I need some practical dieting advice

[drivin_me_nuts]

Ummm..

I'm not a happy bunny. Ever since a certain event a couple of years ago, my diet has gone out the window. I used to eat well, I used to take a pride in cooking and it was something I used to do with my lass every day and it has many many important significances to me. I have someone new and when she is with me, I cook for us. But, in the days when I am by myself I can't be bothered.

Now when I mean 'I can't be bothered', I really really mean I can't fking well be bothered to sometimes even get up and make a cup of tea, let alone cook something tasty nutritious and 'good for the soul'. My diet of late has been dire - my motivations to 'be well and healthy' are shot to st.

I could write lots about lots, but you are a savy bunch and I don't need a deft touch, I need some help to see things differently. So, PH, give me some help here please. I need some motivation to eat better, move more and break the deep deep sense of malaise I have around food and diet. I'm not a gym person - and I never will be. I like to ride a cycle and as the days warm up, that level of activity will increase, but help me out here with this thing I need to challenge within myself - how do I motivate myself to eat better and keep sustaining that motivation over time. And odd request perhaps, but one that I really do need some 'alternate thinking' on.

Cheers,

DMN

[smiffy180]

When you cook for both of you, cook a few days worth of food -> freeze -> reheat when hungry

[mu0n]

smiffy180 said:

When you cook for both of you, cook a few days worth of food -> freeze -> reheat when hungry

Good idea!

Also, grilled chicken on a george foreman or a pan is easy!

Ahhh, Maggi So Juicy... buy them. Sooooo simple. You chuck all your raw ingredients into a bag provided (chicken breast, sweet potatoes, peppers, onions, courgettes, carrots, broccoli, green beans... anything!), put the seasoning in and bung in the oven for 35 minutes. Job's a good'un!

I always make extra and have the next day for work.

If I'm lazy I make a big omlette with low fat cheese and whatever is floating around in the cupboards.

Top tip: Finish off the omlette under the grill!

[drivin_me_nuts]

The ideas are much appreciated they really are. But I need more than that. Why the feck don't I want to eat properly. I know I should, I know 'it's good for me'... and before anyone says - it's because you're depressed, really i'm not. Aaargh, maybe i'm not explaining this well. Fecekidyfeck.

[Craphouserat]

DMN....trust me you explain everything very well. Better than anyone I know of anyway !!

Maybe now we are close to entering better weather and warmer temps you will feel like eating better. Who knows....I'm pretty much the same.

Wife and I are on the ADF diet - I've been on since Jan, wife been on it the last month. On our fast days wife eats lots of different healthy salads...lots of different things. Since beginning of the year on my two fast days a week I have 2 hard boiled eggs on toast for my meal.

Maybe it's because we're men !!??

All the best.

[bigandclever]

How would you feel about getting out of bed 15 minutes earlier and throwing some ingredients into a slow cooker, so when you get home from work dinner is already waiting? Worked for me for a while. Until I got bored of stews, anyway But what it did do was free up more time to do 'something' in the evenings.

[craigjm]

drivin_me_nuts said:

The ideas are much appreciated they really are. But I need more than that. Why the feck don't I want to eat properly. I know I should, I know 'it's good for me'... and before anyone says - it's because you're depressed, really i'm not. Aaargh, maybe i'm not explaining this well. Fecekidyfeck.

search out the root cause. Sounds to me like something has changed in your life (or needs to change) and this is your reaction to it. Find out what that is and deal with it and the appetite will return.

[Craphouserat]

craigjm said:

drivin_me_nuts said:

The ideas are much appreciated they really are. But I need more than that. Why the feck don't I want to eat properly. I know I should, I know 'it's good for me'... and before anyone says - it's because you're depressed, really i'm not. Aaargh, maybe i'm not explaining this well. Fecekidyfeck.

search out the root cause. Sounds to me like something has changed in your life (or needs to change) and this is your reaction to it. Find out what that is and deal with it and the appetite will return.

He doesn't need to search...believe me you will fell a bit crap after advising him to deal with it.

[ShyTallKnight]

I empathise with you but find that the slow cooker stews pepped up with a bit of chilli and curry powder on day 2 plus uncle bens microwave rice and the George foreman are a life saver and stop me from frequenting the local takeaway.

[Ilikebeaver]

I kind of understand.

I could do no cooking at all if I had my way. If I didn't have husband around then I would be living off snacks every day.

I live easy food and tasty bad food.

We both do really, but together we try and be good and push each other into more healthy eating habits.

In ashamed to say it, but I look forward to days when its just me so I can eat snacks and rubbish.

I think i would struggle and end up not eating well at all if we didn't eat together most nights like we do.

[drivin_me_nuts]

Thanks for the advice...

My thing is that I don't even frequent the takeaway. I either don't eat at all, or when I do it's cakes and chocolate. Comfort food?.. Probabably, but it's more the 'eat something and forget about it' kinda thing.

