I'm Broken (warning: long)
heymayer
Posts: 34 Member
From May of 2011 to June 2012 I successfully stuck to a diet and exercise and managed to lose 74lbs from my fat body. I went from an all-time high of 288lbs to an adult-life all-time low of 214lbs. I ended up with an entirely new wardrobe because every single item I owned was too large to put on. I had people, from people I barely knew to close friends and family, call me skinny. And actually mean it! In March of 2012 I successfully ran my first 5k, and followed that up in September with a 2nd, where I improved my time by almost 5 minutes. I felt like I was at the top of the mountain, finally.
And then.....I don't know what happened.
It's like I just stopped. All of my goals accomplished, I felt cocky and whole for once and I went back to my old ways.
It was only supposed to be temporary. A cheat day here or there because, I thought, what would it matter?
But then it just turned into every day.
I think part of the problem, while I'm not fully blaming her, is because I eat how my fiance eats. She's 5'4'' and weighs 108 and has always been able to just eat whatever she wants without gaining anything. A typical days meal for her is no breakfast, fast food for lunch and fast food or pizza for dinner (she absolutely cannot cook, it's like her only flaw). Yes, she eats very small meals, but it's nothing but fast food. I, on the other hand, am 6'4'' and weigh much more than her, so I require more food! Say, for example, we go to Taco Bell. She'll get her never-changing meal of 1 cheese roll up and 1 Dorito taco with a large Pepsi....and I'll get 3 doritos tacos and something else along with a large drink for myself. I've tried to eat less, like her, but I'm just still starving after because I didn't get enough food, and I want that full feeling so I pig out to achieve it and then take in tons of calories.
Another factor is time. Due to an ever increasing work schedule, I've gone from working 38 hours a week a few years ago to over 60 a week now. I eat a quick breakfast, something low in calories because I can control it at that time of day, followed by a decent sized lunch (while still working, I don't really get a lunch break) and then I'll go home and eat a very unhealthy snack because I'm hungry followed up by usually getting obscene amounts of fast food before heading back to work (I'm a school librarian that is heavily involved in multiple sports at our school and therefore I am here 4 out of 5 nights a week doing something sports related). I don't have time to cook a good, healthy meal at home because I'm only home for an undetermined amount of time before having to go back to work, so I just get fast food cause it's quick and mobile.
Anyway, I've had "wake up calls" so to speak and gotten back on track....but it'll only last for like a week at most and I'm right back at it. When I first joined MFP and got my life in order, it seemed really simple. It took a few days to get under control and on track, but once I did I stuck with it and was up and running. Now it's like hitting "restart" every time only to have to do it again later because I can't seem to stick with it.
All told, I'm asking for help and input now because I need it. Since September of 2012, when I still weighed 214lbs, I've ballooned up to 254lbs. I've put on 40lbs in a year. In no way shape or form is that healthy for anyone! It's not all fat, thankfully, as some stuff, for whatever reason, has gotten very muscular on me. My biceps and legs are way bigger than ever before, but I do have a gut again and my clothes no longer fit. I had to go back up a size, even in pants. It's just embarrassing. Nobody tells me I look good anymore, sans my fiance. She says I look the same but I know that even she knows I've gotten big again and I'm embarrassed to be naked in front of her anymore because I don't want her seeing my gut. Sex with the lights off is extremely upsetting!
So.....am I broken? Can someone help? How do I do this, again? How do I get back on track and stay on track? I'm out of ideas and options!
And then.....I don't know what happened.
It's like I just stopped. All of my goals accomplished, I felt cocky and whole for once and I went back to my old ways.
It was only supposed to be temporary. A cheat day here or there because, I thought, what would it matter?
But then it just turned into every day.
