i give up!!

If you feel like you need to give up, take a break for a few days so the thought of exercise and figuring out what to eat doesn't stress you out. Then, sit down and reassess how you can get in a 20 minute walk each day. Its not a lot but its something that you can fit into a lunch break at work or inbetween running around. I guarantee taking 20 minutes to yourself each day will help relieve a little stress.

Honestly, from looking at your food diary...you aren't eating enough! Your lack of energy, irritability, etc. is most likely due to low blood sugar. I would get off the processed food bars and start trying to incorporate more unprocessed protein, whole grains, vegetables, and some fruits. I'd also up your calorie consumption and water intake. You can't lose weight feeling hungry and miserable. You won't be inspired to exercise if you're already starving.

A good book to read on the topic might be The Insulin Resistance Diet. It takes a very sensible approach to eating and keeping that blood sugar level. The Zone Diet is another good one, but I found the former easier to understand.

I work 2 jobs as well for 70 hrs a week (my profile pic is me doing an autism walk I have an autistic son that requires private therapy). I also have 3 children under 3. The key to success is getting on a schedule. I have organised a set schedule with my 2 jobs. I work steady midnights and when I cant work out before work I work out after I work. Even if I am exhausted I grab a coffee and head to the gym even for just half an hour.

Dont be discouraged by 2 days. 2 days means nothing.

Get back on the wagon. Throw the bad things you have in the house out if your waking up in the middle of the night and dont have the discipline to stop yourself. I cant have soda in the house or Ill drink it.

First, deep breath! I totally understand how you feel. During the school year between parent conferences, papers to grade, lesson plans, after school meetings, I can't think let alone find time for anything else. Are you being too hard on yourself? Are you setting too many goals? Small goals are really helping me this time. Pick one thing, lots of water this week and just focus on that. Having a good breakfast every day or a more sensible lunch. Just focus on one a week and then a new one. Don't be so hard on yourself and keep on working it. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

So I took a quick look at your food diary and 1000 calories is just not enough - we are around the same height and age if your profile is accurate and I eat a minimum of 1200 and more often than not 1300 calories a day... at 1000 calories I would feel like giving up too - up you calories and you should start to feel better! plus you don't need to exercise to drop the lbs... it helps... but just start with the nutrition and you will get right back on track! ps - don't forget to treat your self once in a while...

Don't give up..........you came to this site for a reason. Looking at your food diary................your calorie intake is too low. Your body will shut off below 1200 calories. Hence, the not losing weight part. Add lean proteins and cheese to your intake and cut alot of the carbs. Add more fiber as well with plenty of water and that should make you feel full longer. I know that you are pressed for time due the long work hours, but even if you could get in a walk at your lunch break, it would not only benefit for exercise, but will help with the anxiety as well. Good luck to you and friend me if you would like:)

Wow!!!! I am with everyone here don't give up!!! You are so worth being healthy, if we don't have our health, we don't have anything! I'm a single mom, I've got two rowdy kids, I've also recently "adopted' my 7yr old niece and alcoholic/mentally challenged brother, I've got 3 rescue dogs (2 pit bulls and one Boston Terrier), I also have no less than 6 kids in my house that I'm responsible for most days of the week and a few other critters to take care of. I also work. So I completely understand not having time to work out, which is something that I'm actively looking to find a solution for right now. However the one thing that I can control all the time is what I eat!

I looked at your food diary and agree with a previous poster. You need to change what you are eating to improve how you feel! You likely are not getting enough calories, and the calories you are eating, are coming from processed food. Try to cut out those bars and processed things, instead eat whole foods that are healthy for you... Lean meats, fresh (when you can get it) veggies, and fruit. I cannot tolerate much in the way of carbs, but if you can eat them, try whole grains and things like steel cut oatmeal. You can eat a lot more food calorie wise this way than trying to subsist on processed "food" bars. You should see a huge change in how you feel just by improving what you eat. Eating this way takes more planning, but it is so very worth it. I try to plan ahead for an entire week, or at least 3-4 days. I will cook an entire bag of frozen boneless/skinless chicken breasts all at once so I have easy ready-to-go protein to grab. Its a bit more work, but definitely will improve things for you. It will also help improve your metabolism and well, a whole lot of other things.

My food diary is open to the public to view, while not perfect, since I am still in the process of figuring out what I can and cannot eat, it might give you an idea of a way to improve your food intake.

It I was in your place (and I'm not too far from the NO time thing like you) I would first concentrate on improving what you eat, and then work on adding in the exercise. Most of the personal trainers/health coaches/and what not..will tell you that losing weight is 80% diet/food and 20% exercise (give or take a few percentages depending on the person), and I know that this is true for me as well!

Good luck, if you need a friend or someone to talk to...add or message me

Make small changes. Don't try to revolutionize everything in your life right now. Pick out one thing that you can do right now that is healthier.

Cut out sugar sodas. Or take healthier lunches.

And then when you get that down, try to add yet another thing. Before you know it you WILL have revolutionized your life.

But you've gotta do it incrementally. Trying to white knuckle everything will NATURALLY make you overwhelmed and want to give up.

I also think you should choose just one or two things to change this week. Make them things that you are relatively sure you can stick to in order to create momentum and feel successful. I know you don't have a lot of time, but the book "Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard" has been life altering for me. It teaches this principal. Don't think about this week as the first week you will lose weight, think about it as the week that you will finally be able to drink 40oz of water every day, or the first week that you've gotten all your fruit and vegetable dietary requirements. It isn't so overwhelming that way, and small things make a big difference. Hang in there!