Broke and over weight...

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Replies

  • kendalslimmer
    kendalslimmer Posts: 579 Member
    oatmeal with cinnamon for breakfast. try to shop at markets - not supermarkets - the prices are way cheaper for fresh produce (fruit + veg). make your own soup - this is a great lunch and you can make enough for a fair few days. keep sliced bread in the freezer, it lasts longer that way as you can defrost it, bit by bit, as and when it's needed. consider 'meal planning' - a tray bake of some sort, or stew, which you can eat for a few days - this cuts down on wastage. don't avoid canned food, or frozen, there's nothing wrong with it. :) and remember to enjoy cooking and enjoy your food - whatever you're eating, appreciate it. xx
  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    ovinas1 wrote: »
    ovinas1 wrote: »
    kasiaj wrote: »
    Not sure if anyone mentioned this (I don't feel like reading all the responses), but you can rent exercise dvds from your local library for free.

    Whats a Library?

    Broke and overweight don't belong together. I dont care what you eat if you count your calories you can lose weight. How you choose to eat or not eat is up to you.

    NO MORE EXCUSES!!!!! STRONG MIND STRONG BODY!!! WEAK MIND WEAK BODY!!!

    Lots of poor people are fat (in the US). I was 180lbs (at 5'4) and lived on/under the poverty line. I had a lot of misinformation floating around my head then about food, and knew nothing about calories/portion size at all.

    A little education on the subject matter was really good for me.

    I am definitely not rich and live paycheck to paycheck. Like i said poor and overweight don't go together. If your here asking the question its cause you want to do something about it. Money does not need to affect your eating.
    Your comment is making an EXCUSE for why you need to be overweight.
    I am still of modest means, and I lost the weight I had to lose. So yes, anyone can lose it.

    However, before I lost the weight I didnt understand about calories, how many I should be eating, all that. So that held me back.

    Also I assumed healthy eating=lots of calorie sparse vegetables. Trying to fill up 1700 calories with only produce is expensive! Luckily i found out I could eat cheaper foods, like rice, and still lose weight.
  • Jewel0124
    Jewel0124 Posts: 119 Member
    I was actually planning to blog about this later today because I'm in the same boat. I'm primarily focusing on lowering my portions and staying within my calorie range. Since it's winter, I make a lot of soups and stews to stretch the dollar. Just be conscious of the amount of fat your adding into your soup. So far, I'm keeping my gym membership although weather is preventing me from going right now so I try to walk an extra block or two just to get some added exercise. People here have posted some great tips.
  • lgoldfarb
    lgoldfarb Posts: 76 Member
    I've done this www.bountifulbaskets.com. It is $15.00 for a giant basket of fruits and veggies.
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    kasiaj wrote: »
    Not sure if anyone mentioned this (I don't feel like reading all the responses), but you can rent exercise dvds from your local library for free.

    Thank you! Most people forget about that wonderful resource in your town that costs you nothing (above your normal taxes) to use and has tons of helpful things. You should be able to get some good budget recipe books too!

    I didn't know that! I should try it. I also want to get a book on tape for running on the treadmill. Music isn't doing it for me (probably because I sing along and get out of breath but if I can't sing along its boring haha).
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    adowe wrote: »
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent

    lol...how? Please explain as I would really like to know. I know better but I want to hear what you have to say.

    Frozen is more nutritious because the fresh produce you buy in the stores are picked green so they won't spoil during shipping. The produce that is frozen, however, is picked ripe and frozen within a few hours.
  • elleykat
    elleykat Posts: 75 Member
    Buy frozen veggies instead of fresh. They can be found for about $1 bag. I also use the cartwheel app at Target and buy Target brand groceries for an extra 5% off, with my Target card for an added 5% off.
    Do you have a deep freezer? Buy meat in bulk and when it's on sale, then separate it into more sensible portions, double-wrap in freezer bags, and toss it in the deep freeze until you need it. This is harder to do if you just have a small freezer. :/

  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    It's not that they are more nutritious due to being frozen, it's that frozen veggies spend an hour or two between being separated from the vine and being flash frozen, hence less time to lose nutrition.

