Can anyone help with my diet/eating?

[Astromantic17]

Since high school started I have been constantly losing weight, but not healthily. Every month it fluctuates, but every year I've lost a pants size mainly because of stress and the fact that I constantly forget to eat and have no appetite when I remember. I'm an art major and I get so wrapped up working or going about my business that I forget to eat all day until I have down time or get home. The most I ever eat is on weekends, breaks, holidays, and then I don't eat all that much.

I don't think I have an eating disorder because I don't have a problem with eating or my weight other than I want to feel/look better. I've come leaps and bounds from being a size 18 and now I'm a size 10. I understand that I'm naturally curvy and busty and that's not going to go away, nor do I want it too, but I want to get back to a size 4 or 6. Can anyone give me some tips to help me start remembering to eat. I'm really worried that doing this so long is going to negatively impact my health.

[jtj25m]

You need some consistency sweetheart. You can't just go for long periods of time eating little to none, then when you remember, eat, and possibly overeat. The longer you go without eating the slower your metabolism gets and therefore when food is eaten, more gets tacked on as fat. You, if you can, should try making small healthy snacks in your down time, for consumption during busy forgetful times. If you must, set your watch alarm to go off every few hours to remind yourself to eat. Eating a sufficient but not large portion of food every now and then as opposed to massive amounts one or few times a day maintains your levels and your metabolism. You're using what you take in and not storing fat. Also, having people who can hold you accountable and remind you throughout your day would help. Have someone poke you and say hey, have you eaten recently my dear? The hardest part is developing the routine, once that is done, it becomes habit.

[jtj25m]

And while you should never 'force' yourself to eat if you're full. You should really eat every now and then even if you aren't 'starving' Especially if you go long periods without eating, your body adjusts and gets used to that. I used to take part in the 30 hour famine thing for church to raise money for needy kids, the hunger goes away at some point, but it doesn't mean you don't still need the food=P

[Astromantic17]

You're completely right. I used to eat six small meals a day when I consciously tried to lose weight. It was around my sophomore year that I had problems eating and I would gain/lose five pounds every month. I don't even really binge or overeat which I also find weird. I usually eat one serving of everything I eat for dinner and then go back to work or do something else. I just don't know why I can't seem to eat so much anymore. The other day my friends had to practically force me to eat lunch

[jtj25m]

Even if you aren't 'overeating' in the times you do eat, lumping it all together still isn't the best way to do it. Sounds like you know what has to be done, it's just a matter of fitting it into your schedule. It's good you have friends that do that type of thing for you, maybe if you haven't already, talk to them and ask them to keep on you about it. If it's a matter of 'can't' eat versus just won't or don't have the time, maybe there are issues you need to see a physician about.

[PatrickRory]

fruit and veggies and just generally stay away from cookies and sweets and chips and basically anything processed. start taking a multivitamin everyday if you can.. also I know school get can pretty hectic and busy but trying to get in some exercise like running or just going outside and playing around with you siblings or friends or just doing something will generally keep you healthy. health isn't just physical but its also mental, spiritual and uh something else..i forgot my notes already haha. try to keep your life balanced between work/play and relaxing/exercise and you will become gradually more healthy.

[Reeses-pieces777]

me too. if I get stressed, I get fat. I think that eating more vegetables and drinking lots of water helps.

Try CLA supplements, green tea, ECGC, fiber and eat healthy. don't starve yourself but do get exercise. losing weight healthily is more long term

[killer8991]

if you don't eat you die!