Tips pls!

dsk9821
dsk9821 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Motivation and Support
I am 19yrs old and I weigh at a healthy weight but want to be fit and toned. Whenever I try to eat healthy or good, I get influenced by either the junk food in my house or by people around me who keep eating junk. This makes me eat unhealthy cause I feel like I should also be enjoying my life like others. Idk if I even make sense. Do you guys have any tips to remain consistent with my diet and not feel like I'm losing out on life?!

Replies

  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
    A treat is not a cheat, it's choice. I've read some posters talk about an 80/20 rule. In other words, "Eat 80% nutritionally-dense and save 20% for stuff that... isn't" I never really sat down and did those calculations, but I do work a few fun foods into my diet daily. I try to ensure that they are

    1) lower in calories and
    2) helping me hit at least one of protein/iron/fiber

    So, a 140-160 calorie ice cream sandwich? That's protein, and depending on the brand, iron. Roasted chickpeas? All three. Sweet-ish dry cereal (Krave or Corn Squares)? Iron. Fiber One bars? Fiber.

    When I'm baking, I make desserts that come in at 200 calories or fewer per serving. So, this week I found a blueberry crisp recipe at 106 per serving. Last week, it was meringues for 31 calories each. It means that frosted cakes are usually off my list, but I make exceptions for my 2 nephews' birthdays. Hey, it's 2 days a year and I walked almost 2 1/2 hours to get to the last one. I earned that!

    Basically, work in the "junk" food in small controlled doses. Something like a Snickers bar might even give you a good burst of energy before a workout. (Working out is how you get fit and toned).

    Good luck!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,534 Member
    edited April 2019
    dsk2821 - You are in charge of what goes in your mouth. You have to be the Captain of that ship. Luckily at 19 it's pretty easy to stay busy and active. If you don't have weight to lose, then treats are not a problem, right? Being fit and toned means doing some activity or sport that will help with that.

    Life is going to be full of temptations of all sorts, and many of them are not good for us!

    Do the right thing(s) and good things happen. It's no one's job to do it for us. That's the hard bit.
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    edited April 2019
    Lets sort a bit of this out...

    As long as you eat healthy it's okay to eat junk in moderation, especially at your age.

    Just remember that processed foods contain so many unhealthy ingredients that weight gain is only one of many health issues that can come up as you age. Metabolic syndrome, Colitis, Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic inflammation...the list goes on. Processed food and drink (anything packaged) and little or no exercise are the main culprits of poor or declining health in today's society.
    Nothing wrong with prepared/packaged foods obviously some are beter thn others but thats the same with ALL food there no magical box magic that suddenly makes everything contained within it poisonous however it is good to note that with packaged foods tends to come extra salts and preservatives to keep the food edible longer, Not inherently terrible but good to atleast be aware of, But not afraid of.

    Clearly there is plenty of evidence stating proper nutrition is the single most important thing you can do for good health.
    Yes obviously eating well is a solid step, You cant out exercise a *kitten* way of eating. But exercise in any form mixed with eating well the majority of the time and focusin on minimizing stress and stuff like smoking and drinking.....health is much more thn what you eat

    If you want to tone up, just get regular aerobic and resistance exercises that you can enjoy and do them often. Swimming laps is great for toning...it can work muscles you thought you never had!! But then there are plenty of things you can do that are fun and great for health...tennis, racquetball, rock climbing, water aerobics, basketball, competitive dancing...
    No argument here find what you like and can stick to, If you hate it youll never stick to, Bu a good rule of thumb is it should be a little hard, If its to easy your not really going to tone alot right your not progressing, Always strive to eventually push just a little harder, Go just a little longer, Lift just a little heavier etc. Doing anything always beats doing nothing
  • JaydedMiss
    JaydedMiss Posts: 4,286 Member
    now my tips i suppose would just be dont let yourself stress to much, Every good choice leads to more good choices. Aslong as you make more good choices vs bad youll be more empowered and proud. Aslong as you take 2 steps forward for each step back your stepping in the right direction. Maybe remind yourself there apparently seems to be snacks around always in your house, So you dont have to eat it right now. Drink a big glass of water and go for a walk or whatever, Distract yourself until the craving passes. If it doesnt thn work it in or earn it.

    Sounds alot like your like me, When i eat crap i feel like crap. The above mindset took me time to develop but really helped. I had to learn to spend my calories wisely, There are thigns i refuse to live without and that is okay. I just found the things in return i could live without and swapped things around until i had a good balance. I dont need that slice of cake its meh, But chocolate covered M&M rolled marshmallow from a further store i dont get to as often is worth it for me.

    Life happens. Just focus on making more good choices.
  • mstarks01
    mstarks01 Posts: 109 Member
    I have found that the healthier I eat the less I desire junk food. When I do try something unhealthy, it usually doesn't taste as good as I thought it would.
  • S0ULdier
    S0ULdier Posts: 1 Member
    Hey everyone. This might seem a little stupid to most. But new here. And first time to do calorie count. Does it matter how much carb or sugar you take if you maintain your target calorie count a day? Or is it easier to lose weight if you keep carbs and sugars on very levels too.
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