A Lifetime of Fat

• quarterlifecr...
  
  Posts: 53
  
  
  Aug 18, 2010 1:45 PM GMT

  I don't know how many people here can relate to this but I grew up in a family of really heave eaters. We're Cuban, and for those who don't know, that means cooking with a ton of carbs and fat. Yes, I know... Cuban food is delicious but its also horrible for you. My entire family is extremely overweight, some are morbidly obese and I seem to be the least of the issues at home. I probably have a good 15-20 pounds to drop and I want to start gaining muscle but I'm overcoming so difficulties:
  
  1) I currently live at home. I JUST graduated about a week ago so I'm currently just saving up the money to move out. My family at home, eats horrible. Thus, I've been eating horrible too. It's hard to say no the free food. You know, the one I don't have to cook and am expected to eat.
  
  2) My job is an hour away so I find myself in a time crunch cause I don't know what to pack for a lunch. I also find myself pretty tired, probably because of my diet to pack something the night before.
  
  3) I was so busy in grad school that I barely had the time to breathe. Let alone, go to the gym. To be honest, I've been to plenty of gyms and the only thing I knew how to do was run.
  
  I'm looking for some advice on how to overcome these obstacles and maybe some in shape friends on here that could mentor me along the way?
  
  Thank you guys.

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  Aug 18, 2010 5:11 PM GMT

  I have a similar family like yours. If it ain't fried, it just ain't food kind of Southern mentality. And don't ask me about eating something that didn't have a mamma. Recently, I have been able to make my mother use better alternatives, such as using olive oil, and PORTION CONTROL. You can also make a better menu and convince your mother into making it. Overall, a pound of protein cooked at home is more expensive than a pound of vegetables. Your mother might appreciate the savings. Tell her if she doesn't have to fry or cook these vegetables, she can save a lot of time and energy. If you have the space, have them try to grow fresh vegetables and fruits. It might become a hobby. They will be more likely to use those products if they are home grown.
  Try to integrate healthier substitutes into your food, even if they they don't do it. Lessen portions fats and proteins and add more fresh produce on your plate. You can make bulky foods for yourself like soups and salads for lunch-they don't take a lot of time or effort.
  Running is fine, but it's boring to me. You can also do other things you might enjoy like swimming or playing a sport with your family, even just Frisbee. You can just do aerobics in between-YouTube has a lot of videos on that like P90X or even Billy Blanks or something. You don't have to have a lot of equipment or space or spend money on a gym membership.

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• quarterlifecr...
  
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  Aug 18, 2010 5:15 PM GMT

  carmineastoria saidYou don't have to have a lot of equipment or space or spend money on a gym membership.

  
  
  Oh - I'm okay money wise by the way. I'm a college grad and was lucky to get employed right away.
  
  Thank you for the advice.

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• MikemikeMike
  
  Posts: 6932
  
  
  Aug 18, 2010 7:57 PM GMT

  For many latin americans the diet here is poison to them. In their respective countries they ate very little processed sugars-not alot of processed meats and had to work very hard for small amounts of food. When they eat american food their bodies go into to storing the fat and sugar mode for lean times, but here in america these foods are NOT scarce.

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• quarterlifecr...
  
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  Aug 18, 2010 8:40 PM GMT

  MikemikeMike saidFor many latin americans the diet here is poison to them. In their respective countries they ate very little processed sugars-not alot of processed meats and had to work very hard for small amounts of food. When they eat american food their bodies go into to storing the fat and sugar mode for lean times, but here in america these foods are NOT scarce.

  
  
  Your right, I don't think us latinos, genetically speaking, have it too easy in the losing weight/gaining muscle game. I so a lot of people my race down here struggle in weight loss, but none the less I'm trying to make a lifestyle change.

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• commoncoll
  
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  Aug 19, 2010 1:37 AM GMT

  What the first guy said was pretty good. I also convinced my mother to use olive oil. You can't really tell a difference. Eat meats like fish more than others. If you have time, cook dinner yourself sometimes. Try to get your mother to bake and grill more than fry. Cut down on salt.
  Running is fine. If you like bodybuilding, that is fine also. Gymnasiums usually have other classes too you might try.
  For yourself, grill meat in bulk. Freeze it, and make sandwiches with it. You can also broil or bake or just stove-cook chicken and make sandwiches or wraps for yourself. They take little time and are healthier than eating out.

