Kelli, I was just logging in to ask for suggestions too! :) So I told you earlier in the week, my motivation has been a little low. I could bore you with all of my excuses (I did pinch a nerve in my neck this week, but I can't guarantee I would have worked out anyway...) but really I'm just looking for some suggestions.
One thing I struggle with is eating too late at night. So I'm going to try not to eat after about 6:00 or 6:30...basically when we finish up dinner and I feel satisfied. Really I don't need too many more calories to go and sleep. I just like to bust out the good stuff that I want to savor in peace AFTER bedtime. :)
So...lunch. I'm pretty good at breakfast, I've been trying to go with oatmeal most mornings. But lunch is a struggle for me. When Sarah's not around and I'm feeding Jake in conjunction with getting him ready for school, and Adam's lunch usually consists of graham crackers and yogurt, I usually don't eat "lunch." I just end up snacking. All day. What do you guys eat for lunch? I have time after Jake leaves but I usually fill it up pretty fast, so I don't want lunch that takes a lot of prep time, you know? Suggestions?
Also, what kinds of healthy snacks do you all eat? Because I am a big fan of chocolate therapy. :) And I'm not really that good at switching out and eating carrots and pretending I don't know the difference. Also I used to chew gum a lot to help me not snack, but I've developed TMJ and I can't chew gum for very long before my jaws are killing me. Again, any suggestions? Maybe I should try Altoids, you can't taste anything for like an hour after you eat one of those. Ha ha.
Anyway, good luck to everyone this week!
I have a couple of goals that have been helping me out a little.
ReplyDelete1. Measure out your snack.
- Whether you just eye it out or you're actually measuring and checking the calories you need to take a minute to look at what you are going to put into yourself. If I don't do this I end up wondering where the whole bag of chips went and start to feel disgusted and greasy. We've picked up the nasty habit of just eating in front of the TV. Sometimes our meal sometimes a snack. Either way, get a dish and actually decide on the amount that you should eat.
2. What time to stop eating?
- I've actually heard different points on this one. Some say it matters, others say it doesn't. Dr. Oz said that it isn't a problem with our metabolism slowing down, but the human tendency to binge eat at night that is the problem. I think it is wise to set a cut off time (mainly to remind myself that I really don't need that last cookie), but I don't see a problem having it later than the kids bedtime... ;)
3. Lunch...
- I'm really bad at having any sort of eating schedule around here. I'm afraid we are only starting to get this a little more under control. I've heard some great ideas lately about pre-making some salads and storing them in mason jars in your fridge. You could make at least a few days worth and it would be a quick and refreshing lunch. Kind of grown-up even. I'm planning on looking into that more. I like me a good salad, especially if I take the time to spice it up a little with chicken, beef, fruit, whatever. I'll keep thinking.
You can do it! Love you!
3.
Um, not sure what the extra 3 is at the end of my comment. Anyway, another thought....
ReplyDeleteSnacks. Maybe think about what it was that you enjoyed about the gum. Was it the flavor (an altoid would fix that, lol)? My mom likes to get almonds to snack on. That would give you a little crunch texture. I guess a good idea would be to sit down and actually think about what kind of snacks you like the most. If you would prefer more sweet snacks then pick up some yogurt, fruit, and granola. Salty, popcorn is actually pretty healthy compared to a lot of other snacks out there. I also like to eat carrot sticks baked a little with a little salt sprinkled on top (healthier than dressing). I think my worst problem is I don't think about it. I just snack. I really need to start planning our meals and snacks out better.
"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." That's kind of been my motto lately. "Whether you think you can or can't you're always right." has been floating around in my head a lot too.
Anyway, I'll keep thinking.
Thanks Kelli! I feel like if I think about it I already "know" all of the things I need to do. But getting some input from someone else who's also trying helps a lot. :) That's a good idea, to really think about and plan out lunch and snacks. I tend to try and plan dinner for the family, but I don't usually do a whole lot of planning for myself.
ReplyDeleteGood sayings too. I have a couple going through my mind lately too... Melanie Douglass (she's a trainer that comes on Studio 5) says that you shouldn't fear hunger. If you're never hungry, you're not going to lose any weight. Not starving to death, but just not constantly full or even satisfied. And Brett says that they always say "Hope is not a strategy" at work. That one makes me laugh. Just crossing my fingers won't work I guess. :) Thanks for the encouragement!
I've really been struggling lately. I've been down a lot the last week, and it's made it harder to be motivated to eat well. I tend to think, "I'm hurting really bad, and chocolate is at least comforting..." so I let myself off the hook a lot. Not only that, but my husband has a major sweet tooth too, come to find out. If we don't have something ready-made, he makes a cake or brownies or whatnot. And then that's harder because it's sitting RIGHT THERE lol. So I could use some low-maintenance healthy things too. I can't stand up as long to cook stuff. So that's my problem....Any ideas?
ReplyDeleteSo Mary, what do you need to do to actually get to the point that you can stand and cook and do other normal things? Could you do stuff if you were sitting? How can we give you the support to help you to get into better health?
DeleteAlso I'm sorry you pinched a nerve, Laura! That sucks! I hope you're feeling better!
ReplyDelete