Fatboy is losing traction with his weight and fortitude. I started this site on Posterous as self-accountability and then moved it to here using what I do every day for my business for global accountability and to better the CF community with my experiences and to connect with others. Today it’s time to cash in on accountability because Fatboy is losing traction and in need of community support.
I just don’t feel like going through all of the effort of making a huge omelet every morning just for myself and eating it by myself for the 200th time. It’s getting old. FAST! I’ve got work to do and hate starting each morning with yet another time-consuming chore done alone. I’m maintaining the weight I had after my cold (124lbs) but not gaining any of it back with my current appetite and eating.
It’s not a bad weight, but it’s not what I was nor where the doctors want me at. Our budget is stretched to the max with co-pays and pre-deductible medical expenses for the next month or so, so no matter how much I’d love to, going to the nearby pizza place for an 8″ personal pizza and drink for $7 every day to make up for a lost breakfast isn’t an option for a while. I know a certain Californian will suggest McGriddles, but that comes to an issue of time and money, as the nearest McDonald’s is with the flow of rush hour traffic and would end up being at least a 30-minute round trip.
I’ve made do for a few days by drinking my breakfast with extra Boosts, but that’s a more expensive option than eating my breakfast. The only thing that I can think of at the moment is to buy a few packs of bacon and pre-cook them in the oven when Beautiful doesn’t have to smell them and put them in the fridge to reheat with some sunny side up eggs that don’t take the extra time that an omelet does. I know for sure that it has to be protein-based because I crash seriously hard from a carb breakfast.
Does anyone have any other quick breakfast ideas? One no-no: I can’t do oatmeal or grits – my gag reflex won’t stand for that texture. 😉
I find many smaller items for breakfast works better for me…while eggs are good source of Kcal and Protein it does get to be too much. I mix in Bagels loaed with cream cheese or wegmans wafles that I just pop in the toaster oven. With that I have a yogurt, a cup of fruit (peaches, pears or mixed fruit) and then afterwards I have a tastykake (I imix in different types) with some coffee. Unlike some people I have never looked at food as pleasurable (though I love a good steak) it’s just a necessity. SO EAT YOUR BREAKFAST AND GROW! 🙂
Hmmm, I do like me some bagels and cream cheese. I can try the many small items method – might seem less daunting of a meal that way. Thanks, Sheldon.
we skinny guys need to stick together 🙂
I’m back over 145 now finally…but I am getting more of a belly than I like. I want more distribution around my frame so I may slow down on the Kcal some and try to do more weight training. The concern is if my sternum can handle the stress…
😉 I’ve got a slight overhang over my belt now for the first time ever, but I no longer feel fat and bloated because my weight did distribute. It takes 1-4 weeks, but it will spread out. I went through 3 cycles of fat to being overall bigger.
What about Frozen Buttermilk Biscuits with sausage, cheese and etc? You can make bunch of them and then reheat? Or you can load up with peanut/almond butter on a toasted bread of your choice. 🙂
I’ve never tried frozen toaster stuff – maybe I should visit that isle at the store. We didn’t spend much on groceries for our 1/2 week, so I should be able to check that out. Thanks.
J uses the frozen waffles like cah-ra-zy. He puts peanut butter and syrup on them. We shop at Wal-Mart and get a very large box of their brand for about $3. He also uses a protein mix, http://www.walmart.com/ip/Body-Fortress-2lb-Chocolate-Whey-Protein/10322406 adds it to milk with some peanut butter. Makes the largest shake ever. Takes him awhile to drink it. May work out a little cheaper than Boost. You’ve got your fan section in KY cheering you on! You didn’t work this hard to slide back into old habits. I watch J get frustrated with all the time it takes to maintain his health. I don’t pretend to understand. Regroup and start fresh on Monday! I don’t know anyone else I can call Fatboy and get away with it so keep it up 🙂
Thanks, Rhonda. I think it’s time to look at frozen waffles and frying my eggs with some pre-baked bacon.
Ooh another idea is an egg casserole. You can bake it the night before and then all you have to do is heat it up. You can probably freeze some for later eating as well. Mixed with cheese and sausage (and whatever other ingredients you like) would make an alternative to the omelet.
Oh! Duh! We have the family egg recipe and bake it on Saturdays sometimes. I should make it more of a regular dish. Thanks for the jumpstart on my dead brain cells.