I think part of the problem, while I'm not fully blaming her, is because I eat how my fiance eats. She's 5'4'' and weighs 108 and has always been able to just eat whatever she wants without gaining anything. A typical days meal for her is no breakfast, fast food for lunch and fast food or pizza for dinner (she absolutely cannot cook, it's like her only flaw). Yes, she eats very small meals, but it's nothing but fast food. I, on the other hand, am 6'4'' and weigh much more than her, so I require more food! Say, for example, we go to Taco Bell. She'll get her never-changing meal of 1 cheese roll up and 1 Dorito taco with a large Pepsi....and I'll get 3 doritos tacos and something else along with a large drink for myself. I've tried to eat less, like her, but I'm just still starving after because I didn't get enough food, and I want that full feeling so I pig out to achieve it and then take in tons of calories.
Another factor is time. Due to an ever increasing work schedule, I've gone from working 38 hours a week a few years ago to over 60 a week now. I eat a quick breakfast, something low in calories because I can control it at that time of day, followed by a decent sized lunch (while still working, I don't really get a lunch break) and then I'll go home and eat a very unhealthy snack because I'm hungry followed up by usually getting obscene amounts of fast food before heading back to work (I'm a school librarian that is heavily involved in multiple sports at our school and therefore I am here 4 out of 5 nights a week doing something sports related). I don't have time to cook a good, healthy meal at home because I'm only home for an undetermined amount of time before having to go back to work, so I just get fast food cause it's quick and mobile.
Anyway, I've had "wake up calls" so to speak and gotten back on track....but it'll only last for like a week at most and I'm right back at it. When I first joined MFP and got my life in order, it seemed really simple. It took a few days to get under control and on track, but once I did I stuck with it and was up and running. Now it's like hitting "restart" every time only to have to do it again later because I can't seem to stick with it.
All told, I'm asking for help and input now because I need it. Since September of 2012, when I still weighed 214lbs, I've ballooned up to 254lbs. I've put on 40lbs in a year. In no way shape or form is that healthy for anyone! It's not all fat, thankfully, as some stuff, for whatever reason, has gotten very muscular on me. My biceps and legs are way bigger than ever before, but I do have a gut again and my clothes no longer fit. I had to go back up a size, even in pants. It's just embarrassing. Nobody tells me I look good anymore, sans my fiance. She says I look the same but I know that even she knows I've gotten big again and I'm embarrassed to be naked in front of her anymore because I don't want her seeing my gut. Sex with the lights off is extremely upsetting!
So.....am I broken? Can someone help? How do I do this, again? How do I get back on track and stay on track? I'm out of ideas and options!
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Replies
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I don't think you're broken.
You did this before. You know what it takes. It can not be a "short term" thing. This is a change for the rest of your life.
Do or do not. There is no try. When you want this badly enough, it will be your priority. No one or thing will make you veer off plan. Until then - any excuse will work.
What do you want? And how badly do you want it?0 -
I guess this is proof that we are all different.
It's a lot like stopping smoking I believe. As long as you follow your path and avoid the obvious obstacles you will succeed. But if you relax and give in just once the next time becomes easier, until eventually you are too far along and overwhelmed again.
Try to view this as a life lesson. Now that you know what happens when you go back to your old ways you won't allow it to happen again.
Good luck.0 -
I wish I could add some wonderful, inspiring words of wisdom, but right now all I have is.... same here bro. Honestly, I never did reach my ultimate goal, but I gave up after 70 lb loss, cuz I looked good...and put at least 30-40 back on... I am now a week back into it and all I can say to you is, lets do this. I am ashamed of my self, I let it go, I honestly hate being disgusted by my naked self, so lets do this. We can get back on the wagon, I am slowly but surely doing it, starting to log my every morsel again, wear my pedometer around. You can do it, let yourself be your motivation. I am letting the sexy chick out again... You can do the same. The difference is, this time - I'm gonna be more humble about it, I'm not gonna tell everyone, I am just going to do it. So let's do this damn thing...0
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Agree!! I t is so nice to hear you are looking great, and everything is going well, then you eat a cheat meal here, and one there...and the ugly is there again..., I am with you on this one - round 2 for me too. The difference also - now we know where we messed up, lets get to fix it, and not have to do it again from scratch!0
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How about having a conversation with your fiance about other eating options. You sound busy but if she's no good at cooking, could you take over that duty somehow? Bake up some meats (chicken pieces, pork chops, even steak) so they can just be reheated in the microwave and served quickly. Or make up some casseroles and/or batches of soup during your free time and eat the leftovers for dinner? Get a crock pot so you can just throw stuff in it in the morning and dinner's ready when you get home.
