Going Crazy!

crfeen

Hey guys! This is not my first time around the block with getting healthy / losing weight and it's not even my first try on MFP. I've had an account many years now.

Before I ask my question, I think a little health background is necessary! I have history with anorexia/bulimia. I lost 50 lbs in 1 year because of it (from 160 to 110) and in the past 6 years since starting my recovery I've shot up to 190 which is heavy on my 5'4" frame. The past few years I've found a pretty good balance that has allowed me to lose. Before last summer I lost 30 pounds which at the time brought me to 155. I felt awesome, I was super fit - lifting, in great shape, eating super healthy foods and I had a great relationship with food. At that time, I was in college.

I am now working full time, 8:30-6, usually, with a 1 and a half hour commute each way. I'm really struggling trying to find any kind of balance here. I am only finding about 45 mins 4 days a week to work out, whereas I used to go 6 days a week 2-3 hours at a time. I don't go on the weekends because my gym is 3 blocks away from work (so a 1 and a half hr commute from my apartment). I am having trouble finding time to go food shopping for all the healthy fruits and veggies I was eating that were keeping me full and healthy because by the time I get home at 9-9:30 after the gym, the grocery stores are closed.

On top of that, my IBS has been causing me extreme gas pains for about 3 hours after my workouts. It sucks but it's what I'm dealing with (as a side note- does anyone deal with this or know how to stop it?)

I'm not trying to make excuses and I really want this to work. I miss feeling as good as I used to. Anyone have any suggestions? I am open to anything.

ilex70

Move closer to work? Seems like the easiest fix.

Alternately, though it would be really tough, could you go to the gym before work? Then you could shop after work.

No, I wouldn't really want to get up and go that early either, but the gym might be open really early and the stores maybe not if they are all closed by 9 PM.

crfeen

@ilex70 I have thought about it! It would mean getting up at 5 but lots of people do it! It's just a matter of my motivation levels at that hour of the morning which obviously is a terrible excuse hahaha. I may try that since I think it could fix a lot

crfeen

@ilex70 in response to your other question about moving closer, I'm working in NYC and living in Brooklyn. Moving much closer would be a huge price hike so right now unfortunately I think I'm stuck with the commute (at least until my lease is up in May)

MelaniaTrump

Bad quality of life when you spend 3 hours commuting a day. I've been there and quickly found a new apartment.

crfeen

@JanetYellen when my lease is up, I will be moving definitely, it's just a matter of finding some balance until May/June when I can move out.

puffbrat

Can you do all of your food shopping for the week on your days off? I buy all of my food for the week including fruits, veggies and work snacks every Saturday morning. That way I don't have to worry about being too tired to go to the store (or the store being closed in your case) after work to get the healthier snacks I want.

Good luck!

Queenmunchy

puffbrat wrote: »

Can you do all of your food shopping for the week on your days off? I buy all of my food for the week including fruits, veggies and work snacks every Saturday morning. That way I don't have to worry about being too tired to go to the store (or the store being closed in your case) after work to get the healthier snacks I want.

Good luck!

That's what I was thinking. I also cook and freeze dishes on weekends so I don't have to cook during the week, I can just pull something quickly. That could be another time saver for you.

skippygolunks2014

45 minutes 3-4 times a week could be all you need if you make the most of it. Why not find a great circuit using body weight? You could add a kettle ball if you want to seriously scorch some calories. You could also use a TRX system. Both of these are cheaper than the gym and would make the most of the time that you have. You can find great routines for both on youtube. I know that both of these methods seriously work. My daughter is a peronal trainer and these are the only methods she uses with her clients. You can move fast from exercise to exercise and incorporate HIIT as well. a

tulips_and_tea

"I am only finding about 45 mins 4 days a week to work out, whereas I used to go 6 days a week 2-3 hours at a time."

2 - 3 hours per workout is way too much, IMHO. You will burn out or risk over use injury. I agree with the previous poster that 45 min. 4 days a week is plenty if you maximize your workouts.

crfeen

puffbrat wrote: »

Can you do all of your food shopping for the week on your days off? I buy all of my food for the week including fruits, veggies and work snacks every Saturday morning. That way I don't have to worry about being too tired to go to the store (or the store being closed in your case) after work to get the healthier snacks I want.

