Controlled environments

[Archmage]

I live in a half-way house (glamorous,I know) and most of the time I only have a choice between what's being served...and not eating.Nonetheless I have been on induction for a while.11-13 I started a low calorie diet...til I found Atkin's on the 20th.I have been on induction ever since.I started at 265 and am now at 239....so I'm doing quite well so far.I do have some nutritional questions though.I can't afford vitamins...a friend gave me some...but I'm almost out.I do ok for breakfast when I can eat the eggs and sausage/bacon.Sometimes I have some spinich/greens/ or greenbeens for lunch maybe with a can of tuna...I often don't really eat much of anything for lunch as they usually serve PB&J. Dinner is generally a big plate of carbs plus whatever meat dish they happen to serve.I only eat the meat...every once in a while I'll have some veggies but they usually serve corn or peas or beans...all of which are rich in carbs.So aside from the odd can of veggies,all I eat is meat/fat/protein.I pigged out on chedder cheese last weekend and ate like 8 ounces in one evening.After I ate the cheese I got really intense ketosis taste in my mouth(I usually don't get any cheese) Anyway,is my eating bad? it seems to be working.will it be harmful not to eat more greens?will eating more veggies increase my weight loss...or reduce it? I only get about 20bucks a month to spend on supplementary snacks,I've been eating pork rinds,canned meats,cheese,olives and pickles.Are there any other low/no carb snacks that I can get for cheap? Thanx for taking the time to read this.

[LuckyD]

Re: Controlled environments

Seems to me you need to try and add more veggies. The veggies will provide you with the nutrients you are not getting from not taking vitamins. For a cheap snack try celery and blue cheese dressing, or cream cheese. Buy salad fixin's and eat those. Try and find a way to incorporate more veggies into your day. I know it may be tough, but you will benefit greatly from them. I also know some places do not have a lot of fresh veggies to choose from. If you have a farmers market near by take advantage of that. Or else buy frozen veggies, they are tastier and hold more nutrients in them than canned.

[liv]

Re: Controlled environments

That is tough. You have done very well given all those limitations. Any way you can lobby for some broccoli or spinach or something? Make sure that every time they do have legal vegetables, you take advantage of it. Also when you do have a chance to go shop for something you may pick up a vegetable to enjoy there and then. Jicama is a good one to just chew down on.

We eat vegetables because they are very healthy and nutritious and they do not interfere with the blood sugar. In the long run if we learn to eat vegetables we will be able to remain thin and healthy. It is a win win situation.

It would be great if you could continue to take vitamins. Any family you can ask for a bit of help in that area?

I am trying to think about what else you can do. I think the snacks you did choose sounded like good choices. Do you have access to a fridge or a microwave?

[Archmage]

Re: Controlled environments

I have access to a microwave....I could probably store veggies in the fridge (I doubt anyone here would want them lol) Celery and bleau cheese sounds interesting...I do miss crunchy stuff. Thanx Ladies.

[IrishSarahHB]

Re: Controlled environments

Well you are doing the best you can, and thats all you can do .. ( and doing a good job at it i might add).. It takes a little bit of creativity at the store when you have such a small budget huh?

I think getting the canned meats are important incase they serve spagetti or something for dinner .. you want to have a back up plan.. and some canned veggies.. maybe try a dollar store for some vitamins..

Good luck

[Beekel]

Re: Controlled environments

I must I am impressed too that you have been able to weed out the good stuff and work with it. A few suggestions (FYI I'm not a pro at this diet like some here but just some ideas):

1. Check out youtube for low carb recepies, those fixins are rather cheap and usualy take a microwave to cook.

2. With your $20 a month can you buy just a head or two of green leaf lettuce a week. I think they run anywhere from .99 cents to $2.00 in my area. What I am thinking is you can cut them up and have some each day with a simple salad.

3. If there is meat in a meal can you get to it before it gets added to the rest meaning for example if they have hamburger that will be added to a caserole can you get your hands on some burger before it's added?

4. One thing I have learned after a short time (2 weeks-ish) is that you need less and less food. I have to remind myself to eat so at least you won't feel hungry all the time as if you need lots of food.

5. Can you save breakfast leftovers for dinner? Sounds silly but maybe you could take a few extra sausages and eggs and tuck them away to supliment dinner.

I hope any of these help. Keep up the good work. Feeling good is so worth the effort.

[Archmage]

Re: Controlled environments

Thanx Beekel.I have been intercepting the meat b4 it gets into other dishes.I was forced to eat some chicken w/ BBQ sauce on it the other day.but it didn't really mess w/ m(ketosis wise).I started a new job today,doing construction.I swing a sledgehammer most of the day so I should be shaping up.I'll also be able to buy my own food,

[Beekel]

Re: Controlled environments

That's great news. Looks like you are determined, I'm so impressed. Keep it up and enjoy the exersize at work.

[eclectikat]

Re: Controlled environments

you can buy a multi vitamin fairly cheap at walmart... a store brand likely a couple month supply for under 10 bucks... I highly recommend making this a priority. something is better than nothing and you will be suprised the difference... especially when you eating can be limited.
Congrats on your hard work so far... it sounds like you are really making an effore to turn things around for yourself... You have the power to make it happen.!
kath

[Archmage]

Re: Controlled environments

Wow...thanks everybody,you are a very supportive group of people.I'll make it a priority to get some vitamins.I was at first reluctant to post or explain my circumstances.My life is so ghetto that I'm hardly in a position to swap recipes,but...this is good.

[clogger]

Re: Controlled environments

Congrats on the job ! Given the obstacles you defined you are doing great!

What a blessing that you'll have money from your job for buying good food to fuel your body and help you lose weight. FYI - If finances ever get tight again I would suggest reaching out to a church or a food pantry ~ they are there and willing to help out those in times of need.

Veggies are very important and some items are a lot cheaper than others. I would definitely try to get in your leafy greens. Peppers, celery, cucumbers, and mushrooms are great in salads. Oil and vinegar can be used as dressing. Multivitamins are also important. The generic ones are just as good as the name brand ones.

Best of luck to you!

[MySkinnyMission]

Re: Controlled environments

im sorry idk what a half way house is.. but can you get food at the food bank??

[Archmage]

Re: Controlled environments

No food bank right now,not really.I'm gonna be able get my own food now.I'm just limited to microwave prep.And refrigeration is an issue...I have a hard time with perishibles.FYI a halfway house is a cheap( sometimes free) communal living situation for people in Dire straits(Alcoholics,addicts,ex-cons,homeless,etc.) I'm rebuilding my life from drug addiction...been sober 9 months.I'm doing well.I looked into the Army as an alternative and they told me I needed to lose weight...that got me started studying diets.I ended up here.So there you have it.