Cook together so she can learn some of these things. Hubs was a way better cook than me when we first got together because he had more experience and a bit of training. So he started giving me tips and I've learned a lot over the years.
Plus, there are a lot of other options out there besides fast food for dinner. How about going to the grocery store and getting a rotisserie chicken and a bag salad? Or even some fish filets - they typically only take like 10-20 minutes to bake in the oven (depending on size/type of fish).
You can do this!0 -
Your story is very familiar - I went from 301 to 206 in 2 years, then the wheels came off and I put 48 lbs back on over 18 months. My eating wasn't terrible, but it was bad enough when I stopped my daily exercises too. I couldn't seem to do anything about it. Then at the end of January this year, I was introduced to the 5:2 fasting way of life and it all seemed to click back into place in my head. I've found it very easy this time, and have lost nearly 70 lbs in the last 35 weeks.
So, my suggestion to you would be to try something new. I'd recommend 5:2 myself, but it's not for everyone. But something new might just be enough to give you some new motivation.0 -
You did it before and you can do it again!
As for meals, maybe you can prepare healthy freezable food in advance? On your days off, perhaps? Divide it into appropriate portion, freeze them, then heat one up for your lunch/dinner.0 -
What is the 5:2 diet? I've never heard of that and it sounds interesting....0
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I second/third/whatever the suggestions to premake food so that you are never 2 minutes in the microwave away from a healthy meal. Also, sandwiches take next to no time to make and are healthier than the majority of fast food.0
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I'm also going back to that successful weight everyone commented on.
I lost about 25lbs went down to 140lbs, though I wasn't happy, though I did look good, so the pounds just crept back up and now I'm at 155lbs, but this time I'm doing it the right way. Every day is a new opportunity for me, trying not to be overwhelmed. I'm now trying to be fitter, not just skinnier, a whole new approach. feel free to add me-
and NO, we are NOT BROKEN!0 -
It's a commitment. Period. Lifestyle change. Less in more out. You know it. Do it again, don't blame the girlfriend. Same here...I get lazy. But you have to be ready.0
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I think of this every time I go to the gym whatever I do I have to do for the rest of my life or I will lose it...IF I gain muscle I have to maintain it...So I do a some of everything and I don't max weights because I think if I get bigger in muscle mass I have to maintain that and who knows anything could happen and all of a sudden have no gym pass maybe..then what?So I do things I can maintain....I lost weight fast and inches in 6 weeks (lost 4 pants sizes because I was really dedicated to getting what I wanted)Then gained it back by drinking eating junk thinking my body would stay the same too...Unfortunately its a life change that keeps it.so my theroy is by 20 min....20 min cardio,20 min swim,20 min weights a day and always cook at home give my body variety in case I don't have the resources in any situation...0
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Cook together anyone can cook if you can read and fallow directions right?Justapinch.com pick out what looks and sounds good go to the store if you don't have the right stuff to make it~From May of 2011 to June 2012 I successfully stuck to a diet and exercise and managed to lose 74lbs from my fat body. I went from an all-time high of 288lbs to an adult-life all-time low of 214lbs. I ended up with an entirely new wardrobe because every single item I owned was too large to put on. I had people, from people I barely knew to close friends and family, call me skinny. And actually mean it! In March of 2012 I successfully ran my first 5k, and followed that up in September with a 2nd, where I improved my time by almost 5 minutes. I felt like I was at the top of the mountain, finally.
And then.....I don't know what happened.
It's like I just stopped. All of my goals accomplished, I felt cocky and whole for once and I went back to my old ways.
It was only supposed to be temporary. A cheat day here or there because, I thought, what would it matter?
But then it just turned into every day.
