I CAN'T be healthy! Someone help me!?

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Replies

  • caroldavison332
    caroldavison332 Posts: 864 Member
    I'm 53 have 30% disabled feet work 60 hour weeks but find 9 hours a week for exercise. shopping. and cook too. Here is how I do it:

    Fridays I eat yucky but good for me fish

    Saturday I start my day cooking a pot of beans to remind myself to eat, Exercise and shop for strength.

    Sunday I make a hearty bean soup and meat or fish loaf burgers that I freeze to eat all week. I also make 2 quarts of yes its bland cinnamon oatmeal for daily breakfast and hard boil 7 eggs for lunch to all week.

    Monday-sunday:: oatmeal ground flax seed and dried fruit for breakfast. One piece of dried fruit for puppy.

    Lunch hard boiled egg and Dr Joel fuhrman anti cancer gombs salad bitter greens collard kale turnip greens watercress. Onions. Mushroom. Beans. Berries. Seeds. No dressing,meat, cheese.


    Dinner:lean protein 2 cup highly nourishing vets and aramath, quiona, oatmeal or brown rice.

    snack: 100 calories of superb chocolate. I either eat it or just rub it directly on my body and 1 ounce nuts.

    Exercise: I walk 24 miles and climb 80 stairs Monday to Friday. Saturday- Sunday I play non retrieving fetch with my Siberian husky pup at the dog park. I throw the ball. Tater brings it halfway back. I walk over bend down and pick it up and trow it again 1.000.000 times or until I scream or puke whichever comes first. Puppy knows that I'm the one that needs the exercise.
  • paula5077
    paula5077 Posts: 57
    I just cant be healthy. Let me explain my issue quickly. First I was into dieting and all, but after 2 years of drastic weight loss and weight gain I gave up for like 5 months only to start a new diet every month. I would always say "This June" Or This "November".....It never lasted longer than 10 days. And now recently I've discovered its bad to diet. Your supposed to want a healthy LIFESTYLE. Not just a quick weight loss.

    So now here I am struggling to be healthy for a couple of reasons

    1. I don't know how to cook at all! (Not healthy foods) Im more of a frozen dinner person

    2. I am SO used to failing that I just don't believe I can do. I think "Whats so different from Last summer? December? November?

    3. Whenever I start trying to eat healthy My sister sees me and asks "Starting a diet" I reply yes. But we both know its going to fail.

    And lastly 4. I'm STRUGGLING SO MUCH with wanting to be a normal eater. I just wanna be one of those people whose lives don't REVOLVE around food! Those normal people barley think about food. They get to be normal eaters. Why Cant I be like that?


    ok best thing I can tell you is...1st, change your out look! Stop thinking you can't, stop thinking it wont work. Be positive!!! :) it does not matter when you start. if you set a date and it doesn't work out you'll just keep doing the same thing. Just get up one morning and do it! You CAN do it!!
    2nd, you don't have to be able to cook to eat healthy. I cook way way less now than I did. Rather than a heat up dinner or cooking in general, eat a tuna and avocado sandwich. Eat a pb and banana dip on apples or toast or just by the spoonful. You can even buy already boiled eggs if you have to! Instant oatmeal even. there are tons of options if you look. And if it helps do not think of it as a diet, look at it as learning new ways to eat, that's what I had to do. And if you go over your calorie count don't sweat it too much at first as long as you ate healthy vs boxed dinner or fast food.
    3rd, YOU CAN DO IT! BE POSITIVE! :-D
  • ovi212
    ovi212 Posts: 145 Member
    Bit by bit you will get better. You'll just have to use a lot of effort and self control. Maybe start with 1 meal at a time? Try making yourself a healthy breakfast every day for the 1st week for example. An easy healthy breakfast I make is greek yogurt (they even come in 50 cal pots now!) and egg whites (I just microwave them!) and then add a fruit if you're still hungry. Then the next week try adding in lunches. Do you buy your lunch everyday? Try packing it or buying salads instead. You could bring hard boiled eggs, fruit and yogurt, precooked chicken from the grocery store, peanut butter sandwiches or cold meat sandwiches. Then the next week add in your own dinner. The grocery store sells great rotisserie chicken, frozen salmon fillets cook in the oven in like 20 min (no effort!), baked potatoes in the microwave (5min!), throw some vegetables in a pot while the meat is cooking (even chicken breast you can throw in the oven for 25 min with no effort) or buy frozen vegetables you just have to microwave. Then after you've got that all conquered fix your snacking. I love oatmeal as a night time snack (just instant oats with water and fruit cooked for like 2min in the microwave), fruit, atkins bars, kashi bars, veggies and dip, cereal, air popped popcorn or the smart pop bags, yogurt..there are so many easy options. So in 4 weeks you could totally ease yourself into making yourself all healthy meals all day! Also, if you lack time to exercise I always get about 25min in when my dinner is cooking :)