    Anyway, not claiming it's true; it's just something I was told.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    MomofOne, could you back your very adamant claims with something other than "I know better"?
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    I don't mean to sound confrontational or offensive, I'm just curious if you have a reason to feel so strongly. Just making conversation here.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    xkit, I sympathize as I have been where you are. Lots of great advice here. I remember when the thought of buying a club membership to save money was beyond my means. So here's another tip. Do some bulk sales buying to save up a little money. Then you are doing more than living paycheque to paycheque. You will have a contingency fund to save even more. Buying staples in bulk while on sale will help a lot.

    http://frugalforlife.blogspot.ca/2009/03/amy-dacyczyn-and-tightwad-gazette.html

    I don't think the potatoes were the problem. It was the lack of food choices. If potatoes is all you've got, it's more likely you'll overeat them. But if you have rice, beans and tuna in the cupboard, and frozen peas and chicken thighs in the freezer, you can change up your meals to be filling and satisfying.

  • spamarie
    spamarie Posts: 2,825 Member
    Oats are my go-to cheap but healthy food.

    Banana oaties

    Mash up some ripe bananas. Mix in equal weight of porridge oats. Form into patties, bake for 20 minutes in the oven and voilà, breakfast on the go for a week. I sometimes top with peanut butter or honey or nothing at all, or add in some raisins, cherries or whatever I have in.

    Oaty Pancakes

    Mix 25g oats per egg (I usually use 2 eggs per person). Fry with spray oil until cooked on both sides. Top with tinned peaches or broken pineapple chunks (or if you are flush it's great with smoked salmon).

    I think someone already mentioned it, but http://agirlcalledjack.com/ has some great recipes for those on a budget.
  • xkitxkatxkaix
    xkitxkatxkaix Posts: 368 Member
    I know that I can't be the only one here with this problem, or maybe I am and I hoping to have a pity party. Is there anyone else here who lives paycheck to paycheck and barely making ends meet? I've tried more then a few times to buy only the healthiest of options at the grocery store (within reason of my budget of course) fresh veggies, avoided processed/canned anything really, etc., but I swear each time I nearly break my bank in doing so. On top of that I had to give up my gym membership which is sad considering that it's only $10 a month but with my rent going up it's just no longer in my budget anymore (sad I know).a What I'm in search for is someone who is in the same boat I am but somehow makes it work! I want to be able to pick peoples brains on this one. What meals do you plan for during your week? How do you fit in exercise into a busy schedule?
    I would really love some feedback. Thanks for your time!

    We live on basically minimum wage. I grow a garden and we have livestock-I just put 6 chickens in my freezer yesterday and after doing the math I learned that we get chicken for $0.07/lb. Eggs are $0.32/dozen. Veggies are pretty much free since I only use heirloom and gather the seeds.

    Do you have an area you can get pots for plants? Squash, cauliflower, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, broccoli, chard, kale, celery, pineapple, strawberries, etc all grow very eaily in small pots, and one cherry tomato plant gives me enough I can put up ketchup, salsa, spaghetti sauce, soup, and still have enough to eat off the plant.

    I wish, but I have a balcony that I have successfully grown oregano, basil and sage! They grew like weeds over the summer which was fabulous! But of course my boyfriend accidentally left the patio door open to allow fresh cool air in (I had brought them inside at this point) and neglected to move them away from the cold. RIP.
    But I'm definitely starting over with a fresh batch when I can, that was too fabulous when I had them. I have heard success stories with balcony tomato plants so when it warms up I might just give that a try. :)
  • JaneECS
    JaneECS Posts: 71 Member
    I'm probably being incredibly controversial here, but if you live in a rural area, you can always glean/forage. I would recommend buying/borrowing a really good book on the subject, as picking the wrong things can be dangerous, but you go for a walk (exercise) and come back with dinner.

    Even in semi-urban areas, and depending on your time of year, you could come back with berries, greens, horseradish. Gleaning is a grey area in the law, certainly in the UK. The premis is that once the farmer/landowner has harvested their crops you can then take anything they have rejected, as long as it is only for your household's consumption and not for re-sale and you DON'T do it before harvest. We have got caulflowers, cabbages and potatoes this way, as this is what they grow in our area. Sounds nuts and a bit retro-hippy, but we are talking about a couple of hours on a non-work day for a week's worth of free food. I do however draw the line at roadkill, but some people don't! One word of warning - wash it, wash it, wash it!
  • xkitxkatxkaix
    xkitxkatxkaix Posts: 368 Member
    spamarie wrote: »
    Oats are my go-to cheap but healthy food.

