Hubby Is Chubby and I'm Not

I'm thinking that what I did while pregnant may work for you. My husband needed to loose 68lbs to go back into the army so what we did was for dinner I would add lentils to almost everything I made and cut out all carbs for him. the kids and I ate rolls and such with dinner, but he just got meat and veggies. Its easy to prepare that way and when you are making pasta, just add lentils to the water about 15 min before you add the pasta, the lentils will take some of the place of the pasta and add a ton of proteen. They don't taste to bad either. We also substituted Spaghetti squash for spaghetti noodles and I made a few regular noodles for myself using the same sauce for everyone.

The key for us was veggies and more veggies. Meat was a biggie too and so was portion size. mine were a little bigger, his a little smaller. Now I'm trying to loose weigh to since the little man is here and I am cutting down everyone's carb intake.

Hope this helps

P.,

i am trying the SLIMSHOTS and are working wonders,
even my husband went from a size 46 pants to 44 in 6 weeks.

email me for more details.

tecuento123 at yahoo
Oly

I don't think that eating more is the solution. I used to weigh 150 lbs 10 years ago, now I am 115. I love being this size...some tell me I am too skinny (compared to the average American, yes). I feel great. You have to learn to LOVE yourself the way you are. The point is, How well do you feel? Do you take a good multi-vitamin (not centrum or one-a-day)? Also, Omega-3 is very important (Barleans Essential Woman). These may also help with depression. Do you have a high metabolism? Are you active? I am sure your acitvity levels have gone up if your are no longer depressed. The key to eating healthy is avoid fast food, dairy (www.notmilk.com), sodas and high fructose cornsyrup. Learn to drink plenty of purified water. Please remember that not all calories are the same...the empty calories are not good for any of you. Try healthy snacks like raw almonds, and walnuts. Avocados are a great healthy fat. You don't want to gain unhealthy weight. I also like to buy preparred meals from Whole foods (a 3 course plate is $5.99 about the same as some fast food), got pricey so I learned to make some of my own. They will shed weight by elliminating these things, and your whole family will be healthy. I hope this helps. I have a B.S. in Holistic Nutrition. I can be reached at www.mybiopro.com/claudia13 if you have other questions.

I would think that you don't want to gain the wrong kind of weight... as in weight acquired through fat and 'empty calories' (sugar). My initial thought is that your family meals should be 3 health conscious meals (no more junk food, sodas, or snacking for them) and then you should be having 2-3 additional smaller meals during the day that are more high calorie and high protein... be it protein & carb shakes, whole grains and cheese, dairy fat, etc.

And if you increase your muscle mass, that should also increase your weight; while they need to also exercise to lose weight. Because you don't necessarily want to put just fat and density on your body. You want some toned muscles, otherwise you'll have 'flesh' that lets your fingers sink to the bone when you squeeze your arms and legs.

I'm not a nutritionalist or a physical trainer, but I would think you would want to be in touch with both in order to make sure you fill out with the correct dietary plan.

Try homemade gourmet. Healthy and great tasting. I do not sell the products but here's a link of a friend who does and she's listed locally on mamasource too.

www.homemadegourmet.com/leann21012

Hi there -- I think I may actually have some usable experience with this!!

In my case I'm the one who needs to keep food and calories restricted so as not to balloon, my 7 year old (as of today!) is a little chubby and definitely benefits from 3 healthy meals with lots of vegetables and lean protein and some whole grains, some healthy fat and a fruit dessert, while my husband is a body builder whose tendency is to be very thin and who is bucking nature the whole way as he loads on muscle. I would not recommend that anyone eat the way we do, because it has a lot of problems, but the basic concept might help. Every morning, Steve makes his own breakfast (3 eggs, 3 egg whites and oatmeal, and sometimes bacon) while I make oatmeal for my daughter and a particular breakfast for me that doesn't matter here because you are trying to gain weight. I make my own lunch, my daughter gets lunch at school, and Steve eats two lunches, one around 11 and one around 2-3 -- both very clean -- both, vegetables, whole grains and not a lot of fat, but two whole lunches. Once a week we try to meet to have lunch and so he eats one of his lunches with me around 11:30. Then at dinner we often eat together and sometimes we even the same thing -- protein, vegetables, whole grain pasta or brown rice, maybe some tomato sauce, or sometimes we do what we do for breakfast with Steve making his own dinner, and me making something like Amy's spinach and pizza rolls of some vegies for my daughter and tofu and vegetables over a salad for me. Before bedtime Steve eats another meal -- it used to be a sandwich, but now its pure protein -- turkey and cheese.

