lube Posts: 849 Member
    Cooking with fresh natural (unprossesed ingredients is the ideal. However, healthy eating is a continuum. Eating processed frozen meals that are low in calories, and hit your macros is certainly better than fast food. I would recommend picking up a few of these to fill in the gaps as you learn to cook for yourself.

    Meals should contain a lean protein (eg fish, chicken, turkey, beef tenderloin, lentils ...) Some veggies (Frozen veggies are the easiest to deal with), and optionally a complex carb (brown rice, quinioa, sweet potato..)

    Learning to properly cook meat is probably the most challenging aspect of learning to cook.
  • MadDogManor
    MadDogManor Posts: 1,541 Member
    I love to cook, and eat :)

    Preparation is definitely required - washing and cutting fruits and veggies when I buy them, so I can grab a Baggie and go. Sometimes I grab 2 or more, but that's another issue ... Making sure meat or chicken is defrosted and ready to cook. Cooking a big pot of rice and then eat on it for days, with different toppings - chili, stir fry, etc.

    My portion control is non existent. I'm using measuring cups and a food scale now. I have eaten pretty clean and healthy recently ( like within the past 5 years), i just eat HUGE portions. Now I'm hungry every second of every day, but it's what I need to do to lose weight.

    Most of my recipes I get online. I just google what I have or want to eat, and then pick the easiest recipe that pops up.

    Luckily I mostly got out of the fast food habit a while ago - I just don't have the cash for it. There was a long detox-type period, tho. Just keep driving ...

    Good luck!
  • kgates121
    kgates121 Posts: 21 Member
    Hello everyone! I am in need of a lot of advice. I have been in relationships in the past where neither one of us knew how or cared to cook. If we got hungry, I would be sent to one fast food restaurant or another. I whas stuck in thihs unhealthy rut for a decade. That's finally behind me, but I'm finding the transition difficult. My grocery shopping skills are lacking, which is a depressing realization. It's difficult to get myself motivated to shop and to cook. Even when I get food, I get the urge to get fast food anoyways.

    Any tips or advice on deprogramming myself?

    Thanks!

    I find planning and shopping for meals weekly ensures healthier eating habits for me an my family.
    Quite a few good recipes from Skinny Ms. Also includes menu planning. http://skinnyms.com/6-skinny-menus-to-kick-start-the-new-year/
  • TimeForMe99
    TimeForMe99 Posts: 309
    Take a cooking class! The high end groceries offer them, and sometimes they're mixers (assuming you're single). Learn to handle a knife properly and make one or two basics, like a stir fry or healthy pasta. Grill out when the weather allows. Your work is creative and so is cooking.

    When you're at the grocery shop the outside of the store - veg, meat, dairy - and don't be afraid to ask the butcher or fishmonger for preparation tips. My husband has been the chief shopper for years and knows the lady fishmonger quite well. I'd be jealous but he does get the best cuts!
  • Bbwnomore2
    Bbwnomore2 Posts: 225 Member
    go to local library and spend the afternoon getting some cookbooks all kinds can be found there, some may inspire you
  • thatguynick
    thatguynick Posts: 106 Member
    Thank you all for the great suggestions! Hopefully one day I won't make myself sick on scrambled eggs!

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