I'm New here and I'm really excited about the support network that this forum has engendered.

I'm beginning this whole weightloss thing for the second time, and boy does it ever seem harder to accomplish as an adult!

Here's my problem: Happiness Makes me FAT!

Just a little backstory on me:

I was always the chubby kid at school, shopped at the plus size kid stores and everything. My favorite snack as a child was wheat thin crackers with a half a can of spray on cheese (yuck ). By 16 I was about 5'9" and 205 lbs.

That's when I got motivated. I was already in college at that point so my only responsibilities were going to school for about 4 hours a day and babysitting my little sister while my mom worked. I fell into a routine that would probably be looked at as borderline anorexic. But boy did it ever work. I ate between 600 and 1200 calories a day, with an average day being 1000 calories. And those calories did NOT come from healthy foods. You see my mom worked at the Hershey's Chocolate factory....

Anyway, I exercised constantly. And when I got too hungry, or too exausted, (or got dizzy, black outs) I just went to sleep. I slept so much that summer. They amazing thing is, I was one of those rare stories where unhealthy approach slowly turned healthier and worked. I lost about a pound every other day and soon I was down to 145lbs.

The amazing thing is I kept most of it off. I remained between 147 and 155 all through college. Through a marriage, a bankruptcy and a divorce. Through all kinds of horrible stress, I always felt I was in control of my eating and that made feel better.

Then I got happy. I got a job as an elementary school teacher (my dream job). I got my credit and finances in order. I married an amazing man who loves me and treats me like a princess. And through the bliss the pounds have crept back on... Now I'm up to a fluctuating weight of 167-177 and I can't seem to lose the weight!!!! I've been "trying" for about a year. But I can't do the whole anorexic thing anymore. My husband gets worried if I skip a meal, and brings me home all my favorite treats... Besides, as a 3rd grade teacher I need ENERGY. Any advice/support would be much appreciated! Has anyone else shared a similar experience?

I seem to live off them...even more so when I'm dieting.


Breakfast:

Watermelon Smoothie: 315 Calories 1/2 gram of fat

Lunch:

Top Ramen Soup: 400 calories (all carbs!)
Grilled Cheese Sandwich: 400 calories
(I slice of cheese two pieces whole wheat, less than 1 tablespoon of margarine)

....Yikes, that puts me up to 1115 calories today and it's only 4:00 p.m. I haven't eaten since noon and my stomach is growling
What to do...

Hi Lenore, and welcome to WLF. This is a wonderful forum, and I'm sure you'll find lots of support and knowledge here.

There are also a few teachers here too - Daise and Cannon come to mind. Also, my own wife of 31 years is a 3rd grade teacher, so I know what you mean about needing energy!

I've written a post about calculating your ideal weight in a thread in the "On Topic" forum. This thread is an Index of WLF "Keepers" -- posts that are really worth reading.

I think an important starting point of your journey is getting a realistic picture of your target and the caloric deficit you will need to get there, which is why I wrote that post. Also, you will ultimately greatly improve your chances of success if you develop a sound exercise program, even though as a 3rd grade teacher, you are probably walking around 3 to 5 miles a day, if you're anything like my wife.

If you read that article and use the calculations, I bet you'll find that 1100 calories isn't nearly enough for you, which is part of your problem.

The quality of your nutrition will play a big role in how hungry you get, too. The stuff you listed -- watermelon smoothie, ramen, grilled cheese sandwich -- are not particularly healthy choices, and not ones that are likely to keep you very satiated during the day, either.

But rather that repeat all the stuff that's in the Index, I invite you to read those posts and come back with some more questions.

Oh, and one other thing -- don't call yourself "doomed". I know you mean it humorously, but it's a way of joking about how you may really feel underneath. You are NOT doomed. You can win this battle -- with determination, knowledge, and support. The determination must come from you, but there's plenty of knowledge and support on this forum.

Hey! I thought I'd come and reply to your diary like you did for me.

I'm quite the opposite. If I'm busy or happy, I don't eat. If I'm bored or sad, I eat. Hehe.

How old are you?

I'm 17, 155lbs and 5'5". My calorie intake is 1500 and thats a bit low everyone keeps telling me. I'm just wondering how many you have a day. You say you're already at 1200 calories or so at 4pm, but I'm sure you're allowed a lot more than that.

See, you have to eat to lose weight. How good is that? But you also have to eat the right foods, and exercise. If you can do all of that no problem (I'm getting there ), then you're on the right track!

Just for the sake of it, go here and type in your info - CLICK
And then do this - CLICK

That will tell you how many calories you can eat per day and maintain your weight. To lose weight, minus 500 calories from that and aim for that number.

