Starving vs. Eating Junk

I perfectly understand your dilemma. Have you ever tried healthy choice, steamers, they are low in sodium and most of them are 300 calories and under. I usually eat one for lunch and it is quite filling. I hope this helps. Anything in moderation is fine.

You can look up nutrition info on subway, and most restaurants and plan your calories in advance.
No way could I not eat.... I think my problem is, I stay in my calories and I do great, but some of those calories aren't that great I know. I think you could start looking up product nutrtion info too, and logging your calories will help you say on track.
It could be work, yes, but it's worth it!

It's really hard... but you have the internet at your fingertips. Google, google, google! There are endless recipes/ideas out there.

For lunch, when I'm at work, I usually have some kind of meat (turkey meatballs, pork tenderloin, chicken, etc) in a salad or over vegetables or in a wrap... I always just try and put together some kind of vegetable, protein and complex carb. Sometimes my foods don't "go together" but it doesn't matter. I had to read and learn A LOT to get on the right track.

I work full time, go to school part time, run 20+ miles a week (that is 200 minutes of running plus travel time), participate in boot camp (another 2 hours a week + travel time), volunteer in two organizations, and have a family. I still manage not to eat out of a vending machine. You have time to cook. You just need to plan ahead so you don't sabotage your efforts. Now for my ideas...

A recipe book I recommend is by Bill Phillips, Eating for Life. His recipes generally are for just 1 to 2 servings, but can be up to 4 servings. The left overs will be your lunch the next day. So cook once, and you have at least two meals. His meals are very simple and tasty - as a new cook you should not have any problems. Try the book out from your library, then if you like it, buy a used one from Amazon or half.com. ISBN: 0972018417. I think I got mine for $8 from Amazon a year or two ago.

Invest in an ice pack and a lunch box. Take your snacks and lunch with you for the day. For snacks (and he also mentions these in his book), try an apple with string cheese, or sugar free yogurt and strawberries, or an orange and handful of almonds. Essentially you want some protein, some fat, and some carbs.

It quite easy to put your body into starvation mode , therefore you wont lose weight.

It may seem hard but I think you should try and pre pack some lunches/snacks , take a little bit of time before going to bed and make something. even if you have a day where you have some extra spare time then make some meals for the coming week.

I also wouldnt worry trying to reach your goals so quick , I did that some years ago (and you mentioned on your profile you have too ) , if you dont do it right your more likely to fail at it.

Take your time , eat well and the results will happen. You can do it.

If you have 15 minutes, you have more than enough time to put some chicken tenderloins in a non-stick pan (add a bit of olive oil so they don't stick), dash on a little seasoning, cook for 5 minutes, and flip over to cook the other side. While that's going, make a salad or carrots or cut up some fruit or saute some spinach with a little bit of onion or some mushrooms.

If chicken's not your thing - try some sort of fish.

If that's too much to handle - go to the grocery store and buy pre-cooked chicken breasts (or whatever protein you like) and get some frozen veggies that you can steam in the microwave.

Scramble up some eggs for dinner every once in a while. Make an fritatta by sauteeing up some veggies (onions, mushrooms, whatever), bacon if you want, then add 3 eggs (scramble in bowl first) - stick in 350 degree oven until eggs are set and not runny. Eat. Make hard boiled eggs for a quick snack or lunch.

Make your own healthy version of subway - the grocery store has all the ingredients ready, just assemble and bring in a cooler. Try Greek yogurt for a high-protein snack or meal (I like to get plain and sweeten with a little honey and vanilla).

Open up a can of beans and eat with your protein, or wrap in a whole wheat tortilla and make a burrito.

Get Mark Bittman's book - How to Cook Everything. Super simple, very straightforward, and he assumes you know nothing. It is my Bible in the kitchen.

You CAN do this. It's just a matter of wanting it enough! You'll enjoy your youth a lot more if you're happy with your weight, no?

Your not doing bad hushhush , and not eating junk food is a great start.

My concern is your not eating enough calories therefore your drop will into starvation mode. That doesnt mean you are starving yourself so to speak but your body doesnt burn what it should but stores the fats.

If you exercise then you have to eat more to prevent going into starvation mode.

Eating 5 to 6 small meals is the way to go , it trains your body and your metabbolism increases ,therefore you burn more. Skipping meals only damages you and thats speaking from experience.

Stay positive hushhush , glance through the threads there is a wealth of imformation on MFP.

No body is perfect , I fall into bad practices all the time but Im not going to give up.

Well, here’s the truth. Yes, if you maintain a calorie deficit, you can lose weight by eating out a vending machine. You do not *have* to eat healthy to lose weight. You have to eat healthy if you want to look good naked. You have to eat healthy if you want to avoid being a normal weight person who has an obese person’s risk for diabetes and heart disease. So, balance it out. If eating healthy and making healthy choices seems impossible, or is something you don’t want to invest time in, then eat as you always have. Log it. Are you going to have optimal energy? No. Are you going to get six-pack abs? No. But you can still lose weight, if that’s your priority. but if you want to feel and look as good as possible, you’re going to have to step outside of your comfort zone, start to learn about food, and learn how to cook some of the food you eat.

I've been there. But I learned that taking my own lunch was just a much easier route to go. I usually didn't have access to a microwave so I ate lots of sandwiches but mixed it up so I wouldn't get bored. I also mixted up the fruits and veggies I would take with my to eat with my lunch and for snacks. I would make my own 100 calories snack packs in a zip lock bag that were easy to grab and go. You just have to learn what is easiest for you and go with it; you will learn as you go along.

Also, Slimfast is four dollars for a pack of six.
That's breakfast and dinner for three days for only four dollars.
It's actually a VERY cheap option.

Where I live it is almost 10 for a six pack. And nutritionally you could b

Also, Slimfast is four dollars for a pack of six.
That's breakfast and dinner for three days for only four dollars.
It's actually a VERY cheap option.

Where I live it is almost 10 for a six pack. And nutritionally you could b

be making a much more filling meal at home. Im kind of confused to why you asked for advice? Are you finding any of these replies as something that might help?