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  • acarrillo2012
    acarrillo2012 Posts: 34 Member
    I don't like to cook either. There's good advice on here about easy stuff you could cook but - even if you don't cook at all there are ways you could make incremental changes that would help. One thing I started doing is to have a bowl of soup (just microwaved) or an apple or banana 20 minutes before eating a meal. This is a way to fill up on healthy low calorie foods so it's easier to stick to the intended serving size of the main meal. Then even if you're eating frozen dinners, look at the nutritional info when you buy them and pay attention to serving sizes.

    I heard it takes a month to develop a habit. So make gradual changes and focus on sustaining those changes until they become habit. I think when you set a goal like "be healthy" it is feeling overwhelming to you. So set smaller goals at first like "eat more fruit" or "drink 2 extra glasses of water a day" or "substitute mustard for mayo." Stuff like that. Then build up confidence, little changes like that will add up.
  • _HeartsOnFire_
    _HeartsOnFire_ Posts: 5,304 Member
    I just cant be healthy. Let me explain my issue quickly. First I was into dieting and all, but after 2 years of drastic weight loss and weight gain I gave up for like 5 months only to start a new diet every month. I would always say "This June" Or This "November".....It never lasted longer than 10 days. And now recently I've discovered its bad to diet. Your supposed to want a healthy LIFESTYLE. Not just a quick weight loss.

    First let me just say that if you say that you can't, then you're right. You can't. But if you say that you can and you will...Well that's a whole new ballgame. It does also need to be a lifestyle change not a diet. It's about eating all the foodz, but in moderation NOT deprivation. People often fail because they say that they can't have whatever food because it is bad. There's no bad food. There's only bad eating habits. People also fail because they go straight to a 1200 calorie that's it a day diet. It's not-sustainable unless you're a pretty petite person. I eat TDEE-%. I eat 1800 calories a day. I eat/drink what I want as long as it fits. I'm losing weight.
    So now here I am struggling to be healthy for a couple of reasons
    1. I don't know how to cook at all! (Not healthy foods) Im more of a frozen dinner person

    If you can check out groupon/livingsocial/amazon deals, they have cooking classes all the time. Look up healthy grocery stores in your area, sometimes they have little classes. Or I am willing to bet there are TONS of cooking instruction videos on YouTube.

    I understand the frozen dinner thing, it can be easier, especially for me who is single. I'll sometimes make a Gardein Mandarin Orange Chik'n package and throw in steamed broccoli (also frozen). It's good and usually about 2 meals.
    2. I am SO used to failing that I just don't believe I can do. I think "Whats so different from Last summer? December? November?

    First and foremost, forgive yourself for the past. We have all been there and if you stay in that train of thought then you'll stay stuck. Realize that the past is just that, the past. You cannot move forward if you're always looking in the rear view mirror.
    3. Whenever I start trying to eat healthy My sister sees me and asks "Starting a diet" I reply yes. But we both know its going to fail.

    See response to #2. Also if she asks that, tell her no. That you are making a lifestyle change. That's it.
    And lastly 4. I'm STRUGGLING SO MUCH with wanting to be a normal eater. I just wanna be one of those people whose lives don't REVOLVE around food! Those normal people barley think about food. They get to be normal eaters. Why Cant I be like that?

    You CAN be like that. Believe in yourself. DO NOT DEPRIVE yourself of foods you love, it's about moderation NOT deprivation.

    I do recommend getting a food scale and weighing your foods.
  • What if. Consider this. What if you already are normal?
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I just cant be healthy. Let me explain my issue quickly. First I was into dieting and all, but after 2 years of drastic weight loss and weight gain I gave up for like 5 months only to start a new diet every month. I would always say "This June" Or This "November".....It never lasted longer than 10 days. And now recently I've discovered its bad to diet. Your supposed to want a healthy LIFESTYLE. Not just a quick weight loss.

