Broke and over weight...
Replies
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For food, I usually buy frozen vegetables and fruits because they last longer and I live by myself and I can't eat it fast enough. I go to discount grocery stores in my area to shop for most of my stuff or Target or Wal-mart is cheaper than regular grocery stores.
I also know there are all types of you tube exercise videos that you can do for free. Or even your local library might have them. I know they have dvd's and other people have mentioned them before. I just never went there for them.0 -
If you have internet there are tons of free exercise videos. From easy to expert. Also Frozen veggies and shopping early in the morning (you will catch the marked down meat, Sundays and Tuesdays are the best days) Also brown rice and chicken breasts. Easy affordable(look for sales) and functional. You can totally do this. I lost 80+ pounds in my first 7 months with no gym, and using MFP to calorie count. It IS possible.
Best of luck! 0 -
jenjay8045 wrote: »If you have internet there are tons of free exercise videos. From easy to expert. Also Frozen veggies and shopping early in the morning (you will catch the marked down meat, Sundays and Tuesdays are the best days) Also brown rice and chicken breasts. Easy affordable(look for sales) and functional. You can totally do this. I lost 80+ pounds in my first 7 months with no gym, and using MFP to calorie count. It IS possible. Best of luck!
Why thank you my lady! 0 -
Dried beans, rice (beans and rice mixed together gives a complete protein), lentil (especially lentils as they don't need any soaking), oatmeal, frozen veggies if you have room in the freezer of your fridge. Get some spices (dried and onions and garlic) to make things tasty. Purchase fresh stuff that is on sale. I know looking at the sales flyers and clipping coupons can seem like a pain for some people, but it can save substantial amounts of money.0
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JustinAnimal wrote: »MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal 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.
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 and Adowe are correct. Frozen vegetables can be more nutritious than fresh. JustinAnimal is correct as to the reason why-- frozen vegetables are frozen within hours of being picked, whereas fresh sit for a while before you buy them because they have to be transported, probably sit in the store a day or two before purchasing, maybe then sit in your refrigerator for a day, etc. The longer the vegetable/fruit is out of the grown / off the vine or whatever, the more nutrition is lost.
Unless you can buy directly from a farmer, frozen is more nutritious. But frozen doesn't taste as good. 0 -
JustinAnimal wrote: »MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »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.
Indeed.
She probably wasted her money on that culinary class. I wonder what other mis-information was spread?
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Mm, unfortunately trolling goes on every where. Doesn't really matter where you go these days.
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There are a lot of free workouts on-line. One guy has exercise videos for folks without equipment...he incorporates stuff you have at home. For instance, instead of a battle rope, he has you using a bedsheet. He uses stools, boxes, and just your plain ol' body. Go to NowLoss.com and check it out. Free diet tips as well.0
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There are a lot of free workouts on-line. One guy has exercise videos for folks without equipment...he incorporates stuff you have at home. For instance, instead of a battle rope, he has you using a bedsheet. He uses stools, boxes, and just your plain ol' body. Go to NowLoss.com and check it out. Free diet tips as well.
Oh cool that sounds up my alley, thank you for the info!
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Dude I'm so broke I can hardly "pay" attention lol! Sure, I can help you. I grew up dirt poor and probably always will be so I know the ropes. Long as you have an internet connection, you can work out for free. Go to youtube and look up workout videos that don't require special equipment, just your own body weight. There's a massive variety of things you can do to work out at home for free. Yoga, pushups, crunches, leg lifts, squats, all sorts of cardio just basically moving back and forth in place, don't need lot of room. Food wise, chicken is usually the cheapest meat. Make sure to get the grocery store sale papers and see what day it is on sale. Also see which of the grocery stores close to you is the cheapest. There can be a big difference. Potatoes are all right. However you can't put the usual things on them. Just salt and pepper. Dried beans that you cook up at home are cheap as h*ll, and low fat and high protein. Rice is fine in moderation, just measure it like you do everything else so you know how much you are getting. Eggs are awesome cheap protein. Frozen broccoli is usually hella cheap, also frozen green beans. Bananas are cheap. Also make sure that you take advantage of any coupons that are for things you would buy anyway. See if the store brands of things are decent. A lot of times they are, and they cost less. Buying things with the least packaging/processing gets you the most food for the least cost. Consider example a bag of dried beans versus a can of beans. A whole chicken versus a cut up one. Just stick the whole chicken in the oven and bake til done, then you can pull off the skin and either eat it just baked or strip the meat from the bones for sandwiches and recipes. OR shove the whole chicken into the crock pot overnight or while you are gone to work. See if the store has things that are reduced for quick sale, just make sure to cook them the day you buy them.