Good luck!

That's a great idea! That's what I have been trying to do but I think I need to be more diligent about it. Thank you!

crfeen

Queenmunchy wrote: »

That's what I was thinking. I also cook and freeze dishes on weekends so I don't have to cook during the week, I can just pull something quickly. That could be another time saver for you.

Thank you for this I think I am going to start meal prepping from now on!

crfeen

skippygolunks2014 wrote: »

45 minutes 3-4 times a week could be all you need if you make the most of it. Why not find a great circuit using body weight? You could add a kettle ball if you want to seriously scorch some calories. You could also use a TRX system. Both of these are cheaper than the gym and would make the most of the time that you have. You can find great routines for both on youtube. I know that both of these methods seriously work. My daughter is a peronal trainer and these are the only methods she uses with her clients. You can move fast from exercise to exercise and incorporate HIIT as well. a

Thank you!!!

crfeen

BZAH10 wrote: »

"I am only finding about 45 mins 4 days a week to work out, whereas I used to go 6 days a week 2-3 hours at a time."

2 - 3 hours per workout is way too much, IMHO. You will burn out or risk over use injury. I agree with the previous poster that 45 min. 4 days a week is plenty if you maximize your workouts.

Thank you!!

Francl27

Do groceries on week ends. Problem solved.

And yeah, 45 minutes 4 days a week at the gym is just fine. Just make the most of it. Besides, 2-3 hours 6 days a week is just too much for most people.

blues4miles

Also walk on your lunch and your breaks. Not just for calories, but for mental needs.

I struggle with shopping regularly and my commute is not as bad as yours (~2 hrs a day now). Frozen veggies are nice, can buy them and they will keep and I don't feel bad about not using as they won't go bad, I'll get to them eventually. I don't buy as much 'fresh' food as I used to, doesn't mean it can't be healthy. I have lots of stuff that can last forever that I can use in an emergency (noodles and pasta sauce will keep a long time).

Look out for you first. Don't try to get in some crazy workout if it's exhausting you or making you cut back on sleep. Try to get some walking in, drink plenty of water, and just make sure your calories are what you want them to be. Don't have to be perfect all the time. Lots of workouts and 'fresh' foods are above and beyond, but not necessary to weight loss.

emmycantbemeeko

I once had a similar commute and it did a number on my mental health. I agree with the suggestions to find workouts nearer to or at home that are more efficient- 45 minutes is plenty if you're using it efficiently, and bodyweight, walking, jogging, and biking or using video workouts are all doable at home, which would get you a lot more flexibility in your schedule, and let you work out on the weekends if you wanted. Getting some home time to relax and sleep during your work week is an important part of self-care.


2-3 hours at the gym 6 days a week is really not necessary unless you're an elite athlete, and if you're actually working out that entire time, could potentially be doing more harm than good. Don't feel obligated to go back to that schedule if you manage to cut your commute down or find exercises you can do at home.

azulvioleta6

Francl27 wrote: »

Do groceries on week ends. Problem solved.

And yeah, 45 minutes 4 days a week at the gym is just fine. Just make the most of it. Besides, 2-3 hours 6 days a week is just too much for most people.

Eh...everybody is different. I would absolutely gain weight if I exercised that little.

OP, do you commute on a train? Could you walk up and down the car while in route in order to get some additional steps?

Can you do non-gym exercise on the weekends? Walk, hike, dance, swim, etc.?

strong_curves

crfeen wrote: »

@ilex70 in response to your other question about moving closer, I'm working in NYC and living in Brooklyn. Moving much closer would be a huge price hike so right now unfortunately I think I'm stuck with the commute (at least until my lease is up in May)

Damn! I live in NJ and work in Midtown, takes me 50 minutes and this is coming from out of state!

crfeen

azulvioleta6 wrote: »

Francl27 wrote: »

Do groceries on week ends. Problem solved.

