Work/school/life balance and weight loss??

user0819

Hey everyone,

Since this school year started I've gained 5 pounds and I want to get on top of it ASAP. Things feel so busy. I'm in nursing school and balancing placement, school work and two part time jobs. I also have busy personal/home life to balance with it as well and I'm really struggling with my self-discipline.

Anyone have any advice for prioritising in a busy life? At the end of the day I'm so exhausted I can't think of working out and just want to go crazy on cereal and carbs (-and have been....hence the weight gain). Working out in the morning isn't working for me as I tend to leave my house between 0600 and 0630 depending on which job I'm working at.

Advice/experiences/responses appreciated! Thank you!!!

kschwab0203

Meal planning. I plan my meals on Sunday for the week. I go grocery shopping and get everything I'll need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It makes things so much easier!

Example: I cooked 4 chicken breast last night, shredded them, and packaged it up for the rest of the week for my lunch. It's already portioned out which saves me time. It's packaged and ready to go.

As far as exercise, I try to fit it in when I can, which lately has not been much. Mostly, I'll just get up about 20 minutes early and just walk around my neighborhood. Do what you can when you can.

Queenmunchy

kschwab0203 wrote: »

Meal planning. I plan my meals on Sunday for the week. I go grocery shopping and get everything I'll need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It makes things so much easier!

Example: I cooked 4 chicken breast last night, shredded them, and packaged it up for the rest of the week for my lunch. It's already portioned out which saves me time. It's packaged and ready to go.

As far as exercise, I try to fit it in when I can, which lately has not been much. Mostly, I'll just get up about 20 minutes early and just walk around my neighborhood. Do what you can when you can.

I meal plan too. I cook a few full dishes, freeze them in portions and keep adding another few dishes every weekend. I can pick from a variety any day of the week.

rosebarnalice

I had the same challenge when I was in school. The two things that helped me was:
(a) cooking on the weekends-- I would make a crock pot or a slow stew or a batch of some other one-pot meal heavy on the veggies on the weekend so I always knew there was something healthy in the fridge when I got home late. There were days I had the same beef stew or chicken cacciatore from breakfast, lunch AND dinner, but it was better for me than making poor choices caused by exhaustion.
(b) preportioning "naughties" like cereal and nuts. I know myself well enough to know that I can't just pour cereal or nuts out of the package and have a reasonable serving. So I got in the habit of preportioning these things as soon as I bought them. I will open a box of cold cereal, purtion single servings into sandwich baggies, and then stick the baggies back into the box. I do the same thing with bulk peanuts and almonds. That way, rather than pouring out what looks good to me at the time, I grab a baggie, and know it's a reasonable portion size.

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leooftheyear

I am crazy busy too, but I take the time to preplan meals and go shopping on the weekends. Also, in terms of exercise, you don't need to go to the gym at the end of the day, especially if you're exhausted, exercise can be as simple as doing a yoga dvd before bed or going for a 20-30min walk.

user0819

I've always worked out at home...I just lately have had trouble doing it. I guess I need to try to schedule into my day like an appointment?

jemhh

If you need rest time after doing all of that, rest. Rest/sleep are important. You cannot do everything in life. Sometimes you have to put something on the back burner. If that means that exercise needs to be minimized, focus on solid meal planning. How far are you into school? When will you be done (permanently, not for winter break.)

user0819

I'll be graduating in June.

CaitKilla

I'm a junior Elementary Education and Developmental Psychology major. I'm in a Christian club, an acapella group, and some other fun clubs. I also work two jobs. It's hard to balance my spiritual and social lives as well as my schoolwork, responsibilities, and fitness. I try to work out early in the mornings when I don't have to be at class really early. For example I worked out today at 8am before my 11am class. I also make sure to walk everywhere and take long walks. I also check the nutrition info in the dining halls.

texasleahgirl

During busy times I reduce the variety in my meals. I have 3 "go to" staple meals that I usually always have the ingredients to prepare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As a result I don't have to spend hardly any time planning meals or looking for recipes--just prepare, pack and go.

Sarah_Shapes_Up

Meal Prep. I cook for 5-6 days at a time. They're all simple and healthy and fit my calorie and macro goals. When i saw cook, I mean breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, "dessert" (I always make oats.). I don't have time during the week to veer of course even if I wanted to, so I stick to it. I'll have 1-2 days on the weekends where I don't track everything, but I end mindfully and do my best to control portion sizes. As far as exercise, if you can't make it to a workout, go for a walk or set a timer to get up and walk to the bathroom and back at least every hour or so.

rsclause

If I wait till the end of the day to exercise I will never get it done. I know it sounds odd but I get up at 4:30 AM to run and feel like it gives me more energy throughout the day. It also got rid of my insomnia too. The only downside is I like to go to bed at 10:00 now. If you are eating cereal in the mornings you could switch to oatmeal and save a ton of money. I use the old fashioned kind and add almond milk. Cook in the microwave then add fresh strawberries, blueberries or blackberries, 1/2 banana, walnuts and chia seeds. I spend about $12.00 a week for the fruit and the oatmeal I can get 4 or 5 months worth at Costco for about $5.00.

mccraee

Till June would be along time to forego healthy living so it's worth it to figure out how to make this work better for you. Tons of good advice here. I too love shopping and prepping meals on the weekends. I workout in the mornings. I only have to get up 30 minutes earlier and I think it pays off in that I sleep better. But, I also have fall back plans for when I'm just not that into it

Nothing wrong with figuring out some convenient fast, easy choices. Maybe there is a corner convenience store you walk by every day that has yogurt in case you didn't get a smart breakfast. I know what my subway order is and because they are everywhere, I always know it's an option. Rotisserie chicken & a bag of Caesar salad can be dinner (and leftovers) in as much time a drive thru. Last ditch, figure out what is the smartest drive thru option for days when I'm too lazy to even get out of the car (Wendy's chili). I'm not terrible proud of any of these but they keep me from falling off the bandwagon.