I think part of the problem, while I'm not fully blaming her, is because I eat how my fiance eats. She's 5'4'' and weighs 108 and has always been able to just eat whatever she wants without gaining anything. A typical days meal for her is no breakfast, fast food for lunch and fast food or pizza for dinner (she absolutely cannot cook, it's like her only flaw). Yes, she eats very small meals, but it's nothing but fast food. I, on the other hand, am 6'4'' and weigh much more than her, so I require more food! Say, for example, we go to Taco Bell. She'll get her never-changing meal of 1 cheese roll up and 1 Dorito taco with a large Pepsi....and I'll get 3 doritos tacos and something else along with a large drink for myself. I've tried to eat less, like her, but I'm just still starving after because I didn't get enough food, and I want that full feeling so I pig out to achieve it and then take in tons of calories.
Another factor is time. Due to an ever increasing work schedule, I've gone from working 38 hours a week a few years ago to over 60 a week now. I eat a quick breakfast, something low in calories because I can control it at that time of day, followed by a decent sized lunch (while still working, I don't really get a lunch break) and then I'll go home and eat a very unhealthy snack because I'm hungry followed up by usually getting obscene amounts of fast food before heading back to work (I'm a school librarian that is heavily involved in multiple sports at our school and therefore I am here 4 out of 5 nights a week doing something sports related). I don't have time to cook a good, healthy meal at home because I'm only home for an undetermined amount of time before having to go back to work, so I just get fast food cause it's quick and mobile.
Anyway, I've had "wake up calls" so to speak and gotten back on track....but it'll only last for like a week at most and I'm right back at it. When I first joined MFP and got my life in order, it seemed really simple. It took a few days to get under control and on track, but once I did I stuck with it and was up and running. Now it's like hitting "restart" every time only to have to do it again later because I can't seem to stick with it.
All told, I'm asking for help and input now because I need it. Since September of 2012, when I still weighed 214lbs, I've ballooned up to 254lbs. I've put on 40lbs in a year. In no way shape or form is that healthy for anyone! It's not all fat, thankfully, as some stuff, for whatever reason, has gotten very muscular on me. My biceps and legs are way bigger than ever before, but I do have a gut again and my clothes no longer fit. I had to go back up a size, even in pants. It's just embarrassing. Nobody tells me I look good anymore, sans my fiance. She says I look the same but I know that even she knows I've gotten big again and I'm embarrassed to be naked in front of her anymore because I don't want her seeing my gut. Sex with the lights off is extremely upsetting!
So.....am I broken? Can someone help? How do I do this, again? How do I get back on track and stay on track? I'm out of ideas and options!0 -
Oh, I am reminding myself constantly that this has to be a permanent life style change. I have these thoughts that once I reach my goal I can have what I want. You will get your mojo back. MFP is helping me stay on track. As one person said on here, sometimes you just have to make it through an hour, then another and soon you've made it through a hard time.0
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[snip]
I think part of the problem, while I'm not fully blaming her, is because I eat how my fiance eats.
[snip]
If there's anything "broken" about you, it's the fact that you don't feel you're the only one accountable for your weight.0 -
To (loosely) quote P!nk:
"You're not broken, just bent.
And you can get on track agaaaain!" :bigsmile:
You haven't failed until you've stopped trying. :flowerforyou:0 -
What is the 5:2 diet? I've never heard of that and it sounds interesting....
There is a 5:2 group here you can join. It's fasting for 2 nonconsecutive days (600 cals for men) and eating maintenance on the other 5 until you lose the desired weight. You do need to get back to tracking calories IMO, no matter what method you choose to use. I have MFP on my phone, so I can track no matter where I am. It really helps me decide whether or not to eat another sugar cookie or not. :bigsmile:
You KNOW how to do this. JUST DO IT.
<---tough coach face (haha) 0 -
Well first at least you are not back at 288 lbs. Press the stop button now!!! Go back to what motivated you in the first place to lose the weight. Stop feeling sorry for yourself as long as you are living there is another day to get back on track. Change your mindset This is going to be a life long lifestyle change forever. It's not lose the weight and go back to the old ways. Lose the 40s lbs. Keep the exercise in your life forever and you can have the fast food in moderation and still maintain.