Greek Yogurt. has 12-15g of protein per cup. I like the plain flavor (with a little honey mixed in) but you can get other flavors.
I’m a big bacon fan personally and that’s my go-to weight gain food. I’m also a fan of French toast with peanut butter and syrup on it (really fast to make if you but egg beaters or some other pre-liquified egg product). I also add coconut creme (the stuff you make piña coladas with) to coffee, hot cereal, anything sweet that it will mix with.
Those all sound simple AND delish! Thanks for verifying bacon and the egg beaters suggestion. Even omelets wouldn’t be as time-consuming and still nutritious if the liquefied option tastes 1/2 as good as fresh.
If you buy egg beaters, it’s actually lower cal/fat than regular eggs
because it’s made mostly from whites, but I think you can buy whole
eggs in liquified form, too. I use egg beaters, and even with them, 4
pieces of French toast with a tbsp of peanut butter and about a tbsp
of syrup are about 1000 calories. I think you could make a lot of
French toast and freeze it, then pop it in the toaster when you want
to eat it.
It seems like years ago I saw in a restaurant kitchen that they had eggs in what looked like milk cartons, already broken & mixed, and they just poured them on the griddle. Might be cheaper per calorie that way too.
I’m not sure how your digestive system would tolerate this, but nearly every morning I add about 1/2 tablespoon to 4 oz. of whole milk yogurt for Samuel. It mixes up rather nicely, although I’ve never actually eaten it. I’ve also mixed with chocolate pudding but that doesn’t work nearly as nicely. You might want to try cooking your eggs in a ramekin in the microwave for a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit or muffin. It’s really fast that way! Samuel’s nutritionist gave us a recipe for what we call “Super Milk” You’ve probably read about it before – 4. oz each half-and-half and whole milk plus a packet of Carnation Instant Breakfast. You can get CIB at Sam’s or Costco for a reasonable price. Good luck!
Now that I’ve fried my first egg, I think I’ll get a McMuffin mold (I know I’ve seen them somewhere) and start making egg McMuffins with my favorite hot sauce and bacon on the side. Thanks!
microwave egg muffin maker:
http://www.wdrake.com/WalterDrake/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=kitchen&SCID=Microwave&ProductID=BC00335067&SiteNum=0&sortBy=Rank%20ASC
that’s just an example of what you’re looking for. Target/Walmart might have them as well. I love mine– one egg or two, beaten, done in 1 minute. Also works great with seasoninngs inside the egg.
Sorry I haven’t had time to pop in here sooner, Jesse. That looks like a good idea. So do lots of others here. What about getting several of those molds and making up a bunch of McMuffins at one time so you can freeze them and then just nuke them when you’re ready to eat one or more? I just realized – I haven’t seen those molds, maybe one mold makes lots of them at once? 😉
Jesse, I just happended across your site (was searching blockages maybe) and I really think it’s great. Your attitude is nicely positive/aggresive toward your life with cf. It sounds as if the food chores and budget are getting you down as much as the appetite and scale are. Below are some food notes that are hopefully useful to you. My best to you and Bea. Forage ahead!
-more bagels: cinnamon raisin bagel w/peanut butter, egg/cheese/meat bagel sandwich, open-faced bagel pizza in toaster oven or under broiler
-buy a couple of quiches or make in advance (using frozen pastry crust)
-smoothies [also make extra ahead and freeze individual servings]: protein powder, fresh and/or frozen fruit (easy to grab), banana (sliced ahead and frozen), liquid enough to blend (juice, soy/nut milks, boost), optional: dairy/soy/other yogurt/ice cream, peanut butter, flax oil
-frozen breakfast foods on sale (omelettes, etc.) http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/nutrition-calories/food/jimmy-dean/
-rotisserie chicken is usually cheap and can be used in an egg scramble or as a breakfast meat
-add breakfast gravy to almost anything
-croque-madame sandwich (basically grilled ham and cheese with an egg on top)
-protein from dinner (always make extra and work into breakfast)
-dinners that make good breakfast leftovers (meat enchiladas, pizza, etc.)
-find out where cops/truckers eat: mom and pop diner/waffle house/omelette shoppe/denny’s/24hr cafe (go when convenient/get takeout for next morning’s meal)
-think about a breakfast window (from whenever you wake up until lunch), not just a breakfast meal
-factor in at least one item from the toaster oven/broiler/microwave (fast) and maybe one from the stove (a bit more time)
-always keep a protein/high cal drink within reach (all day–giant travel mug?)