The basic idea that I think might be usable here is that both nutritionally and socially, you will be happier if you don't take in all your calories when the other two members of your family do. You can eat meals with them, and then just eat two additional meals to get your food intake up to what is right for you. A great source of information for this stuff is Bodybuilder.com --particularly the "over 40" section. I have never gone on myself, but my husband lives there and there is a lot of good information about nutrition that circulates there -- one thing I learned from them, through him, is that there are three basic body types -- one type struggles to keep weight on, one is neutral, and one must work to keep weight off. It helped to realize that my husband and I have different body types and that to be healthy we really do need to think about food in very different ways, but it is also great to know that "good food" is pretty much "good food" -- that is, a high ratio of vegetables and fruit, lean protein and whole grains without too much fat (but definitely not cutting out all fat, which is dangerous), and choosing healthier fats like olive oil, avocado, butter and nuts is good for everyone in the family, but the amounts need to be radically different based on body type and exercise levels. If eating so often strikes terror into your heart, there are of course some good supplements out there -- milk shake type things, that could easily replace one of the extra meals, and maybe both if you're desperate (but check all this out with your doctor or at least on a site like Bodybuilder. com where folks are dealing with the complexities of healthy weight gain and nutrition constantly.)

hope this helps!
M.

A few Ideas:
Try PORTION DISTIBUTION. Put larger portions of starches/breads on your plate (If you need them to round out YOUR healthy meals), and give them more veg and lean protein. Maybe not enough to make much off a visible difference yet, but maybe increase slowly.

Try BUYING SOME SMALLER DINNER PLATES. The smaller size is just a visual tool to make them feel like they are getting same size portions or more than they may have been used to. You can nibble while you cook, but keep them out of the nibbling circle. When it comes time to serve, place portions on the plate so it looks like they have more than they are expecting. Serve or cook just the portions that will satisfy that meal only.

Consider a plate WITH A SLIGHT PATTERN maybe on one side (green/brown. red colors). The pattern and colors may be a disguise for an empty spot on the plate, not looking so empty to them. (Which makes them feel like they are not missing out on something).

During the meal, ENCOURAGE FAMILY DISCUSSION. (Since you are not "supposed to" speak with food in your mouth). Discussion usually leads to taking longer to eat.... which leads one to get more full than they may be used to in less time. (Giving their food a chance to get down there, cause they are spending more time talking).

Another idea would be: ....If you find you have cooked more than what should be served, PUT IT AWAY BEFORE YOU SERVE THE FAMILY MEAL. I get out a lunch container, and fix a portion IN THE KITCHEN for my hubby to take to work, next day or freezer it up. This way, they aren't going back in for more. If you find they are truly hungry, it won't be so far away that you can't microwave the leftover container.... if you really need to.

Best of luck, hope this helps!

Hi P.,

Well, we all know when it comes to our bodies eating rounded meals and exercising is the best thing you can do whether your over or under weight. Portion control is key 3 meals a day, 2 snacks a day. Your body needs food. Put a bowl of mixed fruit and nuts out. Plan out what your going to eat for the following week your less to stray if you do that. Increase activity at least 30 mins. a day. We gain when were not active esp. as we get older. Walking, playing tennis, throwing a Frisbee or just moving around is a great way to start. To gain weight your body needs protein, their are several weight gainer shakes on the market you just add them in between your normal meals. Instead of a fruit or veg. for both snack, substitute one for a shake. Once you are where you want to be cut your drink in half slowly until you don't need it anymore. Remember to enjoy what your doing don't make it a chore. Take vitamins your body is always loosing nutrients and you have to keep your body replenished. Water, IS very important in so many ways. Drink water. If you don't like it make yourself love it. LOL..keep a water bottle around and eat a regular times and don't eat late that hard on the body. The best thing also is know your body, know your limits. Love yourself and your body will love you back. Best of luck!

Who told you you need to weigh 130 pounds. If your health is good 120 sounds fine. At your age, you probably will begin to just gain weight naturally. As for the nutritional meals, there are all kinds of cook-books available. There's even help on line if you'll just look for it. Just how much overweight are they? You're main concern is getting them to slim down. People don't develope health problems from being 10 pounds underweight, but they sure do for being overweight.

I would prepare the same nutritional meals for every one, however you can take a supplement called Spirolina. It is a blue/green algae often found off the shores of Hawaii, it has enough vegetable protein in it to help you gain safe, non fattening weight. It is used as an anti carcinogenic, and for a supplement for those with low weight problems often found in aids, cancer, and eating disorders. It is also said to have health properties to boost your immune system.
I don't know what your height is, but you may not be under weight. I am 5'4" and 140, and I am 20 pounds over weight. but since everyone around me is obese, I don't "look" over weight, and they think I am nuts to want to loose the extra pounds, which I do safely by running and walking and crunches, but keep my diet pretty much the same.
Good Luck and take care care of you and your family

I would serve healthy meals (fresh veggies either steamed or raw, fruit, meat, whole grains or potatoes or brown rice.)

Snacks should also be healthy, however for you there can be an added element. For instance, you might want to give fruit or crackers for snacks but add a nut butter to yours. For breakfast in addition to what everyone else are eating, you can make a fruit and yogurt shake (I like the gallon jars of Bulgarians style plain yogurt at Whole Foods, which can be purchased in the whole milk variety for added calories.) In your shake, add ground flax seed and and a calorie boosting powder.

