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Need Ideas Please

4Iron
4Iron Posts: 2 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have been lurking on MFP for a while now trying to get some insight into how to lose the extra 25 lbs I'm carrying. At the risk of telling my entire life story, I'll give a little background on my current living situation:

I'm a single mom of an 8 yo daughter (dad gets her every other week). I work full time at a job that I really love. I own my home and just had fiancé move in (getting married in May - that's my deadline for my weight loss). I also need to mention that my mother and brother are currently living with me as well (don't ask, I can't get rid of either of them at this point). My mother pays for almost all the food - expenses are VERY tight, although with fiancé moving in that will help a little.
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My biggest struggle is my nutrition. With mom buying the food, I get little opinion on what is purchased. Translation: mom loves processed junk food. I do try to buy chicken and hamburger for meals, but don't have a lot of spare cash. Not to mention the fact that mac and cheese is more popular in my house than anything else. My fiancé is supportive and willing to help - but couldn't cook his way out of a paper bag. (It's bad, folks, real bad).

Been discussing with fiancé the idea of forking out the $$ to join Nutri-system or Jenny Craig but I might as well just spend the $$ at the store and prepare myself. The main benefit to either of the plans is that the food is already done for me and delivered. Plus, no one in the house has to suffer with eating it - they can eat what they want. I realize that the temptation will still be there to eat the junk food, but at least this way I'll have easy things on hand I can either open or throw in the microwave instead of giving in to whatever they're eating.

Bottom line is - I need help! I know that I'm just facing struggles that everyone else has. I'm just trying to find the best path for me. I'm not happy with myself at my current weight and I know what it's like to feel and be healthier. Anyone want to throw some ideas or suggestions at me? All are welcome - I'm starting from ground zero.

Thank you all who read this!

Replies

  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    If Mom is living with you, why don't you have the right to suggest she buy some healthier food. Yes, it's her money, but she's in your house.

    I would argue against Nutri-system or Jenny Craig if money is tight. These are convenient, but they are far from inexpensive. You'd be better off buying frozen diet meals from the store (Lean Cuisine, Healthy Choice, etc.) if you really don't want to spend the time cooking.

    Try looking online for lower calorie crockpot, soup or stew recipes that you can use for several meals.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    The first thing you need to do is start accurately logging what you are eating, so you know where your starting point is. If your mom won't choose better options, do you at least know what is going into them so you can log it?

    Then, why don't you try just buying small portions of easy, fit-on-your-plan options at the supermarket? Like fruit, veggies, eggs, oatmeal, etc. Then eat a little of what your mom makes, and add a scrambled egg and veggies, or an apple and a piece of chicken, or something like that, for yourself? That way you can still have some of what everyone else is having, but lower the calories in your meal.

    I did try some Nutrisystem food, and it was not all that great. A few options were okay, but not any better than eating a hardboiled egg and some stir fried veggies :p
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I was thinking the same thing. If Mom's contribution to the household expenses is paying for groceries, then you absolutely should have a say in it. Maybe you could all sit down together and plan meals and shop together though to make it easier? Go over the weekly fliers from the local grocery stores online, etc.

    If you're looking for convenience, you'd probably be better off buying SmartOnes. Programs like JennyCraig don't provide your total daily nutrition - you'll have to spend even more money on the additional fruits and veggies. Totally not worth it. I'm sure you can find time on the weekend to prepare some meals for the week if you think that'll make life easier. Check out websites like skinnytaste.com for healthy but family friendly ideas.
  • BRaye325
    BRaye325 Posts: 1,383 Member
    First of all you need to decide, who do you want to be? The success will ultimately be up to you.
    It doesn't sound like your situation is going to help you. Particularly having negative eating influences around you and in control of the grocery store.
    I would recommend that you start with these three goals:
    1) Log everything you consume everyday in MFP
    2) Work on your fiance to join you on MFP for his fitness and weight loss/maintenance.
    3) Start working on your Mom to buy some fruit and veggies.
    The commitment to MFP will keep you on track.
    The partnership with your fiance will give you an allie when things get tough and maybe help your relationship
    Getting your Mom buying healthier food will work if she sees it being eaten and it may even rub off on her.
  • 4Iron
    4Iron Posts: 2 Member
    These are all excellent ideas and have refueled my desire to get this household turned around to eating healthier (as best I can). I was thinking that my fiancé is willing to help me financially with JC or Nutri-system, so why not just use the money that would go to that instead to purchase what I need at the store? It's about motivation - and I absolutely can find time to make ahead a few meals for the week. At this point it's got to be about planning. Thank you all for the great suggestions! I'm going to go enter my food into my diary RIGHT NOW.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    You don't necessarily have to change your eating habits at all to lose weight -- all you have to do is eat less of what you're already eating. That said, adding veggies to your meals would be a great way to add volume so you still feel like you get full and don't feel deprived. Adding some steamed veggies and/or a salad to mac & cheese would round it out and make it a filling meal.

    I second the idea of starting to log your meals into MFP right away. Don't feel like you have to make a ton of changes -- just get a good picture of how you "normally" eat. Then, look for places to make little changes. Get used to those, then make a few more little changes. You'll start to lose without feeling like it's a giant burden to change everything about how you eat.
  • MrsJane05
    MrsJane05 Posts: 44 Member
    My husband and I are working together to get fit and loose weight, working together with your partner is such a bonus.
    Don't forget to start 'moving' too, whether it is a walk around the block or a run around the park, it all helps to shift weight on the scales, it can also be a great time spent with partner and kids too.

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