    Banana oaties

    Mash up some ripe bananas. Mix in equal weight of porridge oats. Form into patties, bake for 20 minutes in the oven and voilà, breakfast on the go for a week. I sometimes top with peanut butter or honey or nothing at all, or add in some raisins, cherries or whatever I have in.

    Oaty Pancakes

    Mix 25g oats per egg (I usually use 2 eggs per person). Fry with spray oil until cooked on both sides. Top with tinned peaches or broken pineapple chunks (or if you are flush it's great with smoked salmon).

    I think someone already mentioned it, but http://agirlcalledjack.com/ has some great recipes for those on a budget.

    Umm... that sounds delicious!! How smart, I never thought of making little oat patties like that. I'm so trying that! :D
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    xkit, I signed on to a community garden here in town. Lots more veggies than I could grow in my little plot. Might you enjoy that next summer?
  • JaneECS
    JaneECS Posts: 71 Member
    Oh, and of course, if you have a garden - grow your own food - exercise and food for almost no cost. You can pick up tools at yard sales, and lots of allotments do sees swaps and giveaways
  • xkitxkatxkaix
    xkitxkatxkaix Posts: 368 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    xkit, I signed on to a community garden here in town. Lots more veggies than I could grow in my little plot. Might you enjoy that next summer?

    I don't know if there is one in my area but I would definitely look into that. Having a garden would just be lovely.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    MomofOne, could you back your very adamant claims with something other than "I know better"?

    yeah, it's called nutrition class in culinary school...that's how I know better. Peace out...

    And I want to thank you for not acting like a childish *kitten*. It's been fun having a polite conversation about this.
  • JustinAnimal
    JustinAnimal Posts: 1,335 Member
    Mom deactivated her account and is no doubt making another one. Fun times.

    Anyway, it's been cool to see lots of advice. Many of us have been there, being poor and trying to lose weight. I don't think anyone's made this joke, but it's way easier to eat less when you don't have money for food!

    Hang in there and use all of this quality advice you've received.
  • KGRebelRanch
    KGRebelRanch Posts: 109 Member
    I know that I can't be the only one here with this problem, or maybe I am and I hoping to have a pity party. Is there anyone else here who lives paycheck to paycheck and barely making ends meet? I've tried more then a few times to buy only the healthiest of options at the grocery store (within reason of my budget of course) fresh veggies, avoided processed/canned anything really, etc., but I swear each time I nearly break my bank in doing so. On top of that I had to give up my gym membership which is sad considering that it's only $10 a month but with my rent going up it's just no longer in my budget anymore (sad I know).a What I'm in search for is someone who is in the same boat I am but somehow makes it work! I want to be able to pick peoples brains on this one. What meals do you plan for during your week? How do you fit in exercise into a busy schedule?
    I would really love some feedback. Thanks for your time!

    We live on basically minimum wage. I grow a garden and we have livestock-I just put 6 chickens in my freezer yesterday and after doing the math I learned that we get chicken for $0.07/lb. Eggs are $0.32/dozen. Veggies are pretty much free since I only use heirloom and gather the seeds.

    Do you have an area you can get pots for plants? Squash, cauliflower, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, broccoli, chard, kale, celery, pineapple, strawberries, etc all grow very eaily in small pots, and one cherry tomato plant gives me enough I can put up ketchup, salsa, spaghetti sauce, soup, and still have enough to eat off the plant.

    I wish, but I have a balcony that I have successfully grown oregano, basil and sage! They grew like weeds over the summer which was fabulous! But of course my boyfriend accidentally left the patio door open to allow fresh cool air in (I had brought them inside at this point) and neglected to move them away from the cold. RIP.
    But I'm definitely starting over with a fresh batch when I can, that was too fabulous when I had them. I have heard success stories with balcony tomato plants so when it warms up I might just give that a try. :)

    If you can grow herbs, you can grow veggies :) Trust me-I have a cabbage head in a pot right now that I cant kill, it's about to go to my hogs because I am sick to death of cabbage. You can send me a PM if you want, I can tell you some of the things I have really great success with in pots!
  • shannonstube
    shannonstube Posts: 64 Member
    adowe wrote: »
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent

    lol...how? Please explain as I would really like to know. I know better but I want to hear what you have to say.

    Why don't you click on the linked article then?
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    adowe wrote: »
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent

    lol...how? Please explain as I would really like to know. I know better but I want to hear what you have to say.