Why 500? Cause 500 times seven days in a week, is 3500. The amount of calories in one pound. You will lose one pound a week, BUT if you exercise too, you'll lose a bit more.

It's all very exciting. For me anyway lol.

Good luck to you, and I'll be back xx

Thanks for the comments guys!

It's amazing how hard it is to find a healthy meal at an elementary school! Today I ate in the school cafeteria and ate what my students had.

Breakfast:
Two poptarts = 400
milk = 120

Lunch:

Bean and Cheese Burrito = 400
corn = 100
pear = 45?

So nearly 1100 calories by 12:30 in the afternoon. No wonder there are some chubby little kids at my school! Isn't there supposed to be government regulations on these kinds of things?

Luckily I'm cooking a fairly healthy dinner. It's rather high in fat, but I normally eat very little fatty foods, so it doesn't bother me.

Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cream
Courtesy of Ellie Krieger

Fish:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound white flaky fish fillet, like tilapia or halibut

Chipotle cream:
1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons chipotle pepper, in adobo sauce

8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded green cabbage or lettuce
1/2 cup corn kernels (thawed if frozen)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Lime wedges

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lime juice, salt and pepper. Pour over the fish fillets and let marinate for 20 minutes. Put the yogurt into a strainer lined with apaper towel and place over a bowl to drain and thicken for 20 minutes.

Remove the fish from the marinade and grill on a preheated grill or nonstick grill pan over a medium-high heat until cooked thorough, about 3 minutes per side. Set the fish aside on a plate for 5 minutes.

In a small bowl combine the thickened yogurt, sour cream and chipotle pepper.

Heat the tortillas on the grill or grill pan for 30 seconds on each side.

Flake the fish with a fork. Top each tortilla with 1 tablespoon of the chipotle cream. Top with fish, cabbage, corn and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving Calories 420
Carbohydrates 41 g Total Fat 17 g
Saturated Fat 2 g Protein 28 g
Fiber 5 g Sodium 360 mg

YUMMM!

I made this recipe on Monday and it was sooo delicious I thought I'd share.

Oven Fried Chicken Fingers

Corn cereal crumbs and crushed crackers create a delicious coating. The yogurt tenderizes the chicken. A light spray of olive oil before baking guarantees lightly crispy results.

1/2 sleeve (about 20) whole-grain salted crackers, pulsed in a food processor until fine (about 1/2 cup)
2 1/2 cups corn cereal flakes, pulsed in a food processor to fine crumbs (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 egg whites
1 cup nonfat, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Olive oil cooking spray
2 medium sized boneless skinless chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil.

Combine the crackers and corn cereal crumbs, sesame seeds, cayenne, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Reserve.

Cut the chicken into small strips. About an inch wide and several inches long.

In a large bowl, combine egg whites, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat thoroughly with the yogurt mixture.

One at a time, dip the chicken pieces in the cracker mixture, packing crumbs onto chicken. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife.

Nutrition Information
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving Calories 270
Carbohydrates 21 grams Total fat 5 grams
Saturated fat 1 gram Protein 33 grams
Fiber 1 gram Sodium 590 mg

My wife is an elementary school teacher, and the food in the cafeteria is so gross and unhealthy that she takes her lunch with her every day. Otherwise, she'd gain about 10 pounds a year.

School meals are DREADFUL. My brother is 16 and in his last year of highschool. He's not far off being obese. He gets sandwiches smothered with mayo and fatty bacon and other meats. Cookies, crisps, coke. Thank god I was homeschooled or I'd weigh more than I do now! :O

I'd say take a packed lunch in with you. You would totally benefit from doing that. You can buy cheap little boxes for salads and pasta, and flasks for chunky soup. YUM! You'll get all the kids trying to steal your yummy lunch haha.

But really, I would definitely do that. I would actually be excited about it lol, but thats just me. I'm just strange like that.

Do you teach every day of the week?

Hey Miracle!!

I just scanned through your diary, glad you're now a member of the forum! Welcome!!
One tip that I find helpful: Put the most thought into your breakfast!! Lots of protein to get you through till lunch
Why: 1st: If you start the day off right, you'll be more inclined to finish it right
2nd: If you have a nice big healthy (protien) breakfast, you can have a lighter lunch (at school) and then have a nice big healthy dinner

-Also, eat many times throughout the day (small snacks) to keep your metabolism going. If you like veggies, munch on them midmorning before lunch just to keep you boosted, and again between lunch and dinner.

Sounds like you're off to a great start by tracking your foods

~nic~