I just cant do it anymore

Marmitemum
Marmitemum Posts: 3 Member
edited September 28 in Motivation and Support
I am having a really hard time with this! I have 15-20 lb to loose and just cant get it! I find I am eating all the wrong things, bread and pasta. I hate cooking but do not like processed foods either. My 18 month old is so picky so trying to feed the family of 4 healthy is proving really hard! My husband comes home late most nights so I need meals that I can reheat for him, but also foods that are quick to cook as my cling on boy will not let me do very much.

I need help, Please :-(

Replies

  • emsibun
    emsibun Posts: 208
    Change one thing every few weeks. Just one thing.

    Pasta to wholewheat, rice to wholegrain, bread to wholewheat...
  • A crockpot can be your very best friend.
  • RyonsLions2
    RyonsLions2 Posts: 350 Member
    I am in the same boat I have 20 to 25 left to lose. We should team up! I have some ideas and if you want to friend me we can work on this together!
  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    Maybe you can cook one day for the entire week. A day when your hubby is home to help with the baby. That would give you a chance to plan ahead for healthy meals.
  • audjrey
    audjrey Posts: 360 Member
    I find I am eating all the wrong things, bread and pasta ... foods that are quick to cook as my cling on boy will not let me do very much.

    Seems to me you already have the seeds of your own solution.
    1. You're eating the wrong things. Nobody here can fix that except you.
    2. You've got a clingy little boy who doesn't let you do very much - time to set some healthy boundaries!

    All the best to you. You can do this!!
  • purpleprose
    purpleprose Posts: 650
    If you don't buy bread or pasta at the grocery store and only buy healthier food, then you have to make something from that. Magazine websites like cooking light, shape, and self, all have quick, healthy recipes online that I use constantly.

    At the end of the day, though, if it's not in the house, you won't eat it. So stop buying it and torturing yourself!
  • bossymom
    bossymom Posts: 41 Member
    I've found that if I up my intake of high protein foods, my cravings for carbs diminish. But it's not necessarilyu bad to have bread and pasta! Just make the bulk of your meal lean protein, and portion-control the bread and pasta. Besides, if you're staying within your caloric limit, it shouldn't matter all that much. Hey, I enjoyed a piece of banana cream pie today for lunch(330 calories!). hahah. I ate it in place of a healthy lunch....not something I recommend, and rarely do.....but every now and then you have to splurge, and I'll still stay within my 1400 calorie limit today.

    Relax! :) Don't ever give up though!
  • purpleprose
    purpleprose Posts: 650
    I find I am eating all the wrong things, bread and pasta ... foods that are quick to cook as my cling on boy will not let me do very much.

    Seems to me you already have the seeds of your own solution.
    1. You're eating the wrong things. Nobody here can fix that except you.
    2. You've got a clingy little boy who doesn't let you do very much - time to set some healthy boundaries!

    All the best to you. You can do this!!

    You said it better than I did - totally agree!
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    This is a lifestyle change and because of that, you don't have to change EVERYTHING in one day. Change 1 thing each week or even each month.

    Buy whole wheat pasta vs regular pasta
    Buy 2% (or a lower % milk from what you drink now) milk
    Buy whole wheat bread vs white bread

    Small changes add up to big success - trust me. YOU CAN DO THIS.

    I'm a picky eater. My 15 yr old is a picky eater. I've learned to make foods that I like that she likes too. I was pleasantly surprised to find she LOVES turkey tacos, turkey sloppy joes and turkey burgers. You can do it. It just takes time!
  • AggieCass09
    AggieCass09 Posts: 1,867 Member
    i suggest just picking one thing to improve each week...

    make a resolution to cook one healthy meal each week (have the hubs come home early this evening)
    get in 20 minutes of exercise total 3 days a week (even if it is broken up during the day)
    etc...


    you can do it and dont view your weight loss in 15-20 lb chunks...aim for 5 lbs at a time


    think lifestyle change not diet!
  • alfredapittman
    alfredapittman Posts: 256 Member
    I find I am eating all the wrong things, bread and pasta ... foods that are quick to cook as my cling on boy will not let me do very much.

    Seems to me you already have the seeds of your own solution.
    1. You're eating the wrong things. Nobody here can fix that except you.
    2. You've got a clingy little boy who doesn't let you do very much - time to set some healthy boundaries!

    All the best to you. You can do this!!
  • RILEYRED
    RILEYRED Posts: 647 Member
    YOU CAN DO THIS, SO MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE LOST SOOO MUCH WEIGHT, IT'S THE TEAMWORK THAT DOES IT.THE ADVICE IS SO HELPFUL, AS IS THE CRITCISIM. GOOD LUCK, YOU REALLY CAN DO THIS, RED:flowerforyou:
  • kelldoll
    kelldoll Posts: 14 Member
    I hear you. I have a child (7) and a husband that is about 20 lbs underweight. Cutting fat and carbs in our meals isn't healthy for them, yet I don't have the time to sit and cook special meals for everyone. It's stressful!

