I am going to be starting back to the gym in April. My son will be turning 1 and my daughter will be almost 3. The only time I can get to the gym is after work, but I have to pick them up by 6:00pm. Although my husband can pick them up 2 nights a week, he can't get to the sitter before 6:00pm, but we have worked out a compromise of 2 nights a week.
So, I will be picking up the kids around 5:45, going to the gym, and the kids will be staying in the gym's daycare center while I workout. Basically, I'll be getting home with just enough time to give baths, read a story and put the kids to bed. I am already conflicted over doing this with my kids, but I really need to lose some weight and get back in shape for health reasons. I have about 50lbs to lose.
I need some ideas for dinner for the kids. Something that is easy and quick to prepare. The kids like routine, so it's ok if I make one thing over the weekend, and they eat the same thing every night. My son is allergic to dairy, and possible has an intolerance to oat. My daughter has a slight dairy intolerance, but she can have a few servings a week of either cheese, yogurt, etc. I want to make sure they get a fairly balanced meal, but it has to be something that I can package easily, and that they can eat on their own, so it will be mostly finger food.
Most importantly I'd like to stay away from prepackaged foods, anything highly processed, and refined sugars. We only eat whole grains, and we avoid pork and beef, but I'm open to suggestions that incorporate beef.
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Maybe I should clarify a little bit. Where I live, there are only a few options of gyms for working out. And the closest one is about 20 miles away from my house, but very close to my job/sitte.
I have learned through past experience that the only way that I really enjoy working out is when I'm at the gym.
We don't have the space in our house for exercise equipment, and I am absolutely hopeless about following workout videos.
I can't go to the gym in the morning because the babysitter doesn't accept kids before 7am, and I would have to be there by 6am, and I will not be waking my kids up at 5am every morning. The gym's day care hours also do not open until after I am at work.
I cannot go to the gym after work because it is a 40 mile round trip and that is an excuse enough not to go.
I have a jump rope and free weights and I do jump rope for a few minutes in the morning and evening and go through a routine of strength training exercises.
I eat well, and healthy, we all do, although I do need to limit my portions a little more.
I don't just want to lose weight, I want to get in shape. If my body decides that it will never be my pre-pregnancy weight, then I'm ok with that, but I don't feel healthy, even though I'm eating healthy. Eating has never been a problem for me. But I can eat the same way now that I did before I had kids, and I am not only losing weight, but slowly gaining. 6 lbs in the past 8 months. The only difference between then and now is that I used to work out at least 5 days a week. I have had my thyroid and hormones checked, but it's a cumulative thing. The more fat that is on your body, the slower your metabolism becomes, etc etc, so it is harder to lose weight.
It's not about how I look. It's about how I feel, and I really do not feel healthy. This is the best option for me and my family givne the logistics of where we live and where my husband and I work.
I just need to know some foods that will work for the kids for dinner. They don't have to have hot meals, they'll get that the other 4 nights of the week, when my husband picks them up and over the weekend. I have 6 kids to take care of and I don't need any help feeling guilty about taking care of myself. We're talking 3 nights a week here, and I don't need your thoughts on the situation, just some advice on food. Thank you to those who provided that.
Sandwiches using your favorite meats, breads, pitas, shredded lettuce, etc.
"Salads" with matchstick cucumbers, carrots, peppers and leaves of spinach. Maybe include tomatoes without the pulp (less mess).
Fruit slices.
Turkey meatballs.
Ravioli. Can you include a little container of sauce to dip them it?
Homemade chicken nuggets.
Trail mix made of their favorite cereals. Maybe add raisins, dried fruits, etc.
Congrats on going back to the gym!
My kids love to have "snack for lunch" and I'm sure they'd love it for dinner, too. I give then yogurt or cheese sticks, fruit (grapes and unsweetened apple sauce cups are great for this), whole wheat crackers. They get protein/fruit/complex carbohydrate and it's fun for them. Good luck!
Hello... how about some kind of wrap or quesedilla with refried beans and salsa? You could do a vegan quiche (avoiding the dairy) and cook it in a muffin pan to have individual ones. You could also pack up grapes, baby carrots, cucumber slices to have on the run. What about plain old sandwiches? Or veggie burgers?
Good Luck!
S. -
Congrats on taking the steps to help you achieve your physical goals! I completely understand about time being an issue and having little ones. I do have a few suggestions for you and maybe these can work for you or someone else reading this post.
- When returning home from the grocery store, clean wash & cut veggies and fruit for snacking.
- Morningstar farms has a great selection of veggie items and are completely vegetarian.
- I make "pin wheels" using low carb, whole wheat tortillas, cream cheese (you could omit), chicken breast and veggies. Roll and them slice into bite size pieces.
- My girls like the soup on the go from Campbells.
- Apple or celery with peanut butter
- PB & J
- diced chicken chunks & steamed veggies
These are just a few to get you started. Eating on the run has never been easy. Be proud of yourself and don't feel guilty!
Hi S., what really caught my eye about your post was your description of your husband. I read the usual descriptions like "husband and best friend forever" and "married to the love of my life", etc. and sometimes feel like...Jeez, I guess it's pretty bad but my husband bugs the crap out of me sometimes. I'm also a stepmother which I guess caught my eye as well.