Sorry for the wall of text lol, but those are the basics for you at least.0 -
Honestly, I don't think it's difficult to shop for healthy items on a budget. What I find the hardest is that what you don't pay for in cash you generally have to make up for in time, and I am really time-poor! Stock up on cheap chicken whenever you have the opportunity. It is really versatile.
If you're at risk for diabetes, it makes it even harder, because I wouldn't recommend making rice and potatoes a big part of your diet. I am diabetic, and my body just doesn't metabolize those things very well. I love them like Tyrone Biggums loves crack, but I try to avoid them.
Have you looked into whether your eligible for food assistance? I see you live in Wisconsin. I do too. Have you checked to see if you quality for Food Share?0 -
Dude I'm so broke I can hardly "pay" attention lol! Sure, I can help you. I grew up dirt poor and probably always will be so I know the ropes. Long as you have an internet connection, you can work out for free. Go to youtube and look up workout videos that don't require special equipment, just your own body weight. There's a massive variety of things you can do to work out at home for free. Yoga, pushups, crunches, leg lifts, squats, all sorts of cardio just basically moving back and forth in place, don't need lot of room. Food wise, chicken is usually the cheapest meat. Make sure to get the grocery store sale papers and see what day it is on sale. Also see which of the grocery stores close to you is the cheapest. There can be a big difference. Potatoes are all right. However you can't put the usual things on them. Just salt and pepper. Dried beans that you cook up at home are cheap as h*ll, and low fat and high protein. Rice is fine in moderation, just measure it like you do everything else so you know how much you are getting. Eggs are awesome cheap protein. Frozen broccoli is usually hella cheap, also frozen green beans. Bananas are cheap. Also make sure that you take advantage of any coupons that are for things you would buy anyway. See if the store brands of things are decent. A lot of times they are, and they cost less. Buying things with the least packaging/processing gets you the most food for the least cost. Consider example a bag of dried beans versus a can of beans. A whole chicken versus a cut up one. Just stick the whole chicken in the oven and bake til done, then you can pull off the skin and either eat it just baked or strip the meat from the bones for sandwiches and recipes. OR shove the whole chicken into the crock pot overnight or while you are gone to work. See if the store has things that are reduced for quick sale, just make sure to cook them the day you buy them.
Sorry for the wall of text lol, but those are the basics for you at least.
Lol, it's totally okay. But thank you again I do appreciate it. 0 -
Dude I'm so broke I can hardly "pay" attention lol! Sure, I can help you. I grew up dirt poor and probably always will be so I know the ropes. Long as you have an internet connection, you can work out for free. Go to youtube and look up workout videos that don't require special equipment, just your own body weight. There's a massive variety of things you can do to work out at home for free. Yoga, pushups, crunches, leg lifts, squats, all sorts of cardio just basically moving back and forth in place, don't need lot of room. Food wise, chicken is usually the cheapest meat. Make sure to get the grocery store sale papers and see what day it is on sale. Also see which of the grocery stores close to you is the cheapest. There can be a big difference. Potatoes are all right. However you can't put the usual things on them. Just salt and pepper. Dried beans that you cook up at home are cheap as h*ll, and low fat and high protein. Rice is fine in moderation, just measure it like you do everything else so you know how much you are getting. Eggs are awesome cheap protein. Frozen broccoli is usually hella cheap, also frozen green beans. Bananas are cheap. Also make sure that you take advantage of any coupons that are for things you would buy anyway. See if the store brands of things are decent. A lot of times they are, and they cost less. Buying things with the least packaging/processing gets you the most food for the least cost. Consider example a bag of dried beans versus a can of beans. A whole chicken versus a cut up one. Just stick the whole chicken in the oven and bake til done, then you can pull off the skin and either eat it just baked or strip the meat from the bones for sandwiches and recipes. OR shove the whole chicken into the crock pot overnight or while you are gone to work. See if the store has things that are reduced for quick sale, just make sure to cook them the day you buy them.