    So now here I am struggling to be healthy for a couple of reasons

    1. I don't know how to cook at all! (Not healthy foods) Im more of a frozen dinner person

    2. I am SO used to failing that I just don't believe I can do. I think "Whats so different from Last summer? December? November?

    3. Whenever I start trying to eat healthy My sister sees me and asks "Starting a diet" I reply yes. But we both know its going to fail.

    And lastly 4. I'm STRUGGLING SO MUCH with wanting to be a normal eater. I just wanna be one of those people whose lives don't REVOLVE around food! Those normal people barley think about food. They get to be normal eaters. Why Cant I be like that?
    Sounds like a list of excuses to me. If you want it you'll do it. I'm afraid everyones life revolves around food. We need food to exist so we need get a healthy relationship. Don't start another diet just work out a reasonable healthy calorie deficit log all your foods and eat. Introduce some exercise and get those good habits going. We can all say how we can't do things but think about what you can do. there is no physical reason that you can't lose weight or get healthy the only thing that is stopping you is yourself. You have the tools MFP give you those and there is plenty of good support here. So just go and do it not tomorrow now. Good luch
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    Almost everytime that i fall off the wagon, I usually end up telling myself at least on 4 different occasions that i WILL start up again, and I never do. Then something clicks in my head that makes it a complete game changer.

    I was the same way with smoking. It had to click in my head, and then quitting was no problem at all. I was a nail biter most of my life, and then 3 weeks ago i decided i was done, and I haven't done it since.

    Monday was my start up day for getting back in the gym and counting calories accurately and I feel good about it. I don't walk over and start eating candy out of boredom. I plan my meals and stick to it. That's just how my mind works.

    I have also learned that losing weight is far easier to maintain if you don't restrict yourself too much. Too low of calories, or cutting out multiple kinds of food is basically setting yourself up for failure. I'm having cake tonight, and I have planned around that. That's how i will be able to succeed.
  • KetosisTina
    KetosisTina Posts: 197 Member
    Oh, and as for cooking - honey, please. A crockpot and microwave can do wonders for someone inexperienced in the kitchen. You don't have to be a gourmet chef to create edible, healthy, even tasty meals. Some of the best dishes we make are the least complicated. Crockpots especially are amazing - usually you just layer stuff in and turn it on. And if you live alone, that's 4-6 meals for you, easy-peasy.


    So agree on the crockpot. I have a 6 qt one with a timer. I just Googled EASY healthy crockpot recipes. Most are literally just throw stuff in with water (some chicken and veggies and spices) cover .. come back in X time. You have meals for 3 or 4 days.

    The hardest part was cleaning the pot and that wasn't that hard.

    Instead of CAN'T, use "I currently struggle with" It will get better.
  • da_bears10089
    da_bears10089 Posts: 1,791 Member
    AND there is nothing wrong with frozen meals. If eating them will keep you on track then by all means do it.
  • Just remember, it takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends to notice and 12 weeks for the rest of the world. With this in mind give it 12 weeks, don't give up. Good luck
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    You CAN do it, if you want to.

    Change is difficult but not impossible.

    Cooking is not hard, it just takes some planning. Agree with those who suggested crock pot. The hardest thing is chopping up veggies. Make your own frozen dinners, freeze your crockpot meals into single portions. Buy a bag of salad and there you have a meal. Tons of resources on learning to cook. Tons of simple things you can cook. You don't have to turn into some famous chef or have to learn all these advanced techniques and special cuisine (unless you want to, once you learn some basics and find you enjoy it).

    Your biggest issue is changing your attitude. Once you decide, then you take steps to change your habits. Once you start taking positive steps, you will realize that this is totally possible. You just need to decide you want to do it, and then you keep deciding to stick with it.
  • fitnessenchanted
    fitnessenchanted Posts: 41 Member
    wow thanks everyone for the help. This morning I was on my laptop looking up healthy recipes I can try. Im going to the store in about an hour to get the ingredients for it. Im going to have to buy alot of healthy foods and snacks because my family does not eat healthy whatsoever and I obviously cant throw out their food so I will just store my snacks away from theirs so Im not tempted. I feel really motivated to continue and Im going to make it last.