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• MikemikeMike
  
  Posts: 6932
  
  
  Aug 19, 2010 11:18 AM GMT

  quarterlifecrisis said

  MikemikeMike saidFor many latin americans the diet here is poison to them. In their respective countries they ate very little processed sugars-not alot of processed meats and had to work very hard for small amounts of food. When they eat american food their bodies go into to storing the fat and sugar mode for lean times, but here in america these foods are NOT scarce.

  
  
  Your right, I don't think us latinos, genetically speaking, have it too easy in the losing weight/gaining muscle game. I so a lot of people my race down here struggle in weight loss, but none the less I'm trying to make a lifestyle change.

  
  
  I would agree on an american diet losing would be harder, BUT not muscle gain. One of the gyms I belong to has many latin men, and there are a ton with muscle bods, and some I know on a personal level are chemical free-non roided. You also have a better chance of not getting stretch marks! Not all, but alot have perfect skin. I have good skin, but light for an Italian american.
  
  I have been reading about foods for certain blood types, which tend to coincide with your place of origin.
  I will let you know when I know more about it. Hopefully it's not just BS.

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  Aug 19, 2010 11:46 AM GMT

  The trick to lunches on the run is planning. You can buy whole roasted chickens at the supermarket and take part of that each day with a pre made bagged salad. They also sell frozen grilled chicken breasts in bags that you can defrost individually..makes a great quick sandwich. I like to spend a little time each Sunday getting the lunch stuff ready...just a thought.
  
  You might also look into some meal replacement protein shakes to take along to the gym. (there are some excellent gym routines on this site btw)
  
  Just a thought
  
  

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  Aug 20, 2010 11:22 AM GMT

  Italian parents can't possibly be any better. In my experience, it's the fat that you gotta eliminate. For the carbs, just ask yourself, "does this carb come with vitamins/minerals?" If yes (potato), then enjoy; if no (muffin), then cross it off your list. The closer that a carb is to its natural state (rice, especially brown rice), the better it will be for you; the farther from its natural state (pasta), the worse it will be.
  
  In liquid foods like soups and stews (ahh, the ropa vieja!), the fat will rise to the top and congeal when the food is refrigerated. Then you just pick it off and throw it away--the flavor and consistancy of the dish will not be harmed at all. If you use this technique, you will be better off heating up last night's leftovers for your dinner. Or pack them up the night before and take them for lunch.
  
  Use some of the money that you are earning to start contributing healthy things for the dinner table--fresh, raw vegetables for a veggie plate, fixings for salads, no-fat salad dressings, skim milk, no-fat sour cream to top a baked potato, butter spray for toast, etc. Your family will appreciate your thoughtfulness and you will be doing good for them as well as yourself.
  
  If your family already is supplying you with plenty of fat, don't add problems of your own. For example, you can lighten up the typical breakfast of an egg sunny side up and buttered toast by skipping the butter--use the yellow of the egg to "butter" your toast. Remember. alcohol in the glass = fat on your ass. And, when you do buy a lunch, make it low fat to counter what you're going to be served for dinner.
  
  It takes thought and planning, but it's all part of being a healthy adult. Much better to take responsibility than to blame those you love.
  
  
  
  

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  Aug 20, 2010 4:51 PM GMT

  My mom has this idea that if you're not at least 50 lbs overweight, you're not "healthy."
  The healthiest thing I ever did was move...1400 miles away!

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• JESIE
  
  Posts: 1616
  
  
  Aug 20, 2010 4:58 PM GMT

  1) Be determined to loose weight
  2) Diet if you have to and balance out your life with working out aswell
  3) Try and avoid the foods that you know wont help you
  4) Encourage your family to also eat healthy, and if they don't thats their choice
  5) Always be willing to stay focused on you goal.
  
  Look at me
  by the time i was a Junior in H.S. I was 250 lbs with a 42 in waist (picture of me on my profile at 250 lbs) I was being picked on at home and at school
  Now I'm a healthy 180. I try to work out everyday.
  
  FOCUS

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