    Don't give up though. I've recently stumbled upon the concept of "add-ons". As it pertains to me specifically: my daughter hates meat. I need high protein to support my activity level. If I cook up a whole bag of chicken breast all at once, then my daughter can eat spaghetti without meat, I eat chicken with marinara and a smaller portion of pasta... or no pasta at all. I take those cooked chicken chunks with me to work to toss on my otherwise lame salad. Buy an asian dressing and VOILA... sesame chicken. Add pineapple and oven roasted red peppers... HAWAIIAN CHICKEN.

    I realize that this doesn't entirely solve the largescale challenge. However, it does ease some of the stress at mealtimes.

    You can do this.

    -Kelly
  • CoachKaren
    CoachKaren Posts: 90
    Girlfriend, I feel you. I can help you. I have a family of four as well. The trick is : dont buy it. I cook my meals ahead of time. I generally cook for the week on Sunday, But I make everyone in the house eat what I eat. If they want something different, they better cook it themselves. This is my grocery list. http://www.eatcleandiet.com/tools_and_support.aspx Message me with more specifics. I may be able to help you more.
  • laurad1406
    laurad1406 Posts: 341
    definitely plan your meals in advance! use leftover chicken from Monday in Dinner Tuesday, make extra portions of rice on Tuesday to use on Wednesday, things like that. This way, if you KNOW you are making something healthy that you and hubby both love, you can also plan differently for the baby. But when you have different people eating different things, it makes trying to "throw" a dinner together impossible :frown:

    and like someone else said, crockpots are an amazing thing!
  • alischaid
    alischaid Posts: 46 Member
    I agree with Vanishing_Gordie. Utilize your crock pot. There are a ton of good crock pot recipes on allrecipes.com.
  • giammarcor
    giammarcor Posts: 217 Member
    Mistake #1 is saying that you can't do this anymore. Take that CAN'T out of your vocabulary! You CAN do this. You just need to focus on your goal. We're all here to help!
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    A crockpot can be your very best friend.

    THIS
  • Marmitemum
    Marmitemum Posts: 3 Member
    wow only in a few minutes and feeling a little better, thank you. The support is amazing :-)
  • SheCantWeight
    SheCantWeight Posts: 36 Member
    I can't imagine what it's like trying to do this and deal with a hectic at home life as well. For me I'm finding it hard to concentrate on school and being healthy. But I've been going for a good month now and I feel great. It's hard to be motivated because it is a lot of work. But if you give up you'll fall right back into your slump and continue being unhappy with yourself. I'm not sure what kind of foods your family likes to eat, but one suggestion on an easy at-home meal is boneless skinless grilled chicken (don't have to grill it there's always frozen) and I put it with either veggies or if I have enough cals left over I have a cup of brown rice with it also. It's simple and you can always flavor up chicken with just a few herbs that aren't high in calories at all. There are a lot of healthy food websites and even the nutrition thread on MFP can help you come up with healthy foods. And it's not bad to have the breads and pastas every once in a while. I've dieted before and the reason it's working for me now is because I didn't try to cut out certain types of foods. You need to make it something you can follow otherwise it becomes difficult. And the more you exercise the more you can eat. Don't give up because once you get going, it's a lot easier and when you get to the point where you can see the changes and feel the changes, well that's the best feeling ever.
  • sakotaw
    sakotaw Posts: 1
    I cook myself a 4-6oz portion of meat for myself with a veggie and large salad in the evening and then add a potato or other starch to that for the rest of my family. It works pretty well.
  • Setof2Keys
    Setof2Keys Posts: 681 Member
    A crockpot can be your very best friend.

    Just what I was going to say. Food is much better too!!
  • mthorne313
    mthorne313 Posts: 15 Member
    I don't have children so... this may be a little far fetched, but I am a school teacher if that may help my creditability at all. :) Plus, I was the mother of a very finicky dog for 15 years.

    First and foremost .. you are the parent. I promise they will eat what you give them. The children have no clue whether you are cooking white or wheat pasta. Nor at that age do they know the difference between white and wheat bread. Have you considered making your own marinara instead of purchasing it? It is very simple to do. Squash up some tomatoes and some fresh herbs. Bread is DEFINITELY a huge down fall for me. I can sit and eat it at every meal. Finally, I just had to tell myself... Michelle, you have the will power NOT to bring it in the house. Once it makes its appearance in the house... it is all over. While I am in the store, I can make those decisions for a healthier life style. Plus, by having a healthier life style you are so helping your kids. :)

    My nephews are now 4 & 6 and for snack would much rather have hummus and carrot sticks than crap stuff, and it is all because my sister has raised them that way. As for myself... they would have been eating Golden Flake dip style chips with cheddar cheese dip. I have come to learn over the past few months... if I don't make a change for myself... no one is going to do it for me. Plus, every change I make actually benefits not only me, but everyone around me who eats what I cook.