Sorry for the wall of text lol, but those are the basics for you at least.
Definitely bump, same for Gia. Many people providing sound advice. I love the beans and rice option - seriously that's not expensive and packs a real punch with protein and complex carbs (provided the rice is brown). Can never go wrong with brown rice and black beans. I love them.0 -
I go to walmart to do my grocery shopping and I ad comp as well as use coupons on anything I can find. During the summer I plant a garden of all the fruits/veggies that I usually eat. I also do a lot of meatless meals so I'm not spending a lot of money on beef or chicken. Making meals that are healthy and spread is a good way to stretch a buck (usually veggie soup or chili are my go to's). Doing this helped me lower my grocery bill of 350 a month down to 200 (I shop for my husband and myself). I hope this helps. 0
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Honestly, I don't think it's difficult to shop for healthy items on a budget. What I find the hardest is that what you don't pay for in cash you generally have to make up for in time, and I am really time-poor! Stock up on cheap chicken whenever you have the opportunity. It is really versatile.
If you're at risk for diabetes, it makes it even harder, because I wouldn't recommend making rice and potatoes a big part of your diet. I am diabetic, and my body just doesn't metabolize those things very well. I love them like Tyrone Biggums loves crack, but I try to avoid them.
Have you looked into whether your eligible for food assistance? I see you live in Wisconsin. I do too. Have you checked to see if you quality for Food Share?
My dad has diabetes and lost a lot of weight from just changing up his cooking style (and quitting smoking/drinking cold turkey) so I picked up tips and tricks from him, but applying them to life on my own is a bit hard. Then again I have gotten /very/ lazy in defending my opinions against both of my junk food junkie roomies
I have not heard of Food Share, is that like a food pantry of sorts?0 -
I've totally been in your shoes. At the time however, I was single and lived on my own so I found it very easy to adopt a very healthy eating plan. I worked out at home doing dvds in the evenings often instead of sitting and watching tv. I lost 30lbs. RE: food - I was in the same boat, could hardly afford anything! I often used frozen veg so I wouldn't be scared to purchase that. Buy only fresh of what is in season, it will likely be low cost because of it. My go-to meal during this time was black beans (cheap, canned) and scrambled eggs with little cheese and salsa. I still eat it occasionally when my hubby is out of town. Sometimes I would throw in a little brown rice. I will say I did also eat some processed frozen foods, mostly because they were cheap and convenient (but I tried to limit) - Weight Watchers meals (mostly just the rice & beans & baked ziti ones) and also veggie burgers. I also lived off of homemade protein shakes - the powder might be expensive to purchase but when you break it down as a per meal purchase, the cost is pretty reasonable.
I will say that buying in bulk can save money when you can....i would often buy my oatmeal, other grains, etc in bulk from local health food stores. You can totally do this! Just might have to do some creative thinking & plan ahead for weekly meals...but it's attainable! 0 -
What is up with this person? She keeps de-activating, and then re-activates in order to say something combative, and then de-activates again?
By the way, a lot of my friends are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, which is the top culinary school in the country. They also learned what I did about frozen sometimes being healthier than fresh. It's fact, not really up to debate.
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/fresh_vs_frozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71064-fresh-versus-frozen-produce-which-healthier/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=215
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/reasons-buy-frozen-fruits-veggies/story?id=20683879
http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/freezing-food-1 -
MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »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.