Good luck!0 -
We are our own worst enemies for sure and it's often through failures that we learn to do better. That being said, you have obviously not given up as you are still here, failure is not a bad thing, it is merely a lesson for what not to do the next time. Keep on going, you have done it before and can do it again!0
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well go get fixed, everyone throws out the broken toys!0
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Planning! Do the grocery shopping, and have some healthy snacks around so you don't get to that place where you are starving, or so you can easily grab something healthy right when you get home. If you don't have time to cook after work, there are other options other than fast food. Prepare some meals ahead of time on the weekends, or you can get a crock pot, throw the food into it in the morning and it will be ready when you get home. Who knows, your girlfriend might enjoy eating better food for dinner as well, and jump on board. You can do this, it just takes planning!0
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I have such a long way to go and it's so overwhelming. But OP, I have found great inspiration and motivation and insight from a book called The Gabriel Method by Jon Gabriel. It provides very fresh perspectives and is really helping me adopt the "lifestyle" approach in lieu of the "diet" approach. I mean, REALLY helping. In some surprising ways, in fact. I was convinced that my weight didn't carry emotional or mental issues, but I was wrong!
You can find it very cheap used on Amazon. Or free here, but not sure if this puts you on a mailing list:
http://www.gabrielmethod.com/
(He weighed over 400 lbs and now maintains a very lean, healthy weight based on a very unique perspective he shares in his book, heavily based in well-cited science. It's very good reading, even though I'm not 100% into 100% of what he says. I am getting a lot of great insights, though, and a lot of really makes sense to me.)0 -
My suggestions:
Cook good, healthy meals on your days off. Divide up and use the leftovers for lunches on work days so you are getting a satisfying amount of good food at lunch - I find this helps control the after-work cravings (and if you aren't snacking after work, you have more time to prepare a good dinner).
I admit I also buy boxes of granola bars and keep them as "emergency rations" (usually in my desk at work - I can munch one in the car on the way home). There are lots of types and brands that are reasonable calorie (<200), and I find they are good as a go-to when you just CAN'T make it to dinner but don't want to stuff yourself. I'm not usually a pre-packaged fan, but at least they are individually packaged and I can stop after having just ONE.
There are lots of good cookbooks out there with suggestions for "20 minute meals" and such, something like that might be a good investment. Things that make for quick and healthy meals: omelettes loaded with veggies, stir fry meat and veg over a small amount of rice or noodles, baked fish, pretty much anything cooked on the grill (I like skewers of meat and veg, they are quick and easy and you can prepare them with whatever is in the fridge). Check out slow-cookers and their recipe books - you can get the food going in the morning and it is all ready for you when you get home...no snacking!
You know you can do this, you've done it before. The trick now is to make it a permanent change! Maybe your girlfriend would be interested in learning to cook with you! It can be a fun thing to do together.0 -
I feel for you man, I know that feeling all too well wanting the lights out. You have done it before and frankly no amount of advice from me or anyone else is going to amount to much unless you just reach inside and want it. There is no magic sauce we can pour over our meals. I struggle with having junk food around me all day every day. I own my own business and I travel often so I'm constantly eating out. When I get home I have a 15 year old boy who can eat all day long and our house is filled with chips and oreos and whatever other kind of junk there is out there. The fridge is filled with stuff I cannot eat anymore and I know how painful it is to look in there and just want that food. I have zero time for much. But here is the thing. As we get older life gets busier and busier. It just does so you might as well just get on board with that concept. What I do is just MAKE time for it. I say NO with authority and dont worry about what others think. You must change the way you live but honestly, some diets are good kick-starters to getting on the right path. Try whatever sounds good to you but realize at the beginning that its our habits that need to be changed and no temporary diet will likely help you with that. Exercise, eat less calories than you burn...right? Its the only sure-fire way I know of to lose pounds.