And yeah, 45 minutes 4 days a week at the gym is just fine. Just make the most of it. Besides, 2-3 hours 6 days a week is just too much for most people.

Eh...everybody is different. I would absolutely gain weight if I exercised that little.

OP, do you commute on a train? Could you walk up and down the car while in route in order to get some additional steps?

Can you do non-gym exercise on the weekends? Walk, hike, dance, swim, etc.?

I commute via Subway aka absolutely 0 walking space. I walk a ton on the weekends and stretch some, but I think of my weekend as "me" time, so I spend more time with my boyfriend, family, meditating, taking long baths etc i'm definitely willing to incorporate some non-gym exercise though!!! Maybe I can just wake up an hour or 2 earlier on the weekends and get a short jogging session in or something. Thank you so so much for your response

crfeen

strong_curves wrote: »

crfeen wrote: »

@ilex70 in response to your other question about moving closer, I'm working in NYC and living in Brooklyn. Moving much closer would be a huge price hike so right now unfortunately I think I'm stuck with the commute (at least until my lease is up in May)

Damn! I live in NJ and work in Midtown, takes me 50 minutes and this is coming from out of state!

yeah, i'm DEEEEEP into Brooklyn. Honestly, if the subways by me were more reliable, I could get to work in 40 minutes, but they are 15-17 minutes between trains and 100% unreliable hahah

crfeen

emmycantbemeeko wrote: »

I once had a similar commute and it did a number on my mental health. I agree with the suggestions to find workouts nearer to or at home that are more efficient- 45 minutes is plenty if you're using it efficiently, and bodyweight, walking, jogging, and biking or using video workouts are all doable at home, which would get you a lot more flexibility in your schedule, and let you work out on the weekends if you wanted. Getting some home time to relax and sleep during your work week is an important part of self-care.


2-3 hours at the gym 6 days a week is really not necessary unless you're an elite athlete, and if you're actually working out that entire time, could potentially be doing more harm than good. Don't feel obligated to go back to that schedule if you manage to cut your commute down or find exercises you can do at home.

Its generally not 2-3 straight hours, i'd do like 45 min jog - 10 minute break then strength, which if you're like me, you take like 2 minutes between sets LOL. Its probably more like 2 hours total.

Ninkyou

Do your grocery shopping on the weekends and join a gym that's closer to your apartment.

You have to be willing to make some sacrifices, otherwise you're just going to be stuck where you are. Only you can sort out the priorities.

crfeen

blues4miles wrote: »

Also walk on your lunch and your breaks. Not just for calories, but for mental needs.

I struggle with shopping regularly and my commute is not as bad as yours (~2 hrs a day now). Frozen veggies are nice, can buy them and they will keep and I don't feel bad about not using as they won't go bad, I'll get to them eventually. I don't buy as much 'fresh' food as I used to, doesn't mean it can't be healthy. I have lots of stuff that can last forever that I can use in an emergency (noodles and pasta sauce will keep a long time).

Look out for you first. Don't try to get in some crazy workout if it's exhausting you or making you cut back on sleep. Try to get some walking in, drink plenty of water, and just make sure your calories are what you want them to be. Don't have to be perfect all the time. Lots of workouts and 'fresh' foods are above and beyond, but not necessary to weight loss.

For me, I just need so much more workout time than I'm getting. Not necessarily for weightloss but also for my mental health. To me, going to the gym is like a therapy. I crave it - some days I sit here so upset that I won't be able to get more time in.

Awesome suggestion on the frozen foods

quiksylver296

I joined a gym with multiple locations. If I want to go from home, I go to one gym. If I want to go during work, I use a different location. If I want to go while my son's at boxing or football, there are two other locations I use. Is it possible to find a gym that has locations close to work and home?

pstegman888

Go to the gym 3x/wk for 1 hr instead of 4x for 45 minutes. Then use the 4th day to get home earlier & do your shopping. That leaves the weekend to food prep & spend family/boyfriend/me time. You'll only miss out on 15 mins exercise, which could easily be made up by a short walk or some other weekend activity. Or, depending upon your work location, add in a lunchtime walk/climbing a few flights of stairs, etc.