Trying to lose body fat, manage binge eating, reduce bloating, and build a sustainable routine — looking for advice
Hey everyone!
I'm looking for some advice because I'm trying to improve my diet, lose body fat, and build a sustainable routine that I can maintain long-term, rather than following a strict diet for a few weeks and then struggling to stay consistent.
My main goals
- Lose body fat through a sustainable approach.
- Manage my binge eating and regain control over my eating habits.
- Reduce persistent bloating and improve my digestion.
- Maintain good energy levels, concentration, and mental clarity while studying.
- Build a healthier relationship with food without constantly worrying about calories or feeling guilty about eating.
- Find a balanced approach to nutrition that supports my gym training and everyday life.
My daily routine and physical activity
I spend several hours a day studying at my computer, so I spend a significant part of my day sitting down. However, I try to stay active by walking regularly, and I currently go to the gym three days a week. I want to improve my body composition while maintaining my strength, energy, and ability to concentrate.
Because studying requires a lot of mental energy, I also want to avoid feeling constantly hungry, exhausted, sleepy, or mentally foggy throughout the day.
My approach to nutrition
I prefer simple, homemade meals based on minimally processed foods. I try to prioritize protein sources such as eggs, egg whites, chicken, turkey, fish, lean meat, Greek yogurt, and legumes.
For carbohydrates, I include or consider foods such as oats, rice, potatoes, wholegrain pasta, wholegrain bread, and other grains. I also eat vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, and healthy fats, particularly extra virgin olive oil.
I enjoy filling meals with plenty of volume because I want to feel satisfied rather than constantly hungry. At the same time, I don't want to unnecessarily eliminate entire food groups or follow an extremely restrictive diet.
In the past, I had a more structured eating routine with four or five meals a day, and I calculated my meals in advance. Having a plan helped me understand what I was eating and made my days feel more organized.
My biggest problem right now: my eating schedule
Unfortunately, because of my family's routine, I often end up eating only once a day, late in the evening, instead of following the four or five planned meals I used to have.
This has completely disrupted the routine I had built. I really dislike having to eat this way because I find it difficult to organize my nutrition, manage my hunger, and stay consistent with my goals.
Since I also study for several hours and go to the gym three days a week, I'm concerned about getting enough energy and nutrients throughout the day. I don't want my eating schedule to negatively affect my training, concentration, or relationship with food.
I would like to find a practical solution that allows me to eat more regularly, even when I cannot control my family's dinner schedule.
My struggles with binge eating and digestion
Another major difficulty is binge eating. Sometimes I experience intense hunger and cravings, and I struggle to maintain a consistent eating pattern. This makes it difficult to stick to a plan over several weeks or months.
I want to understand how to create a sustainable approach without falling into a cycle of restriction, excessive hunger, binge eating, and guilt.
I also experience persistent bloating and digestive issues, including alternating between constipation and diarrhea. This makes it difficult to understand which foods I tolerate well and how I should structure my meals. I don't want to keep eliminating foods based on guesswork or make my diet more restrictive than necessary.
What I would appreciate advice on
How can I lose body fat sustainably without making my binge eating worse?
How can I reorganize my meals when my family’s schedule means I often eat only once a day, late in the evening?
Would it be better to prepare my own meals during the day, even if I have to eat dinner with my family later?
How can I structure my meals and snacks to manage hunger and maintain energy while studying?
Should I continue including carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, oats, bread, and pasta rather than trying to eliminate them?
How can I approach persistent bloating and digestive problems without unnecessarily restricting my diet?
What practical strategies have helped you stay consistent with your nutrition, gym training, and daily routine over the long term?
I'm not looking for a crash diet, extreme restrictions, or a quick fix. I want to build a realistic lifestyle that helps me improve my body composition, feel better physically, manage my eating habits, and maintain my concentration while studying.
I'd especially appreciate practical advice from people who have dealt with similar struggles, particularly binge eating, irregular meal schedules, and trying to balance nutrition with studying and training.
Thank you for reading!