Hello all,

I am starting anew with the new semester at school. I am married with three children and have quite a heavy classload this semester and am looking to feel better, get healthier and keep my sanity. I weigh approximately 275 - this is a 15 pound weight gain over the last few months. I have started to have health problems, namely ankle and calf swelling and it has served as a wake up call for me.

In the past I have been extremely successful with the Eat to Live method of high nutrient/lots of veggies/no junk food. I feel wonderful after about a week on that program but the initial time investment and inconvenience tend to be a blocking point for me.

I am looking for some support, like-minded people, and tips and tricks on how to efficiently get healthy with little time and on a budget and I am so happy to have found this site. I am excited about this community and changing my habits for the better.

-Goldielockes

Hi and welcome to 3FC.

Good luck with your goals.

Hugs
Michelle

Hi Goldielockes.
to 3FC
Hugs and Support on your weight loss journey

Hey Goldielockes!

I'm also a big fan of eating "real food"--as little processed as possible. Staples: greek yogurt, local honey, oatmeal, giant salads, and just lately, I'm basically made of peaches because they're in high season! I try to eat intuitively; even when I'm counting calories (which I do a few days a week to ballpark what I'm eating), I don't starve myself even if I'm over my "allowed calories" for the day. If I'm hungry, I eat a banana. Or whatever.

I also just had a massive kitchen cleanout--I went to visit my parents for a few weeks, and got rid of everything when I got back. Maybe it would work better if you had someone to give your food to--a pantry or classmates in your department (students are always up for free food, at my school!) or something.

Are your husbands and kids on board? I just have my vegan/perpetually crash dieting housemates to worry about, so I'm fine, but you probably need help from other people you shop for/who shop for you?

Do you read the blog Fooducate? They're a great blog for people who eat real food--showing which products have weird additives that people shouldn't eat, and so on; kind of like a Consumer Reports: real food edition. They also have posts about how to bring your kids along with you/keep track of what your kids eat, pretty often? It's at fooducate.com/blog

Glad you're here!

Welcome and good luck!

Dhani