weight control

[PJBC]

i am 5fr4in, weight approx 185lbs.

i started gaining weight when i became a nurse working nights.
i am ready to get rid of this weight. dieting does not help as my husband and i eat for entertainment. i dont have time for a steady exercise plan. i guess i either just dont care anymore and have no motivation.
any ideas.

[jeh57]

Hi there.......................I know what you are talking about! Being a nurse and working nights.........................I worked nights also................We do tend to have strange eating habits...........I got into the habit of eating anything i could find,not paying any attention to the calories at all!!!! I would hit the snack machine at work..eat little packages of crackers all night long! Not a good thing!! I actually never gainned alot of weight...but it still wasn't healthy eating! I knew that...but done it anyway.

First of all............you must be motivated to loose those extra pounds that you have put on.................it might take alittle time to get started! I also know what you mean...when you say you and your husband eat for entertainment!!! Our whole society is about eating! My husband will call me and ask...what are you cooking tonight?? I rarely eat the same food that i cook him....he wants the fried chicken,mashed potatoes and gravey, and mac. and cheese....and of course a big hunk of cake! And yes,he has gainned weight since we married in 1999....about 35 lbs....He carries it well,tho!

It might help you to not call it a diet....call it a food plan....If your husband is overweight,try to get him involved,too...............pay attention to calories! That is the most important thing to do....try to eat healthy food....fruits,veggies,lean meats,etc......get rid of the chips,cookies,....all that junk food!! Easier said than done...been there and done that!!! Throw in alittle exercise every day...walk as much as you can....i park in the far end of the parking lot at our stores....two benefits to that...i get exercise walking and my truck doesn't get hit by other peoples car doors! Lol....seriously now...............if you really want to drop some pounds,you can! Pay attention to every thing you eat and drink.......You can do this...but you have to want it!! It is 14 weeks until Christmas.....lets get started right now on a new slimmer you....you could easily be 15-20 lbs lighter by Xmas! Take one day at a time! Best of luck!! We are all here to help and encourage you..............stay in touch!! Janice

[peekawho]

The starred word was s p a r k p e o p l e.

[peekawho]

I've worked nights for 30 years as a nurse.  It does lend itself to some extra eating, especially to try to stay awake.  Plus, when you are very tired, you may be tempted to make some less than wise choices.

As with most lifestyle changes, you have to have the desire to lose weight, but more importantly, you have to make the decision to do it.  Until you have both the desire and make the commitment to yourself, it will be hard to be sucessful.  Not impossible, but hard.

I lost 50 pounds with Weight Watchers.  I did not exercise at all until I met my goal, but I'm sorry I didn't start sooner.  (I never thought I had the time, either).  Now that I am exercising, I do enjoy it.  I go to the gym at the oddest hours (my gym is open 24 hours), but I make it a commitment to myself, easily as important as my food choices.
You do not have to go to a gym, though.  You can get plenty of exercise right in your own home, or by walking/running, or by other means.

Browse the forum here--there are many posts with simple ideas you can use to begin cutting down on hidden, unwanted calories and fat.  There is a great website, w w w dot *********** d o t com (take the spaces out) where you can look up the caloric values of the food you eat.

There is a wealth of information available out there.  If you really want to do this, AND you make the decision to do it, you will find yourself feeling better about working at it.

Eating is not really for entertainment, but I do know where you are coming from.  Eating is for nourishing our bodies first and foremost, but enjoying food that tastes good is also essential.
Take a look at the Healthy Cooking Forum, where we post light recipes that taste good, and are easy to make for people pressed for time.