    Frozen is more nutritious because the fresh produce you buy in the stores are picked green so they won't spoil during shipping. The produce that is frozen, however, is picked ripe and frozen within a few hours.

    unfortunately I still know better but thanks.

    Well can you enlighten me with why you know better, how you know better. Any proof backing your claim that fresh are better than frozen?
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    I got chastised too! I felt there was freedom of speech too by *****************
    I think there are just some really strong opinionated personalities.

    All I know is that I am still living pay check to pay check and just trying to eat better in any way that I can. I do buy certain things that are working for me today and I have to budget them accordingly which may be that I have to eliminate something in the grocery list to have something else!

  • skingszoo
    skingszoo Posts: 412 Member
    When I originally lost 40lbs I did so with ramen, canned soup etc. You can eat "whatever" just within your calorie goal. A couple tips though that wont break you. Pick one thing to eat and buy in bulk. Like this week breakfast is fresh blueberries, blackberries and greek yogurt. I bought 1 pack each of the berries and a huge tub of yogurt. I portioned them out for all week. For lunch I have a spinach salad with cumber and tomato and shredded chicken. I made my salads for the week and bought and cooked the chicken and separated it into portions. My breakfast and lunch for the week cost me around $20 and its all fresh.
  • xkitxkatxkaix
    xkitxkatxkaix Posts: 368 Member
    Mom deactivated her account and is no doubt making another one. Fun times.

    Anyway, it's been cool to see lots of advice. Many of us have been there, being poor and trying to lose weight. I don't think anyone's made this joke, but it's way easier to eat less when you don't have money for food!

    Hang in there and use all of this quality advice you've received.

    Pfffff, no I haven't heard that one yet. But that did give me a bit of a giggle. I'm not sure why she got so defensive all of the sudden, I just wanted to pick brains not start up stuff. :/
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    edited January 2015
    adowe wrote: »
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent

    lol...how? Please explain as I would really like to know. I know better but I want to hear what you have to say.

    Why don't you click on the linked article then?

    because I wanted to hear the OP's words...that's why.

    Fresh fruit/vegetable is picked before it has ripened, spends time (days/weeks) on a truck to be placed on a shelf where it sits (days/weeks) on a shelf before it is purchased.

    Frozen is picked when ripened, frozen within hours.

    A fully Ripened fruit/vegetable contains more nutrients than a not fully ripened one.
    Being frozen holds the nutrients in longer, staying in a truck/on a shelf lessens the nutrient value as the fruit deteriorates.

    Now please if I am wrong would love to see proof
  • This is a great article about 44 healthy foods under $1 per serving. They even added ways to use the ingredients in recipes in each description!
  • asdowe13
    asdowe13 Posts: 1,951 Member
    adowe wrote: »
    adowe wrote: »
    Frozen foods (as long as they aren't freezer MEALS, but food that has actually been frozen) have much more nutrition than canned and, so I'm told, even more nutrients than fresh veggies in the produce section.

    Cheap food options:
    Frozen veggies / fruit
    Frozen tilapia
    Beans
    Brown Rice
    Lentils (x1000000000000)
    Eggs

    Cheap Exercise:
    Spartacus Workout (menshealth.com)
    Insanity
    Youtube aerobics and other workouts
    Body weight push-ups, squats, dips, tricep push-ups, etc.
    Running up and down public stairs

    You can do this, you just need to get creative.

    that would be a no...sorry.

    That would be a per veggie/fruit basis. Some are more nutritious when frozen.

    http://www.medicaldaily.com/when-frozen-food-better-fresh-frozen-veggies-fruits-contain-more-nutrients-their-fresh-equivalent

    lol...how? Please explain as I would really like to know. I know better but I want to hear what you have to say.

    Why don't you click on the linked article then?

    because I wanted to hear the OP's words...that's why.

    Fresh fruit/vegetable is picked before it has ripened, spends time (days/weeks) on a truck to be placed on a shelf where it sits (days/weeks) on a shelf before it is purchased.

    Frozen is picked when ripened, frozen within hours.

    A fully Ripened fruit/vegetable contains more nutrients than a not fully ripened one.
    Being frozen holds the nutrients in longer, staying in a truck/on a shelf lessens the nutrient value as the fruit deteriorates.

    Now please if I am wrong would love to see proof

    ETA - now eating the fruit or veggie you picked from your tree/garden and eaten without the days/weeks of transport, shelf life yes the fresh will have more nutrients.
    Most don't have this privelege
This discussion has been closed.