Sometimes it helps to start with one habit. Maybe breakfast, lunch, 5 veggies a day, walking more or faster, drinking water, whatever. Work on that for a while and figure out what it takes to make it work in your life and then go on to the next habit.

Also, figure out how to spoil yourself when you need it (in a way that doesn't include food). A hot tub takes 20 minutes and I sleep better. Going to bed and reading for 10 minutes before lights out is lovely. Sitting in a sunny comfy chair at the library and sipping some tea while you study could be a treat for you.

BrunetteRunner87

rsclause wrote: »

If I wait till the end of the day to exercise I will never get it done. I know it sounds odd but I get up at 4:30 AM to run and feel like it gives me more energy throughout the day. It also got rid of my insomnia too. The only downside is I like to go to bed at 10:00 now. If you are eating cereal in the mornings you could switch to oatmeal and save a ton of money. I use the old fashioned kind and add almond milk. Cook in the microwave then add fresh strawberries, blueberries or blackberries, 1/2 banana, walnuts and chia seeds. I spend about $12.00 a week for the fruit and the oatmeal I can get 4 or 5 months worth at Costco for about $5.00.

I feel the same as this person. I don't want to exercise at the end of the day and I never do. I just have to get up earlier to do it. When I was in school I treated exercise like another meeting I had to go to.

SusanMFindlay

Instead of "working out" at the end of the day, how about going for a nice long walk? It won't burn as many calories as an hour at the gym, but it'll burn more than sitting down would (and you won't be eating while you walk) - and it can be relaxing and revitalizing. If you need that time as social time, take your friend/partner/kid/whoever with you.

Redbeard333

I work about 60 hours/week teaching, and commute about 1.5 hours/day, so that leaves little time for exercising, unless I make time for it! My breakfasts are always the same thing (~300 calories), and my lunches (which I make on Sunday and freeze; same meal every day) are ~700-800 calories. Then for dinner it's whatever my wife and I feel like doing, within reason. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Sometimes my exercise is as simple as walking on my treadmill until I hit my 10k step goal (though I usually go a bit longer). Figure out what works for you, and stick with it. Small changes lead to bigger ones, and that's what makes it sustainable

user0819

Hi everyone! Just wanted to say thanks so much for all of your advice and encouragement. I feel like I have so much support in my journey.

Today I managed to eat 1500 calories and do a 25 minute workout before 9:00pm. I don't think I'll be able to do morning workouts...but I think an evening one - before doing homework- will be easier for me....and it will keep me awake to do my homework LOL.

Also - done my meal prep for tomorrow.

Thanks so much everyone.

mlsh1969

Redbeard333 wrote: »

I work about 60 hours/week teaching, and commute about 1.5 hours/day, so that leaves little time for exercising, unless I make time for it! My breakfasts are always the same thing (~300 calories), and my lunches (which I make on Sunday and freeze; same meal every day) are ~700-800 calories. Then for dinner it's whatever my wife and I feel like doing, within reason. YOU CAN DO IT!!! Sometimes my exercise is as simple as walking on my treadmill until I hit my 10k step goal (though I usually go a bit longer). Figure out what works for you, and stick with it. Small changes lead to bigger ones, and that's what makes it sustainable

This definitely annnddd the exercise bike in my kitchen help.

Rawr619

Full time RN and full time grad student here. Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep. I choose one day a week to make meals that will last the whole week. My crock pot has been a life saver. I look up recipes on Pinterest and choose three or four times make that will last the week.

Also, I try and work out several days a week. I make this a priority. It is good for my physical as well as my mental health.

I have good days and bad days, but just keep moving on from the bad days. You got this!

Machka9

texasleahgirl wrote: »

During busy times I reduce the variety in my meals. I have 3 "go to" staple meals that I usually always have the ingredients to prepare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. As a result I don't have to spend hardly any time planning meals or looking for recipes--just prepare, pack and go.

This! I actually find it easier to lose weight when I'm really busy because I'm so focused on doing other stuff, and not on food.

When it comes to food during those time, I eat pretty much the same basic stuff. I know how many calories it is, I can prelog it, and I know it is sufficient to keep me going while still losing weight. The food aspect more or less goes onto autopilot and that is a bit of a relief. One less thing to worry about.

seattlerain

I'm a ER nurse full time, part time working towards my masters and I have 3 kids, youngest is 7 months old. I meal prep and schedule everything. I schedule when I do homework and I schedule gym time. I am in bed before 11 every night and I get up at 6:30am every day.

I also have to have healthy snacks pre-measured out and easy to grab.

cross2bear

For me, its meal planning above all else, and even pre logging some meals, or being repetitive about some meals. I sort of go on auto pilot for lunches - always a protein, a yogurt and a fruit. I shop according to a weekly menu, and double up on making meals so there is always something in the freezer to defrost and have for dinner. I use a crockpot alot! I am currently trying to make at least a weeks worth of freezer meals as I am scheduled for knee surgery on Monday, and hubby cant boil water. I do not want to have to rely on fast foods for the first week of recovery.

savithny

Yep. Meal planning. Shop once for the week on the same day every week (if you can). DOn't go to the store other than that. Don't stop for takeout. Don't buy the stuff you binge on if you can help it.