When I started I thought I had it all figured out. I'll just do this low carb thing (which I still do but I know its not sustainable) and all will be well. Sure, I lost weight and I've continued to lose weight but I doubt that after the initial two weeks it has/had much to do with the carbs. What I discovered and anyone including yourself knows this already...it really just curbed my appetite and in the end it boiled down to calories in vs out. Thats it, you could eat cupcakes every day and still lose weight so long as your output outpaces the the input. So what I do every day is just focus on getting to the end of day without eating too many calories and making sure that I am active enough to bump up my calories burned. I use whatever tools are available to me, my fitbit, MFP, and anything else that I think will help me keep my mind right about what it is I'm trying to do.
So dont even wait another minute, dont say I'll get on that tomorrow just start this instant. When you get home from a long day...go for a walk...dont sit down!!! That was my worst habit ever. Once I sat down it was over. Plan stuff to do. Stick to your plan. You just have to want to do it. Its all on your shoulders really. But when you do decide make sure you help someone else. Help anyone. Own your task and be willing to stand by it by helping another.
Then go turn the lights back on brotha! Wishing you huge success!0 -
I think part of the problem, while I'm not fully blaming her, is because I eat how my fiance eats. She's 5'4'' and weighs 108 and has always been able to just eat whatever she wants without gaining anything. A typical days meal for her is no breakfast, fast food for lunch and fast food or pizza for dinner (she absolutely cannot cook, it's like her only flaw). Yes, she eats very small meals, but it's nothing but fast food.
Good to hear you're not 'fully' blaming her... *eyeroll*
Seriously dude, she is staying under her calories, even if the food she eats is lacking in nutrients. You're not. You are eating over your calorie goal. You don't have to eat the same type of food as her, or go to the same places all the time. Give and take. And why is not being able to cook a 'flaw'? Can you cook? So make the food!
Look to yourself and you'll get back on track. All the best.0 -
You guys all rock. Thanks for the support and info.
And I realize now I made it sound like I am blaming my fiance. I'm not. I blame myself for eating the meals I do when I'm with her. That's what I meant. I'm jealous of how she can eat and so I emulate it only to find myself where I am now.
I'm "broken" in that I no longer have self control, basically.0 -
Lots of excuses... you could always batch cook your proteins and precut your veggies for salads.....
A nice chunk of chicken and an entire bag of steamed veggies is ready in 8 minutes.... or a huge salad could be put together in 5 minutes topped.... or a some Hungry Girl mexican Beef in the crock pot (5 mins in the morning) and 5 minutes... with some steamed veggies and a couple of tortillas....
It's about choosing to plan ahead. I'm a single mom with a not quite two year old and a just turned 3 year old who works a full time job... I don't have the time to spend ages in the kitchen..... I plan ahead.
If you are starving when you get home.. have the premeasured servings of hummus and carrotts waiting and snack on that while you "fix" supper....0 -
Everyone has given you great ideas for your food planning so I won't go there, but about the self-conscious side of you, turning the lights off with your lady... I know from personal experience, being a girl and all, that regardless of my weight, how I look in those moments are on my mind, not how my man looks. I've been losing weight over the last few months and my boyfriend has been slowly gaining, but I'm not thinking about how he's starting to get moobies (man-boobies) or that his belly is hanging over. I'm thinking about how my belly looks right now, is he seeing my double-chin from that angle or whatever. I'm too worried about me being able to turn him on than anything else. I can't always "get into it," my mind is on the basket of laundry or my flab or the trip to the bank I have to make... Sometimes anyway. Your lady is probably not worried about you because she's thinking about what you're thinking about her. Hope I confused you enough. Don't worry, man. Hopefully your lady is understanding and loves you for you anyway. 0
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I think there are a few things you could do to help your cause and get you back on track.
1. Talk to your fiancee about your feelings. She may not want or need to change how she eats, but she needs to respect and support you if YOU do.
2. Couples cooking classes? I know you mentioned time constraints but I'm sure you could find something that would work. A lot of these types of classes are offered in the evenings to better accomodate schedules.