You don't want to gain weight with poorly gotten calories. If you just can't gain weight while eating healthy fats (like the flax seed) then you are at your ideal weight (JMO, I'm a healthfood nut but I weigh way too much! LOL)

Hi P.,
good for you- gaining your weight back- you did not mention your height, but I would think 120 lbs would be an ok weight as long as you are feeling ok-
It is a challenge when you have a household with all different needs and tastes- I know because I raised 12 children - 8 boys and 4 girls so you can imagine the differences.........I would only suggest this- cook for them......then eat only what you need to sustain yourself or make you feel comfortable- offer salad at each dinner meal- that you can eat without depriving the kids and hubby of the "intake" necessary for them. Just eat what you want and be happy........if Momma is happy...then family is happy......
good luck
blessings

All of you need to eat healthy foods. You need to practice eating slowly (it takes the stomach 20 minutes to know something's in it) and portion control. You need to add a little olive oil and/or butter to your servings for the extra calories. Do it in the kitchen so your food doesn't look any different from theirs. Then, add a couple of small, healthy snacks/meals for yourself away from the family. If you don't have cholesterol issues, nuts and avocados are good. All of you should exercise together - walk, ride bikes, play ball - fun things that keep all of you active and toned.

I also have had this issue, although as I get older, it's not a problem anymore--I can now gain weight in a heartbeat! Anyway, I agree with the previous poster who said not to take in all your calories with them. Fix nutritious meals for everyone, and then you can have high-calorie snacks in between (but not in front of them). Even if you're skinny, you can still get high cholesterol and other problems (I had that issue), so make sure your high-calorie snacks are full of things like protein and complex carbs rather than simple carbs (sugar) and fat.

Also, when I eat with the family, sometimes I'll put Ovaltine in my skim milk to add some more calories. I don't do it every day--although it's full of vitamins, it's also full of sugar. If my daughter asks for some, I'll give her a tiny bit, and, at age 4, she doesn't know hers is dilute. :)

Have snacks and or another meal without them around. When with them, eat what they eat.

Meals that will help all of you would still be nutritious meals. 4 to 6 oz of meat and 1 to 2 vegetables. If there is coke in the house get rid of it. Drink juices, milk or water with dinner. I did that in my house and cokes or tea became an every now and then thing. This helped my husband drop a couple of pounds and I try to cook things that are more nutritious than fattening. Not a lot of butter or sugar. It's a little difficult bc right now I'm pregnant, my son is thin (virtually no fat) and then my husband works outside most of the day or lifting water heaters so when he comes home he's really hungry and will eat a lot. If you husband and daughter eat alot if you are fixing healthy then if they eat a lot at least it's not a lot of calories. If you have to add a salad with a ff dressing to each meal. When I worked with a trainer I was told that your body takes more energy to digest greenage (Lettuce, spinach, etc) and if you drink water with your meal you will fill up faster. Good if you don't want to eat as much bad if you are trying to put on weight. Hope that helps. Also if they eat more often during the day it will speed up their motabolism. Every 2 to 3 hours they should eat something. Not fattening but fruit or yogurt or a snack item of some sort. The human body is meant to eat every 2 to 3 hours. If they are only eating 3 times a day then their body is in a starvation mode and hangs on to the fats. The more often you eat the faster your body will release those fats. Sorry remembering off the top of my head. Whole grain breads were on my list and a few kinds of nuts. Almonds, cashews, pecans, and peanut butter. Those were good fats. Little to no corn or potatos. Good Luck

Sorry but they are right! to gain wieght healthy weight, you don't want to eat fattening foods , you just want to eat more heathy ones! And you could go to the gym and lift some weights, Muscle weighs more than fat, looks better and is healthier! meanwhile all of us that are trying to lose some weight can really sympathize with you...NOT! Just kidding, thought that would be funny! LOL!

Hi P.! I see here that you have had a lot of excellent advice! I am currently working with people who have health related issues related to what you are dealing with. I understand the frustration that you must be feeling, but I promise that there is hope! You maybe needing to gain/maintain your weight, vs. possibly your hubby needing to lose a few.......... It's all good! I would love to be your coach and help you sort out what needs to be sorted and what would be best nutritionally for you and your family! It is free of charge and all about nutrition and how to work food FOR you and not against you!
Let me know what you think!

C. Pruitt
____@____.com
###-###-####

I am not quite sure why you are eating unhealthy to gain weight. Eating unhealthy has risk i.e. high cholesterol, etc.

I would concentrate on fixing healthy meals and snacks even desserts. This will help your family and yourself. Plus, you will gain weight just by eating.

If you over do it either way it is not healthy. Work on getting your family on healthy path i.e. eating right, taking walks together, etc.

The American Heart Association has a wonderful cookbook.

If you really want to gain "weight" gain it in muscle. IF you gain it in fat you will be dimply (hail damage/cellulite.) Why the 10 pounds? Do you look gaunt? I am 5'9 and 123. I am just hanging out at this weight waiting for age to pack on some padding(I am 34.) Maybe you should too! Be happy! It is easier to deal with health issues as you get older if you are not fighting the battle of the bulge. Don't let the media scare you with their dumb stories about skinny people. Don't let people brain wash you into thinking there is something wrong with 120 pounds. I get picked on all the time! I am asked if I have an eating disorder, etc. Don't let haters rule your happiness.

do some research....get a subscription to a healthy magazine-"cooking light"