    Thanks again to everyone who replied.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    First of all starting with the word I can't is a poor excuse. You can if you wanted to. STOP using that word. Get off your butt and get moving.
  • iAmStarStuff27
    iAmStarStuff27 Posts: 109 Member
    Can't...that the issue. Try working can into your vocabulary. Took me 2 years to get truly focused but now it's cake and I'm never turning back.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    Try looking at the photo albums on this facebook page, it has step by step instructions with pictures for recipes.

    https://www.facebook.com/TheSassyGourmet

    Dont try it all at once. Just make better choices tomorrow than you did today, and the day after, make a better choice than you did the day before. I did it slow, over a period of years. I did not restrict myself to fast to soon. I started with cutting some bad things out and then started exercising then started adding in some really good things and cutting more bad things out.

    So dont diet, just make better choices, it does not have to be an all or nothing kind of deal.
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    wow thanks everyone for the help. This morning I was on my laptop looking up healthy recipes I can try. Im going to the store in about an hour to get the ingredients for it. Im going to have to buy alot of healthy foods and snacks because my family does not eat healthy whatsoever and I obviously cant throw out their food so I will just store my snacks away from theirs so Im not tempted. I feel really motivated to continue and Im going to make it last.

    Thanks again to everyone who replied.

    Please trust me when I say, do not "buy a lot" of healthy food. What will happen is it will go to waste. Buy a little bit of it, then after you eat that, go buy some more. So often we make up our mind we are going to eat healthy, go spend a crap load of money on healthy food, which generally means fresh produce, which goes bad. So, buy a few pieces of fruit, enough veggies for a salad or two and a couple yogurts and go from there.
  • 2dogzrule
    2dogzrule Posts: 245 Member
    Why don't you learn how to cook if the food part is a challenge? You have to change your mind set and leave the excuses and negativity behind. If you fail, there is only one person that is accountable, and that is you. You either want something badly enough or you don't. Sorry to be tough, but it sounds like you need some tough love.
  • Jade0529
    Jade0529 Posts: 213 Member
    Sorry but your excuses are lame! You are an adult so act like one. You have learned these excuses so unlearn them

    As a kid I was taught the most basic cooking by my mother who hated to cook. As a teenager (13) I had to do work on the weekends cleaning and doing other things so I taped PBS cooking shows so I could watch them later. I took notes, I copied recipes, I tried them out on my family,and slowly I learned to cook more an more. Were they all great meals? no. Did I over cook pasta and burn meat at first? yes. But I learned, and so can you.

    Now of course all that knowledge is on the internet but I still totally recommend PBS cooking shows. They are really some of the best sources of information

    You have to want this change for you. No matter what your sister or anyone else says to you.
  • BreAnn267
    BreAnn267 Posts: 46
    I was the same way. I always gave up easily. Not this time.

    It's not about the food or exercise.....it's about your life. Either you want it or you don't. If you assume you will fail, then you will. You have to be willing to change who you are and how you live if you want to succeed with this. You have to decide that first and be willing to do whatever it takes to get there. My first step was telling my "I am going to do this." I made a promise to myself and I was tired of all the broken promises, so this time I will do this. You can too if you really want to.
  • Skylark74
    Skylark74 Posts: 58 Member
    Think of this as day one on a journey to a new you and a chance to learn new skills. Find foods you like and use the internet to find new/healthier ways of preparing them, mix & match something familiar with something unusual. Granted you may not always like the results but that is where your frozen meals can come in as back-up options.

    Treat your kitchen as a playground or gym - have fun and experiment, you can use your tinned goods as mini dumbbells, or even just dance around while you are waiting for the microwave to go ping.

    The main thing is to have fun and approach it all with a positive attitude. You can do it. !!! :drinker:
  • Sharon_C
    Sharon_C Posts: 2,132 Member
    I've come to terms with the fact that I'm never going to be one of "those" people. The normal people who don't think of food constantly. I'm always thinking of food and I fear I always will. But its how I control those thoughts that count. I don't usually deprive myself of anything. I've learned portion control and I've learned will power. I discovered that I love going to the gym and exercising. I use that to my advantage.

    You also have to want it bad. You have to hit that rock bottom where you just know you can't get any lower. Then you will want it bad enough to stick to it.