Ok so here goes. I just had my third child six weeks ago. After having them I am ready to start working on getting healthy and getting my body back. I trust my husband on the working out part but feel like he wants me eating too much and I'm afraid I'm going to gain weight so I just want another opinion. He has me eating every three hours which I know that is right but it's the good I'm eating that's my concern. For example for breakfast I will have one egg with a slice of cheese and piece of bread. Then three hours later I will have a slice of toast with 1tbsp peanut butter and a fruit. Then for lunch I will eat one of those smart one meals. Then three hours later I will have a granola bar then in another three hours half of a potato and baked chicken...does this sound right for losing weight and gaining muscle?
Recommended Answer:
Sounds about right. Just make sure you get at least 0.8g proten/body weight. You didn't mention your workout schedule, but I'll assume it leaves you with a caloric deficit. If you're honestly worried about gaining fat from this diet, then you can make some small alterations. For example, instead of eating that whole egg for breakfast, replace it with 3 poached egg whites in the microwave. That's 5g less of fat and no cholesterol, and with double the protein. Instead of the potato, which is a starchy carbohydrate, for dinner, replace it with a salad or mixed vegetables with the chicken, which will result in 1/3 less carbs.Other Answers:
- Well depending on the size of the cheese slice, potato, and egg you are taking in about 1300 calories. If you are exercising and not just lying around all day then this is sufficient for you to work on your muscle tone and lose weight. I am a male, larger than you, but I burn up about 1500 doing absolutely nothing besides sitting, sleeping and eating. Note: I do more than that and actually burn about 2800 calories per day. But if I DID nothing else it would be 1500.
- You're not really eating all that much food put together. If you are beginning to do some postpartum workouts, then you do have to fuel those workouts. And if you are breastfeeding, you definitely want to eat plenty.Honestly, the thing that seems a little off with your food choices is not the quantity, it's the quality of a couple of the food times. You'll get fit faster if you avoid processed foods like the granola bars and Smart Ones meals (they really aren't that smart). The sodium can make you retain water like crazy.I am 3 months postpartum right now and I've just really gotten into getting my body back. I've lost weight seriously before-- lost 45-50 pounds before pregnancy and kept it off for a couple years before pregnancy. So in my experience, the best way to lose weight is this:1) Eat only whole, natural foods. Egg, cheese, chicken, fruit, peanut butter (assuming it's natural peanut butter)-- those are the things you've listed that are good. Where are your veggies though? They're filling and full of nutrients and low in calories. Win win win.2) Don't eat grains. I'm not an Atkins fanatic or a South Beach diet fanatic... or any kind of diet fanatic, really. I just find that if I quit eating bread, cereal, rice, pasta, and other grains, I lose weight very quickly. When I add the grains back in, I usually maintain wherever I am.
- You have the right to make your own food decisions. If you prefer to eat three times a day, follow your natural proclivities. While it is recommended by many to eat frequently, if it isn't natural to you, it isn't wisest. You can check with your doctor, so that when you tell your husband about your decision, you can use some authority to back you up if necessary. Otherwise, just say it.