3. Make a list, plan your meals out and buy the food to prepare them. Cook at home on the weekends and pre-package everything for quick meals on the go. You can even cook your veggies ahead of time then freeze them in single serving packages.
4. When you get home at night, if you have all your meals for the week already prepared, then you can grab what you want, heat it up and have a healthy meal before you have to go to work. As far as snacks go, have various fruits on hand, veggies that are pre-cut and ready to be eaten and many nuts are very healthy as well.
5. First and foremost, start this NOW. You can begin to work on your weight simply by eating better and the exercise can come later.
Good luck!! :flowerforyou:0 -
Some great advice on this page.
I recommend some positive thinking. It's not "failure", it's "feedback". You didn't fail at anything, you merely learned what happens when you lead an unhealthy lifestyle. You put on weight this week? Shrug. Oh well, just get back to burning fat this week. You coach sports? Well, just like you tell the kids on the football field, "Take the hit, but keep going forward."
"Broken"? Not hardly! "Frustrated"? That's far more fixable!
Making time to prepare meals is "hard?" No it's not, it's "challenging".
The "planning" advice is among the best listed on this page. There are really no healthy lunch options for me at work, so I bring a lunch every day, along with some fruit for snacks (or yogurt, if you like it, wish I did). Cooking a healthy dinner doesn't take any time at all! You can fry up shrimp or salmon and microwave a bag of fresh chopped veggies a LOT faster than you can get the pizza guy to show up or make a run to Taco Bell (don't be scared by the word "fry", one little TBSP of butter or EVOO spread over an entire meal isn't the calorie bomb that we've been misled to believe), and the clean-up afterwards only takes two minutes (the non-stick pan wipes clean under running water, don't even need soap; everything else gets a quick rinse on the way to the dishwasher; wipe down the counter/stovetop and you're done). Bake or grill some chicken on your night off, and make enough to reheat leftovers for a couple of days after that.
I sound like some kitchen wiz, but last year, I was no different than you, thinking that learning how to cook would be an overwhelming, scary, and time-consuming endeavor. I was shocked to discover that it's none of those things.
Here's an example. Tell me what part of this you can't do:
1. Go to WalMart. Here's your shopping list:
--12 oz package of fresh chopped broccoli florets (produce section)
--16 oz package of Wild Salmon Fillets (frozen fish section)
--onion powder, garlic powder, (spice aisle--don't be frightened nor overwhelmed by it!)
--Extra Virgin Olive Oil (baking aisle, if you don't already have this in the house)
That's it. If a trip to Walmart sounds more time-consuming than a trip to Taco Bell, keep in mind that when you get in the swing of this, you'll be picking up several meals at a time at the grocery soon, which will make these trips LESS time-consuming, not more.
2. Let the salmon thaw. When you're ready to cook it, take it out of the package, lay it on the counter, and generously cover both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder (this is fun!).
3. Put a large non-stick frying pan on the stove, turn the dial to medium. Pour in 1 TBSP EVOO, let it get hot. That's all the measuring you need to do, there's nothing overwhelming about it, no "kitchen talent" needed. If your measurement is off by a few drops, who cares? No one is going to notice, we're not building an atom bomb here.
4. Add salmon to the pan, 4-5 minutes each side, turning it just once. That's it, that's you're entire effort with this.
5. While that's cooking, and you're standing there sipping water because you have nothing else to do, poke some holes in the broccoli package with a fork, drop it in the microwave holes-side-up for 3.5-4 mins (I like my broccoli super-soft, so I go the full 4 mins).
6. Serve.
And you thought this was going to be tough? Best part, this is WAY more delicious than anything Taco Bell has. Losing the starchy side dishes (potatoes/rice/pasta) cuts out most of the calories AND prep/cleanup time! Meat and veggies are all you need, you won't even miss that other stuff when you see their numbers disappear from your calorie diary. Don't need any bread, either.
Message me if you want a few more "incredibly simple, fast, and yummy" recipes. I don't have many, I tend to eat the same few things over and over, but for you, it could be the start of an incredibly rewarding expansion of your horizons if it gets you in the kitchen.0
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