Anyway, I too am on the go sometimes and stay away from processed food. I didn't see already suggested:
tofu cubes, with a vegetable like peas or green beans in a little tupperware container.
I make healthy versions of muffins using whole wheat flours, fruits, nuts and veggies (sweet potato, carrot, pumpkin), and honey and molasses for sweeteners. With a sippy cup of milk this is pretty good.
quesadilla triangles are also easy to hold and I put in cheese, refrieds, spinach, tofu, and/or avocado. They are just as good cold as they are hot.
do you think they would eat a hard boiled egg?
as I'm writing this I'm thinking that you'll have to clean your car seats frequently but if it is helping you make something that you want to happen work out...it's worth it, right.
good luck!
K.
Sounds like anything you would pack for a lunch for them, that didn't need heated would be good.
good for you for taking care of your body.
Hi S.,
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Also, the website www.discoveryhealth.com as some good healthy recipes.
Good luck!
D.
There's tons of things you can do with a crock pot...google crock pot recipes and i'm sure they'll be some that you can use.
My only advice to you is to check with the gym's daycare to see what kinds of foods they accept. My gym has very strict rules about what kind of food the kids can eat in there-- cherrios in a snack cup is ok, yogurt isn't. If you're planning on having the kids eat in the car, that isn't so much of a problem.
Maybe think more "breakfast" than dinner foods? Whole grain waffles cut up, with blueberries, or cereal and milk? You could make those "backwards days" where you eat dinner food for breakfast, and breakfast food for dinner. Your 3 yo would think that was fun.
Good for you, showing your kids that a healthy lifestyle is important, and that if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of anyone else! Just think of all the extra time you'll have with them when you are older, and not dead or disabled from an unhealthy lifestyle now! (OK, I had better go finish up my work so I can go to the gym too, sigh.)
Hi S.!
GOOD GIRL, getting in shape ans eating the way you do...I am so impressed with your resolve and commitment...you go girl! :)
Now, you said you were "open" to a beef recipe...I have a quick, great one that incorporates grains.
First, I get ONLY organic, free range, no hormones, etc. groun beef. Get about a pound.
-Put meat in a medium bowl, and if you like, add an omega 3 egg.
- Then add about a cup/cup and a half of rolled oats. If you like, you can grind them a bit in the food processor beforehand.
-Mix it all up by hand then make "meatballs".
(During this time have the oven preheated to 350)
-put in the meatballs and bake for 20 minutes. Check to see if they are done by splitting one in half...if it's not pink, it's done.
I've given this recipe to all of my friends and they LOVE it. Feel free to jazz them up with onion or garlic powder, or whatever spice you like. I've even rolled in chopped straight parsley. Yum.
Hope you like it...:)
p.s these are GREAT to freeze, then just pop in the microwave...easy-peeasey!
p.p.s I saw someone recommend a crock pot. My favorite crockpot recipe book is "Fix it and Forget it" for crockpots. YUMMY, easy food!
Great work! You're going to be feeling so much better soon! I know what you mean about needing to be in a gym. I put myself through a similar boot camp after my second with MANY pounds that weren't melting off, and were starting to increase. I took both kids to the gym with me EVERY DAY for 3 weeks (not easy-my husband was out of town), and then went down to three times per week. I even got a trainer for a few days in the beginning to give me some new weights stuff even though I've been going to gyms for years. I just needed a major kick in the butt and it really worked! It took a while to lose it all completely (several months, I can't remember-but it's all gone), but I felt MUCH better and more toned and "smaller every day" almost immediately. I'm proud of you!!
Here are some of my kids favorite on the go snacks:
Crackers or whole grain bread loose in a bag with a cold soy dog. Strawberries, apple slices with cinnamon, grapes or bananas for desert.
Precooked slices of healthy Kashi pizza (cheapest at Wal Mart, and cheaper than A.'s) You may be able to find a non dairy version or make your own-they like it cold.
Organic or natural fish sticks or chicken nuggets or spinahch nuggets from health food store.
Small square whole grain bread and almond butter finger sandwiches.
Blanched asparagus pieces coated lightly in olive oil and balsamic v.
Carrot sticks. Pretzel sticks.
There are some organic breakfast bars at a discount by the case on Vitacost.com.
Good luck to you, you'll be back in shape before you know it!!!!
hey Sara,why is after work the only time you can go? What about earlier morning,after the kids go to bed,weekends,lunch hour? I realize this doesn't answer your question but it relates to your question.You and your family need to have healthy eating habits to help avoid being overweight.I understand and applaud your decision to go to the gym,but eating quick meals is not a long term solution for you or your family.That might work one or two nights a week,but sitting down and eating together should be your goal.I hope you get some great suggestions for on the go meals.What about shakes with fruit added in? They can be filling and very nutrituous,particuarly if you watch the sugar content.
hummus and pita bread--high protein--I make wraps and throw in some fresh veggies.
rice cakes with peanut butter
cut up veggies and fruit
tail mix (make your own and you can add more of the most nutritious ingredients)
smoothies (nondairy recipe)
If you are eating away from home and the kids like routine, get them both travel cups with their names that they use on the days they are eating on the run. It will make it feel special to them and provide a constant they can look forward to.
Good luck with everything. I know I found that my son loved "kid's gym", as he called it. It was a great motivator when we drove past the gym and he would say, "Mom, we gotta go there! It's been too long!"
