Changing eating habits...

Okay, so don't hate me, but when i was growing up, and through high school, I was one of those girls who could eat whatever she wanted, and barely gain a pound (probably since i was pretty active).

But then I went to college. I stopped doing gymnastics, had too many meals at the dining hall, and managed to gain nearly 30 pounds.

I've tried many times to eat more healthy, but i keep on falling into the same trend of eating foods that aren't exactly the best - cuz face it, it's a lot eaiser to make a bowl of mac and cheese for 1 than a healthy dinner.

I have been going to Curves - which is great, but i really need to step away from the bags of chips (chocolate and sweets are not my downfall - a big ol bag of Cool Ranch Doritos or the like is )


Does anyone have any tips for changing your eating habits? Anything that worked for you? Thanks in advance!

Re: Changing eating habits...

Yes....Danielle and I would like to know to.

Re: Changing eating habits...

I am a grazer and eat all day long. I just want to grab something quick and not have to fuss! so I eat healthy 3 meals, but I also munch all day on 'frozen red grapes'. They are filling and sweet and not too bad for the dieter.

Re: Changing eating habits...

I was the same as you. All through high school and even college I ate whatever I wanted. Then when I hit about 25 things started to change. So I started to cut back on little things. I switched from eating breakfast specials everyday to eating egg whites on an english muffin/whole wheat toast or cereal. I tried to cut out a lot of heavy carbs such as bagels/sandwiches on rolls, etc. I stopped eating those huge deli sandwhiches and started making my own at home. I also tried to snack on fruit. If you buy the fruit in the supermarket, it is best to wash it, peel and cut up immediately so it is prepared when you are feeling hungry. I was never a big juice/soda person but I started drinking a lot more water.

Cooking for one isn't easy but I liked to cook 2 chicken breasts/pork chops at a time. Then eat one for dinner one night and then maybe a night or two later eat the other. Also, a lot of foods freeze well so if you make something you can freeze it in individual portions and just reheat during the week for dinner.

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Re: Changing eating habits...

My first step was to just stop buying junk food during trips to the stores. That way - you will have to make better choices. If its tempting - I try not to keep it around.


<--------------------No Will power

Re: Changing eating habits...

I suk at this also but I eat infinitely better if I plan my meals and prepare things in advance (where I can). It's when I don't know what I want that I reach for the crap or pickup something quick.

I try to plan meals so that I have left overs for lunch the next day.

It's great for the budget too

Re: Changing eating habits...

My solution is I just don't bring the junk into my house! If its not there I can't eat it. I used to buy some junk for DH but now he is eating healthier too.

I bring a big bag of food to work everyday...I get made fun of for this but it works for me. I bring my mid-morning snack and my mid-afternoon snack along with my breakfast and lunch. No snack is more than 3 grams of fat or 100 calories. I never let myself get hungry...so I never overeat and need to just grab something bad fast.

These are some of my rules. I have been keeping this up for many years now and I can say since college I have lost 20lbs bringing me to my lowest weight ever.

Good Luck!

Re: Changing eating habits...

I USE TO BE THE SAME WAY. I COULD EAT ANYTHING I WANTED. NOT ANYMORE.

MY PROBLEM IS AT WORK. ONE OF THE LADIES IN THE OFFICE BRINGS IN CANDY, COOKIES, CAKE AND ANYTHING FATTENING YOU CAN THINK OF. THESE TEMPTING TREATS SIT RIGHT ACROSS FROM MY DESK.

EVERY MORNING I TELL MYSELF 'I WILL NOT BE HAVING ANY OF THAT.' BUT BY THE AFTERNOON IM DOOMED. ZERO WILL POWER FOR ME.

CAN ANY ONE SUGGEST SOME HEALTHY YUMMY SNACKS I CAN BRING TO WORK TO SNACK ON.

Re: Changing eating habits...

I need some willpower too

Re: Changing eating habits...

I think everyone here has made good suggestions. If you plan ahead, it makes it so much easier. You also should try to have healthy snacks or small meals on hand that are easy to prepare or require no preparation - a great thing to eat is snack size containers of cottage cheese on rice cakes - cottage cheese is pretty much pure protein, low in fat, and low in carbs.

Try to cut out refined carbs - eat wheat bread instead of white, brown rice instead of white, avoid sugar.

I try to eat six small meals per day instead of three big, each with a portion of protein and a portion of quality carbs. I also like to make enough food to have leftovers to take to lunch. Money saver and prevents you from buying that bag of chips with your sandwich.

Also for snacking, veggies are better than fruit - fruit has a lot of sugar in it - peppers, carrots, cucumbers, etc.

Healthy dinners don't have to be a hassle to prepare - get a grill pan, or a George Foreman grill - it's so easy to throw a baked potato in the microwave (try it with salsa and low fat sour cream) and grill a piece of salmon, or chicken or a small steak. Microwave some frozen spinach or peas or broccoli. Great balanced meal!!!!

Re: Changing eating habits...

i agree that not bringing junk food into the house is huge... if it's not there, you won't eat it!

i also agree with planning ahead, so that you don't get super-hungry and munch on whatever is around.

the other thing that in the past has motivated me to eat well is actually exercise... i realized that when i ate healthy stuff, i had a good run. when i ate junk, i had a terrible run. it occurred to me that food really is fuel!! (of course, now i'm doing neither exercise nor healthy eating... but that's another story)

Re: Changing eating habits...

thanks for all the suggestions! I'm trying not to buy junk as much as usual (but it's hard when you have a roommate who loves to bake )

I've tried buying those serving sized bags of low-fat popcorn, which i've been munching on, as well as other more healthy foods. It will take a while - but I'm trying :)

Thanks again!

Re: Changing eating habits...

Deb- let's be eating helpers too! As well as curves buddies. My biggest problem is junk food and candy at work. I don't keep it at home but the amount of junk at school is incredible. I will send you FM to keep us on track if you want to do the same!