    Good luck with it!!
  • Tipp_8477
    Tipp_8477 Posts: 4
    I found it very hard at first as well. Especially with my daughter and the rest of my family refusing to heat healthy. Unfortunately I had to think of myself for a change. So what I do is budget for my own personal foods; healthier ones. You may have to just go to coooking seperate meals for your family. i cant tell you the nights they ate "good food" and I was eating egg whites and turkey sandwiches. Also, remember, on a day that you have a little too much of a good ting, offset it by excersising. Put that sweet boy in a stroller and find the hilliest section of the neighborhood you can walk and do it a few laps. Not only will your son enjoy the time with you, but by the end of the walk he will be exhausted and you will have at least an hour to plan your meals for the week. Also a point that my sister who is a personal trainer taught me, "Clean eating will not always taste well. Especially if rushed. However your not living to eat your eating to live. So suck it up and have 3 boiled egg whites and a bowl of oatmeal and be satisfied. Your body got what it needed."...lol...big sisters a so nice huh....but it works. Before joining here I lost 25 pounds in 5 weeks.
  • don't give up! You can do this! Your little boy is only 18 months old. You are training him to eat for the rest of his life, so be firm. He won't starve, so if you have to put beans in front of him for 5 days he'll eventually eat them.
    You are probably craving carbs because they are a go-to stress food. Your frustration at your situation right now is setting you up for wanting those things. Maybe you can allow yourself at lunch, but not at dinner? Make your leftover meal the lunch meal. Your husband won't care whether you had it for lunch or dinner. Your little guy probably still naps, so maybe you can have a few minutes to do a bit of exercise to boost you through your mid afternoon slump (you didn't say that but I remember when mine were that young, I had a huge lag around 3:30). You'll be refreshed and ready to keep up the toddler/food fight. :0)
    Oh, and maybe only one or two new foods a week, but offer it at every meal (except breakfast unless it fits).

    GOOD LUCK!! :0)
  • All great advice. I'd like to add that first and foremost, you need to put yourself somewhere on your priority list. Maybe up there in the top ONE?! :wink: If you're not happy, ultimately no one in your family will be happy. That was something I majorly struggled with before I started this. Everything I did was for my son... my husband... my house... my job... I was no where my priorty list. Now I am #1 and though sometimes the losses are low and even non-existent some weeks, I know I gave it my all and that makes me feel good. If my family needs to wait 5 extra (ok, maybe 10) minutes before dinner is ready because I need to log into MFP--so be it.

    Good luck---you can do this!
  • paulaheitman2
    paulaheitman2 Posts: 1 Member
    Of course it depends on you - but I have found that if I read the pasta boxes I can find healthier pasta with less calories and less carbs (which do me in!). I use Dreamfields (I think that is the one). It has lower carbs. But the whole wheat is of course good for you and not so many empty calories. You can read the nutritional information on the computer while your son is sitting on your lap :) so you are prepared when you enter the store.
    AND what about making your own pasta sauce - the bottles of pasta sauce at the store have lots of wasted calories. You could make up a big pot of sauce. Alfredo - though rich in calories is butter, Parmesan cheese and heavy cream - basically no carbs and no preservatives when you make it yourself. (Once again works for me) You may want to make a red sauce. I know Rao's is a great sauce with fewer calories but once again if you do it yourself - it just simmers all day on the back burner.
    Don't give up. You must be burning some calories racing after your son!
  • Jade_Butterfly
    Jade_Butterfly Posts: 2,963 Member
    So am I right in surmising that you are a stay at home mom??? How old is your little one???? Not knowing here are some suggestions. .. When my daughter was young. I got my exercise while she was in daycare. .. I was going to college, but when I was home. . .she too liked to be with me a lot so I incorporated it. .. . invested in a jogger stroller, and would strap on my blades and take her with me. .. other than that when I was doing crunches and leg lifts at home she liked to sit on my belly, or I would do leg lifts with her on my legs. .. Just a though.

    As far as the food. I agree with the lot here. Make small changes not a major over haul and stay within your calorie allowance. . Biggest thing make sure that you keep your sodium down and drink plenty of water. . . Good luck. .. feel free to add me if you like. Good luck in the remainder of your journey. . .
  • GameOn2011
    GameOn2011 Posts: 73 Member
    I am a wroking mother of 3, ages 6, 9, and 11. I make a spreadsheet outlining dinner for two weeks at a time. This way I do not have to think about what to make for dinner. I make things from oven fried pork chops to fish tacos to whole wheat spaghetti and grilled chicken with jasmine rice paired with veggies at every meal.

    Whatever I can make ahead, I do, after I put the kids to bed. All this to AVOID processed food/take out and to be a good role model for healthy eating!
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