Please help me with this....

[Reese777]

Hi Everyone,

I've been going through a valley for about 6 months to a year...noshing nonstop and I have put on some weight that is making my clothes almost imPOSSIBLE to fit into. I have finally figured out what has been making my ankle hurt (see: Fat and Friendless from a few months ago -sigh) and I've overcome that, but over the past week I've had a virus, threw my upper back out, strained my hip, and now I have a cold (thanks to my carrier monkey..ahem...I mean daughter.. ) so I'm feeling like a slug - sloth...whatever...moving slowly; heavily; without vigor :-( ).

Shaking that off...here's what my goal is: to lose 15 pounds (if I lose more then woohoo). I don't have a specific timeline necessarily, but I know that sooner rather than later would be nice. heee :7 I'm basing this on my past. In 2005, I was having anxiety issues and acid reflux, so I cut all sugar out. i stopped eating it and drinking it and I swear I lost 12 pounds in 3 weeks without really trying. It was amazing and I got down to about 138-140 and I loved it! All of my clothes fit perfectly and I just had such a boost to my self esteem. But slowly, the weight crept back on as I let sugar back into my life again.

I am wondering how you guys plan out your menus each day to make it easier to do - I find myself so incredibly frustrated at meal time regardless of where I am, because I don't want to eat poorly, but I'm hungry, and there are no healthy choices either at work or in my house. I know this is something that is really undermining my efforts.

Second, I would like your input on how long you guys workout, and how much cardio you do. Things like that. I typically workout twice a day...I'll run in the AM, then lift or run again in the PM and I think I'm doing too much and it's getting me injured - which again, sets me back for weeks, if not longer.

And finally - I'd like to know if anyone would let me check in with them for accountability purposes. I love my DH and my sweet baby girl, but they are more so junk food junkies than me. I always tell my hubby that he cooks almost in what I call a southern way (not to stereotype anyone of course) - tons of butter, bacon grease, etc. I don't like that stuff, but I am getting conflict at dinner time if I try to cook healthier foods. Neither of them have any motivation to workout, but I'm using this as another motivator - if I can finally get my head out of my...I mean the sand, and get some results, they might start taking interest in exercise and better eating.

Thanks in advance for any tips and assistance you guys can lend me. I've been feeling totally alone and miserable for a while now! :-(

 

[swayzepetsitting]

It is very hard to make good eating choices when the majority of what surrounds you is junk. I had to go through this with my mom, dad, and brother when I started eating healthy. While they were very supported, it was very hard around dinner time with all of the wonderful smelling meats and potatoes (my mom is an excellent cook).

It's been about 9 months and everyone's eating habits have changed. My mom now cooks with more than half the amount of sodium than she used to. Portions of meats are much smaller, while she prepares many more vegetable dishes than before. We spend a lot of time looking for good vegetable recipes (Barefoot Contessa has some great ones). We barely have any junk food in the house (I had a hard time looking for sweets last night, had to settle for baking chocolate). Definitely a good thing!

My dad has lost weight and feels much better. His tennis has improved as well. He even wants to try a 3 day juice diet with me!

My brother has lost a lot of weight (even though he still eats things like beef jerky sticks...yuck). We just got a juicer and he is really interested in using it.

Anyway, it does take some time, but once your family sees how much you progress as far as weight loss and overall well-being, who knows...they may change their minds about consuming all of that junk food. Good luck, and don't feel alone! Many people here are in the same position as you. You have plenty of people to confide in.

 

[nkhansen1]

You have got to keep it simple and straightforward. Do not buy butter and bacon if you know they will be cooked with and eaten on a regular basis. Don't have anything in your house that will cause temptation you can't bear. Simple as that. If you focus on healthy choices in your shopping cart, finding something healthy to snack on at home isn't an issue. A family conflict over healthy eating is a conflict worth fighting. If you find yourself making poor choices at the office, then bring your own meals and snacks and eliminate the problem.

The only meal I plan is dinner since that is the one meal the whole family eats together, and I plan those a week in advance. It's very basic stuff: spinach, big salads, in-season veggies, salmon, tuna, chicken, pork loin, turkey loin, whole grain pastas, soup & sandwiches, and red meat every now and then. Breakfast and lunch are pretty standard: scrambled eggs, oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins, Kashi Go Lean, yogurt with granola, homemade bran muffins, protein shakes, fruit smoothies, turkey sandwiches, hard boiled eggs (with yolks removed), peanut butter, lots of raw veggies and fruit. Not much sugar and only 100% whole wheat or Ezekiel bread. Absolutely NO sodas!

It's not hard to eat healthy if healthy food is mostly what you've got. Of course I get ice cream sometimes and order pizza now and then, and my kids and husband love it when I make cookies or brownies, but 90% of our diet is good stuff. You will lose the craving for sugar and excess fats if you don't eat them very often, and so will your husband and daughter. Sugar and fat are addictive substances, and if you don't believe me then you need to rent "Supersize Me." It will change the way you live and eat forever. Watch it with your husband definitely.

IMO, you need to simplify your workout routine as well. Go as hard as you can for 60-90 minutes once a day, and call it good. Give yourself one or two rest days a week so you don't injure yourself or overtrain.

I think a good place for you to start is to make a list of foods you want to get rid of, and then do it. Then make a list of healthy meal and snack choices or ingredients and stick with those. There is accountability in writing things down. Keep a food journal to keep yourself accountable to YOU. Maybe have a family council and discuss the changes that are going to be made for the good of everyone. If there's contention about it, let it go. You have got to take charge here! I always tell my family, "I don't run a restaurant. If you don't like what I've prepared, then you are welcome to leave the table. But the kitchen is closed to you." If your family won't support you in getting healthier, then that is the saddest thing I've ever heard, but do this for yourself regardless.

Now get to it, and Godspeed!!

 

[Reese777]

Hi,

Did you worry about your family before they started changing? I really worry about my daughter - she can go through "sugared" stuff in lightening speed - actually eating more portions than I think she should - (fortunately she's got a fast metabolism still, but she'll be 17 soon, and I keep telling her, that things "slow down" later in life..blahblahblah..but it's falling on deaf ears.)

My hubby has a family history of diabetes and heart troubles, as does mine, and yet he seems oblivious to it. I almost feel like when I try to eat right, he comes home with more junk. I don't think it's deliberate, but I think it's a definite move that derails my best efforts and contributes to my feeling isolated. Maybe he's afraid that he'll feel pressure to do "the right thing" and therefore doesn't want me to succeed? I don't know. I can't place much blame on him because I am definitely my own worst enemy in this case.

Do you pack your lunch every day? I find this very difficult to get formed into a habit. It's so easy to get discouraged and of course, the cafeteria at my work is just hopeless. There's very little offered there that's not packed with fat, flour and or sugar.

 

[buffettgirl]

Hi Reese, I'm sorry you've been going through a rough time. The best advice I've gotten, and one I don't follow as well as I should, is don't keep the "bad" stuff around. Fill the pantry and frig with healthy stuff and don't keep any trigger food in the house. I usually workout anywhere from 50 to 90 min a day/5-6 days a week. You may want to try one of Cathe's rotations. Also, there are plenty of check-ins and you may be able to find one that fits you. Go to the bottom of the list of forums and click on the Check in and Challenge one to find all the check ins. Good luck and stay strong.