Struggling Again...

[Snuggles11]

I did three weeks on Atkins, then went on a cruise and lost all of my progress. When I came back from the cruise I decided that I would do three more weeks before I even weighed myself to get a starting weigth because I was sure I had gained a lot of weight on the cruise. As it turns out, I was right. Scale says 194 when prior to the cruise I was at 186-88. I gained quite a bit, and that's after three weeks of supposed loss. Seeing that number frustrated me, and made me feel a little hopeless.

I haven't been exercising, and I know that's a downfall of mine. And I've been drinking a starbucks coffee with cream every day. I think I should cut that out, I can't control how much cream they put in it. Outside of that, this is three weeks on induction and I haven't physically seen a difference and the number on the scale is really depression-this is my highest weight EVER.

I'm going to stick to it for another three weeks and starting Monday I am accepting no less than three days a week at the gym for those three weeks. I will re-evaluate at the end, but I'm just feeling so bummed today!

I think the hardest part is that I feel like I spend all the time that I'm not at work, home cooking food in preparation. I don't like spending what little free time I have preping food. I try to just eat hamburgers without the bun, but it adds up when it's 6.00 a day plus my grocery cost. I've tried cooking chicken in bulk but it dries out. Any ideas of things that I can cook in mass, quickly, that will be work appropriate without any preparations?

[kellypa2678]

Re: Struggling Again...

You could check out this web site http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html as it offers a variety of casseroles and other things that you can make ahead of time that will last you for the week without drying out. I do all my cooking for the week on Sunday evenings.

Good luck with the next 3 weeks, you can do it!!

Kelly

[dreamof145]

Re: Struggling Again...

I cook on Sundays and make freezer bags of meatballs, hamburg patties, chicken breasts and other meats. I pre-measure my cheeses and veggies and put them in small tupperware containers or baggies also. This saves a lot of time. I also like tuna, so I eat that quite a bit for lunches and quick meals.

The way I look at it is that I'd have to eat no matter what ~ so eating healthy is worth any extra time spent in preparing it. If you do most of it one day a week, then you don't have to spend the time cooking the rest of the week. I used to spend lots of time making spaghetti, peeling potatoes plus I save money not going to fast food places. I actually enjoy planning my meals and knowing that I'm going to benefit from the way I feel and staying healthy. I freeze my foods in baggies and tupperware bowls in the right portions and just have to grab and heat at mealtimes.

Take the experiences you learned from your cruise and make up future plans for next time you go away. Each time you meet an obstacle that causes you to lose focus is a learning experience to devise a future plan for success. I have a whole book of plans on vacationing, weekend get-a-ways, one-day outings, hospital stays, invites to dinner, invites to lunches, and many other tempting occassions that could be cause problems in my WOE.

You don't have to stress over eating, be in control and think positive thoughts about how you are improving your life, your body and your mind.

[Elizellen]

Re: Struggling Again...

I 'third' the suggestions for doing a big 'cook' once a week so you can have quickly prepared food when you are busy.
One good tool for a busy person is a crockpot or slow cooker. I often just lay a layer of sliced celery and spring onions (green onions in USA) on the base of mine, add meat (usually chicken), a good sprinkle of some kind of spices or seasoning and a cup of water, switch it on and leave all day (or overnight if you dont mind sleeping through and waking up to the delicious smells).
It makes a lovely moist job of the cooking too - the meat just falls apart!

Another standby for me is crustless quiches. I often make 2 at a time, one for the current meal and one to cool, slice and store for quick'n'easy breakfast and snacks.
It takes very little longer or more cooking effort to make 2 at a time I have found.

[dreamof145]

Re: Struggling Again...

Elizellen reminded me of the crockpot and I also use the George Forman sometimes to re-heat my meats and give them that grilled taste. You can put fresh veggies in with the meat and its almost like having quick barbeque.