"light weight"

Oh, and what I forgot to say: you have to have balance in your life, especially with regards to the family. It's one thing to be fit, it's another to become obsessed with it and expect everyone else to come along for the ride. Put yourself in their place. How would you like to spend hours doing what they love and you don't? The biggest problem gym rats seem to have is knowing how to balance life and exercise. It can become an all consuming goal that in the end leaves you unsatisfied and lonely. One of the things I've learned to do is work out on my lunchbreak. That way at night, I just go home as usual to my family and plug in. On the weekends I'll get up and go to the gym for an hour while the girls are getting ready, come home, throw myself together and we'll all go somewhere. Exercise is necessary for a healthy lifestyle, but all the muscles in the world mean nothing if you're alone all the time. Plus, have you ever considered that your family feels insecure around you

I always say "BE the change you want to see in the world (in this case, your house). My wife and oldest daughter both have gym memberships (which I pay for) yet, low and behold, when I work out on the weekends, it's just me. To complicate the matter, they LOVE sweets and often I'll be the only one not having dessert or cutting back on my portions at dinner. But I don't feel bad about it, in fact, it encourages me. It lets me know that I have incredible willpower, and I can take pride in that. I guess it's all about perspective...

i definitly understand where u are coming from,it,s time consuming just doing the shopping ,planning and prepping a days multiple meals. and yes its hard not to sit in front of that tv during the cold season. but ducky has it right.that stuff can rub off on you very quickly.maybe we should save the money and get rid of cable.i think my family would freak out.maybe they will get off thier butt.

I feel for ya buddy, it's a hard thing to keep legit and motivated all the time when someone's pigging out on KFC or watching a great movie when it's time for your workout - but the good news is, according to my Shape magazine here, lol, that socially responsible behavior can be just as catching as the irresponsible kind. Your already setting a wonderful example, and as time goes on, slight changes in diet, physical activities, and the like can be gently eased and encouraged into everyday family life. Not forced mind you I found out that doesn't just not work, but it backfires in your face occasionally. o.O My hubby has zil interest in working out or hula hooping with me (hahah :P) but he has lost a few pounds just by eating with me at the right times and me not buying snacks to tempt us late at night. Also we got rid of the satellite so sitting in front of the idiot lantern all night is no longer such a temptation :D Talk to your family about your desire that everyone eats healthier a

I have to disagree with the poster above me. Don't just stock up on skinless chicken breasts because at > $2.00 a lb. they are not cheap. Also search for meats with low unit costs (obviously) such as cut up chicken friers, chicken legs, thighs and incorporate that into your diet as well. They have a higher fat content but who cares... And we can't forget one of the cheapest and best sources of protein: eggs. Also, even though you're dietary goals do not call for more than 35g of protein per meal anyway I'd ignore the previous posters comment about pissing out any protein > 35g.

Go to Costco for the EAS protein 6 lb bag for $32. Real Cheap! Then do what everyone else does...Stock up your freezer with boneless skinless chicken breast and lean top round London Broil when they are on sale..usually $1.99-2.10 a pound. Tuna is a good deal if you rinse all the salt out of it..try dark tuna..it has more of a fishy taste, but smother it in FF mayo and it has a higher protein content and more nutrition..(Also more fat and calories). I found that your body can only process 35 grams at a sitting (2-3hours in between) additional protein intake is stressful to your kidneys and is usally just pissed out. Good luck!