Tomorrow I WILL use the slow cooker. I'll get a loin of pork and cook it. In fact, fk it, I'll go to tesco now and cook one overnight!

[Some Gump]

Good, you already have a bike.

Now, get strava.

Nxt, commit to 3 goals:
1 - distance per month.
2 - new personal best on steepest local hill.
3 - 1 long ride per month.

( mine is 200 miles, wizard hill, 100km).

Since i commited to this in jan, i can't escape it. If i don't do the miles, the distance or the time, it's forever recorded, publically on strava. There is no claiming to have done x, as it's tracked on gps and if i didn't do it, it's not done.

Why is this relevant? I needed to stop smoking. In fact, i really want a ciggy right now - but i can't have one, or i'll fail (2) this weekend.
Meanwhile, i've stopped eating ste. If i want to get the miles in, as much as i love a maccies it just makes me feel cack after 30 miles or so. Now, i'm actually concious of my diet for the first time because it helps me on the bike - which i'm really enjoying, so the original targets are now completely moot (200 miles and 2 100k rides already this month, just done my first 10 mile tt in 29.23).

Imo you only need a tiny kick p the arse to get your cullinary mojo back - after all you used to enjoy it!

[Hoofy]

You need a motivational video to encourage you to cook your own food:

http://youtu.be/RtS2Ikk7A9I

[Tumbler]

What's your exercise like? Is it possible for you to get out and do something like hill walking?

Food wise, you need to start with your food shop, plan your meals carefully around the time you have available, if you are not enjoying cooking currently, then keep it quick and simple, stir fry. Food markets can be a good a good place to reignite a love of food and indredients, especially if you can combine this with a trp overseas to escape oh terrible grey weather.

Dinner parties, inviting people to dinner is a great motivator, you need to practice dishes, and on that note I will invite you to dinner if you return the favour.

G

Edited by Tumbler on Wednesday 10th April 23:23

[drivin_me_nuts]

Right. Went to bed very late last night and having spent until the early hours feeling pretty damn crap, I then started to get really angry. Really, really angry. I suppose it's the last really thorny about about living life again - I sit here now thinking that in some way it's a denial of service...

I can think of lots of reasons why ... but knowing is not enough.

So... bike washed and oiled for an ride tomorrow. (That fk cancer thread has a lot to answer for - it got me really thinking about the value of my own life. I can't deny my own life having lost someone so close to me.. It's the legacy you see, she could not eat, I could not bear to eat in front of her. I snacked or ate full of shame and guilt at being able to do so. In some respects, that's the reason why 'nourishment' is a complex thing for me now. What a fkup my brain is doing to me)

Thank you G for your very kind offer. It is much appreciated and it made me smile at your generosity. If you don't mind, can I 'reserve it for later' when I feel ready to welcome people into my own home again. )

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Thursday 11th April 15:42

[Tumbler]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Thank you G for your very kind offer. It is much appreciated and it made me smile at your generosity. If you don't mind, can I 'reserve it for later' when I feel ready to welcome people into my own home again. )

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Thursday 11th April 15:42

Of course you can, my own life is currently consumed with its own 'F**k you Cancer' moment.

But get practising, really try and think about fresh flavours and where you shop from, source a good local butcher, grow a few of your own tomatoes etc, there's a lot to be said for rediscovering the joy of flavours, ones which the supermarkets often fail to deliver.

[Ordinary_Chap]

drivin_me_nuts said:

Right. Went to bed very late last night and having spent until the early hours feeling pretty damn crap, I then started to get really angry. Really, really angry. I suppose it's the last really thorny about about living life again - I sit here now thinking that in some way it's a denial of service...

I can think of lots of reasons why ... but knowing is not enough.

So... bike washed and oiled for an ride tomorrow. (That fk cancer thread has a lot to answer for - it got me really thinking about the value of my own life. I can't deny my own life having lost someone so close to me.. It's the legacy you see, she could not eat, I could not bear to eat in front of her. I snacked or ate full of shame and guilt at being able to do so. In some respects, that's the reason why 'nourishment' is a complex thing for me now. What a fkup my brain is doing to me)

Thank you G for your very kind offer. It is much appreciated and it made me smile at your generosity. If you don't mind, can I 'reserve it for later' when I feel ready to welcome people into my own home again. )

Edited by drivin_me_nuts on Thursday 11th April 15:42

Sorry to hear about the issues buddy, I've read some of your previous posts.

I'm not sure if there is anyway I can help but if there is, I'd be more than willing although I think you need to work your issues with someone before wondering about diet.

I feel for you because I watched someone who I wasn't as close to go through the same and even at arms length it was extremely difficult for me.

All the best,
Lee

[SPR2]

I think a lot of people living on their own are snacking as to cooking a proper meal. I agree that to invite family or friends round certainly gives you motivation to cook some nice meals and enjoy some company too.