Indeed.
She probably wasted her money on that culinary class. I wonder what other mis-information was spread?
Not a waste of money. I'm going to believe my instructors (chefs) before I believe any of you, sorry. Feel free to insult me more if it makes you feel better lol. Its ok. :-)
Do you have any proof backing this up? I can't find it.
Seriously I love to learn.0 -
As far as exercising, I started running...you can do it any time you have free and for as long as you can. It will only cost you a pair of sneakers. I also bought a exercise bike in a garage sale for $8. The spedometer doesn't work but as long as the pedals turn, I don't care. People are ALWAYS selling exercise stuff at garage sales!
Also, either get DVDs to do at home...you can get them cheap on Ebay or Amazon or for free on YouTube.
Maybe you could also find some exercise equipment on freecycle. Thrift stores also have dumbbells & plates for barbells pretty cheap. For workout clothes if you go to a thrift store on a half off day you can score some workout gear cheap (I've bought Nike, Under Armour, Reebok, etc.)0 -
I haven't read all the posts yet. But just wanted to share what worked for me.
I do alternate day fasting. Up to 500 calories one day, eat your tdee the next, then repeat.
My grocery bill has gone way down since starting this. It's the only way of eating that has allowed me to lose weight and save money at the same time
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honestly I lost my weight the fastest exactly when i had almost no money for food. I bought cheapest yogurt and apples,for a good 4 days that was all i ate,then a little money came and i bought some meat but continued with frozen veggies,apples and cheapest dairy products and treated myself with handful of cookies once a week maybe.
It is fine to go like that for about 2 weeks but don't punish your body,food is priority to survive afterall0 -
I agree with the above. Aldi is great for cheap produce. I, too, live on a tight budget but since I have been eating more healthy recently I have noticed that I am spending less and less. The major myth is dieting is expensive and if you view it as you have to stock up on many "diet" pre-packaged products I would agree it can become costly. But if you pre-plan your meals in a healthy manner and steer clear from all the "pre-packaged" diet products that honestly aren't as healthy as you think you and tend to set yourself up for failure and an empty wallet. Trust me when I say I have been there more than once. I took a step back and re-analyzed my efforts and binge diet product shopping and realized what a waste. I started buying more fresh produce(love Aldi) cheap, cheap produce! And pre-planned more filling yet healthier meals and my grocery budget has lowered so much. I am still learning what to buy and what I can pass on...and for me this is huge!! I was a fast food junkie and processed food queen. Since I have began...I have realized how much you can actually save by not eating out and making healthy choices. I have not seen the results that I want but patience is my virtue and I know I didn't put it all on in a week so it will not all come off in a week. Anyone is welcome to add this ordinary paycheck to paycheck gal if ya like!! Good luck and support to each of you that read this through your weight loss endeavors!! Or like I like to look at it and refer to it as your "lifestyle change"!mnwalkingqueen wrote: »I tend to grocery shop at Aldi's they are a lower cost grocer that sells mostly only house brands. I don't buy meat there because I am picky but I buy my fish, shrimp and all produce there. I bought 4 bags full of groceries and only spent $50 bucks. I love fish and egg whites so I eat a lot of that plus I don't get tired of eating the same thing constantly. Good luck.
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If your paycheck is on the small size it might be a good idea to look at all your ins and outs, like losing weight. Write down every cent you spend and then re-evaluate a month later where all the money goes to and what is really important for just living and for you.
Ask yourself: do you really need that tv package, can you reduce costs for internet and mobile phone, clubs, etc. When I was studying we had a really tough financial period, but budgeting and deciding what is really important helped us get through it.0 -
MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »What is up with this person? She keeps de-activating, and then re-activates in order to say something combative, and then de-activates again?
By the way, a lot of my friends are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, which is the top culinary school in the country. They also learned what I did about frozen sometimes being healthier than fresh. It's fact, not really up to debate.
