MrsTofu's Journal, 05 December 2014

From someone who has felt very ashamed of my poor choices lately, let me tell you that no one is judging you other than yourself. My advice to you would be to start planning your daily intake at the beginning of the day. I do mine every morning. I log everything I plan on eating and then I know that my calories, carbs, etc are all correct. I can always make changes or substitutions throughout the day if need be, but if I start with a plan I am more likely to succeed. Trying to make good choices before I log it I would certainly fail. Either I would eat too much, or entirely too little and end up binging because I'm so damn hungry. You are in control, even when you overeat, and you are most certainly strong enough. Chin up, it's a new day.  

Thanks Yolanda. What you are saying makes sense, I just don't know how to do it consistently. I am not used to even planning what I am making for dinner ahead of time on a regular basis, let alone knowing the calories involved. What helped you to start doing that? Were you in the habit of planning meals already? 

No I never planned anything previously. I started because it was the only way I could succeed. Even having two out of three meals and a couple snacks a day planned helps immensely. Then at least you know where you stand calorie wise before dinner, and can make better choices. I try to at least always have breakfast and lunch planned. This week I made a big dish of shrimp fried rice at the beginning of the week, and it has been my go-to lunch most days. A lot of the recipes I use for dinner I have in my cookbook on here with the nutritional breakdown and that helps a lot, but it took time to get to that point. Once you have a system set up it makes life a lot easier. I look at it this way, it was kind of a pain in the ass entering my recipe and logging the calories, coming up with serving size etc, BUT once I have it, I have it for life. It also helps you to see what alterations you can make to help the dish be a little more calorie friendly. I've learned to love it, in some sick way lol. You learn a lot about nutrition and portion sizes in the process. Start slow, plan some go-to meals and snacks for the week so you always have a fall back in a pinch, and gradually start logging frequently used recipes or meals on here in your cookbook. It's a great tool you will be able to use for a long time. I call it setting myself up for success. :)  

MrsT, After reading your journal. This what works for me. It may or may not work for you. I started in the last weeks of October and have been doing this for a little over a month now. First by joining FatSecret. Second, I read somewhere it is good to plan out your what you will eat each week before going to the grocery store. I get my calendar off the fridge and start writing down what my husband and I will have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the each day of the week. We do plan it out together. We do this every Sunday, sit down and plan our meals. Our standard breakfast is usual Oatmeal day's Monday, Wednesday and Friday's. Pancake or Waffle day's Tuesday and Saturday. And Egg day's Sunday and Thursday. That way we start out our day eating healthy. And you can change it up every day or week or stay with that routine. Then we decide what we want for lunch and dinner. It's amazing how just planning and entering our family recipe's in FatSecret has made us both realize how unhealthy or healthy they are. We can skinny the recipe down and it still make taste wonderful. The best of luck to you. Truly, J.J. P.S. In reading your journal. I come from a place where you are right now in your life. It's all in your mind set, you can chose to make your past make you feel like a victim or you can chose to let it go. Today is a new day. You are not in that situation you once where as a child. I feel and I know your pain. On lighter note, you are wanting to change just by sharing it in your journal and I for one are dam proud of you!!!  

Thank you JJ! 

For me, it isn't just about my physical choices, I've been trying to better my thinking at the same time I'm trying to better my health. I came across a book called My Big Bottom Blessing that really helped me to develop a healthier attitude all the way around. I looked it up and if you are interested and have a Kindle, it's only $2.99 right now. Wishing you much success regardless!