-prep time is key: if you cook everyday, prep time can be a big stressor
-prep in advance as much as possible (night before, some days ahead, mainly weekends–whenever works)
Welcome! Good tips – thanks for the long list of ideas.
Please don’t give up. I understand you frustration even though I don’t have CF, it is still sometimes a chore for me to make the food for my husband. Lately my husband has been doing VERY good gaining weight on his own. Without protein shakes, ensure, g-tube, etc. In the past one and a half months, he has gained 7lbs. He seems very happy with himself and I am with him as well. Maybe I could talk to my hubby and ask things that may help you. I will also think of some things for you as. If we keep in touch than both you and my hubby can work together and give tips. 🙂 A month and a half ago he weighed 128 lbs. As of today he is weighing 135.4 lbs.
Thanks, Alisha. I wrote my book over the last 6 months on gaining weight, but now it’s a battle of effort to maintain it without all of the extra work it took to gain it. My problem now is that, while I could pork out and get back up to 135, I have an extreme need to relax my time spent eating so I can concentrate on my business and actually start working before 9 or 10am. So far, I’m liking the ideas of pre-made food like the egg casserole and re-heating bacon and frozen waffles. We’ll see if Beautiful lets me use her syrup or if I need to buy the cheap stuff. 😉
You’re welcome. I definitely understand but sometimes I can barely get my husband to eat. I think it sometimes just feels like a job on its own. Once you lose your interest in eating because you enjoy it than it gets harder to keep going. But since you lost weight and your stomach got small again, I think stretching your stomach back out is going to be the hardest part. My hubby told me to tell you that what he has been doing, is not to wait until he feels hungry but to eat any chance he gets. Don’t do it as a chore just whenever you can even if it is just snacks and Boost drinks. Fit that in there. He says that when you eat like that, it encourages your stomach wall to stretch out more and you will continue to eat more. It seems to have been working well considering I have been seeing him eat way more than I have since meeting him. Lol.
As for breakfast suggestions, I sometimes use leftovers to make breakfast but that is because we don’t really eat breakfast. My husband works overnight at Subway so we sleep during the day and wake up at night. However whenever we do have breakfast I usually take frozen hashbrowns in a frying pan, onion, cubed ham, and lots of shredded cheese. It doesn’t take long to fix and my husband loves it. It is very filling too. As I said though. I will look for some more ideas and both you and I can try them out together. Sorry for over talking just want to encourage you to keep going. You can do this. We are all rooting for you. 🙂
hey Jesse-
great blog. I have the same issues as you! short on weight/time/appetite.
do you get scandishakes? with milk they’re 700 calories, then add a banana and 2 scoops of peanut butter. thats a solid 1000 calorie shake to drink with a piece of toast or a smaller “food” breakfast.
I mix it up at nite so its ready to go. You can get a RX for the scandis thru your insurance most likely (I do.)
Boost Plus chocolate is the only thing that doesn’t induce a gag reflex from mineral-ee taste.
Micrwave Egg (Mc) Muffin maker:
http://www.wdrake.com/WalterDrake/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=kitchen&SCID=Microwave&ProductID=BC00335067&SiteNum=0&sortBy=Rank%20ASC
it’s all of $6 or so, and awesome! (You may also be able to find similar at Target/Walmart, etc). Cooks in about 1 minute for one beaten egg or two, even better w/ seasonings, shredded cheese, etc mixed in. Enjoy!
Potatoe and bacon or ham breakfast hash like this one: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/ham_and_potato_hash/
Cook it with butter and spice with garlic and herbs, and it’s rather tasty.
Hope that helps a bit.
I’m a 38 CFer who doesn’t like eggs all that much. I have a few suggestions on the breakfast front. My wife and I make pancakes or waffles with 1/3 wheat, 1/3 buckwheat, and 1/3 soy protein powder. We also add 1/4 cup of flakseed ground in the food processor for added fiber and better digestion. Make a double batch and it will last all week. Also, I eat outside the box for breakfast. I’ll have Tuna and wild rice with cheese or even a hamburger. Dont confine yourself to breakfast foods for breakfast
Interesting ideas for breakfast, Bryan. Thanks for breaking down the box.