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/fresh_vs_frozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71064-fresh-versus-frozen-produce-which-healthier/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=215
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/reasons-buy-frozen-fruits-veggies/story?id=20683879
http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/freezing-food
btw...I haven't deactivated once (it's a glitch in the system since the update)...I stated my opinion. I'm sorry that it's not the same as yours. Everyone is entitled to one. Thanks!
So I'm waiting for the culinary expertise that you were going to answer if other people answered your question. They've given you a lot of resources to show that frozen can be as nutrient-rich as fresh. I'm waiting to hear your side of the story.0 -
MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »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.
Indeed.
She probably wasted her money on that culinary class. I wonder what other mis-information was spread?
Not a waste of money. I'm going to believe my instructors (chefs) before I believe any of you, sorry. Feel free to insult me more if it makes you feel better lol. Its ok. :-)
In the context of a culinary school I would believe that frozen vegetables would be taboo...as in using the freshest ingredients....but that doesn't mean frozen vegetables aren't as nutritious - it's just not the "done" thing for a chef to use frozen. So context important.
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MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »JustinAnimal wrote: »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.
Indeed.
She probably wasted her money on that culinary class. I wonder what other mis-information was spread?
Not a waste of money. I'm going to believe my instructors (chefs) before I believe any of you, sorry. Feel free to insult me more if it makes you feel better lol. Its ok. :-)
On the context of a culinary school I would believe that frozen vegetables would be taboo...as in using the freshest ingredients....but that doesn't mean frozen vegetables aren't as nutritious - it's just not the "done" thing for a chef to use frozen. So context important.
Exactly. You want to pay restaurant prices for Birdseye? May as well go to Applebee's.0 -
MomOfOneGirl1995 wrote: »What is up with this person? She keeps de-activating, and then re-activates in order to say something combative, and then de-activates again?
By the way, a lot of my friends are graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, which is the top culinary school in the country. They also learned what I did about frozen sometimes being healthier than fresh. It's fact, not really up to debate.
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/fresh_vs_frozen_vegetables_are_we_giving_up_nutrition_fo
http://www.livestrong.com/article/71064-fresh-versus-frozen-produce-which-healthier/
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=215
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/reasons-buy-frozen-fruits-veggies/story?id=20683879
http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/freezing-food
btw...I haven't deactivated once (it's a glitch in the system since the update)...I stated my opinion. I'm sorry that it's not the same as yours. Everyone is entitled to one. Thanks!
Science doesn't care if you believe.
Science isn't opinion....It's fact.0 -
Setting aside the fresh v. frozen nutrition debate, buying frozen vegetables is very economical and a great way to ensure regular access to low-calorie, nutritious foods. Fresh produce can be expensive and often spoils before being used unless you're very diligent about planning or just eat a *kitten*-ton of produce.
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I tried, but didn't make it through all the responses. I wanted to share this link with you: https://8b862ca0073972f0472b704e2c0c21d0480f50d3.googledrive.com/host/0Bxd6wdCBD_2tdUdtM0d4WTJmclU/good-and-cheap.pdf It's to a cookbook called Good and Cheap (Eat Well on $4/Day) It was put together by a graduate student trying to prove that people on food stamps could afford the healthy foods they needed to make at home that were tasty, well balanced, NOT fast food, and didn't require master culinary skills. I have made lots of these recipes, in particular the ones for dressing up regular oatmeal, the Indian stews and corn soup, homemade popcorn, and most of the "things on toast" section. I think you could really benefit from this, as it incorporates healthy, vegetarian proteins that are inexpensive, and even includes ideas for stretching the ingredients you have to buy.
I totally get that you don't just want to eat "less" of the same things you've been eating. Maybe those things are things that are hard to portion control for you. Maybe you want to make broader food changes so that you can feel good about what you put in your body and it's not strictly about weight loss, but a bigger lifestyle change. Everyone's minds work differently toward food, and I hope that you find something that works well for you. PS - that cookbook is a pdf online for free and accessible to everyone.0
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