Not eating ENOUGH

onefunnybroad

I have been tracking my food and exercise with as much diligence as I can. After kind of glancing over the last couple of weeks, I'm realizing that I'm not eating enough - but I literally have been so busy that I don't have time to grab something on the fly, or I completely forget to eat because I'm in the middle of something. I work a 40 hour a week day job, Monday through Friday, I do a radio show on Saturday and Sunday, I sing in a show on Friday nights in corsets and heels, and Sunday-Thursday I am in rehearsals for two or more hours a night for a production of the Rocky Horror Show. Couple this with an active social life and I maybe eat 1200 calories a day, sometimes as few as 740 like on Tuesday when I completely forgot to eat until like, 7pm.

I know I need to prepare for this sort of thing - like have a lunch ready to go in the morning before I go to work - but I'm just so busy I have a hard time remembering to do simple things like that. I locked my keys in my car last week - while it was RUNNING - and accidentally shampooed my hair three times in one shower. I'm frazzled and I feel like it's because I'm not getting enough nutrition.

Advice??

Syntria

Even if you buy those protein bars or some kind of meal bars--they're not exceptionally healthy but they got the things you need. Pop those in your purse and make sure whatever you do, you eat before you go to work at the very least!

GibsonDarlin

Wow and I thought I was busy!! Once a week when you buy your groceries - sort your stuff in servings so you can just grab what you want each day. If its not perishable - put it in your car...since you spend a lot of time there...leave some at work (both places).

Do you use a smart phone - set a reminder! If it reminds you and you have it at hand it should be easier to eat!

cmriverside

A lot of people have really full schedules. Good for you for building an exciting, busy life.


It will all come crashing down around you when (not if) you get sick due to poor nutrition. Your immumne system needs food, sleep, water.

Make it work. You have the desire and the tools.

Fockertots

I try and make it a point that as soon as I finish making dinner, I stick a lunch portion into tupperware, put it in a bag and put in the freezer. That way when I wake up and go to get juice, water, etc. I see it and remember to grab it. If that doesn't work, then I agree that it's great to always keep some sort of meal bar in your purse or even in your car. That way while you're in between things you can have one without derailing your daily schedule.

Syntria

I'd also recommend a Multivitamin and maybe a B12 Complex Vitamin. Not as a replacement, you still need more food with how busy you are. But just in case you miss out on any essentials.

onefunnybroad

I didn't even think of keeping stuff in my car. That's really smart. Thank you, everyone, for your great suggestions. I've been lucky so far - everyone in the cast has been getting sick and passing their germs around but I've been able to avoid it - I know I won't for much longer. I'll get a Costco size thing of meal bars this weekend and stash them in my car so Boyfriend doesn't find them and eat them all.

dawnm92

Beef jerky, almonds, and other nuts are also good for when you are on the go. Apples are easy to take with you. So are bananas and probably some other fruits.

My best advice is find a time when you are at home and cook a bunch of food at once that you can use for meals through the week. This is what I do since I work full-time while taking 2/3 of a full course load toward my master's degree, taking care of my house and furry kids, and everything else that life throws at me.

Cook in mass quantities and put leftovers into meal serving size containers that you can just grab and go without any effort in the morning.

Then add to that baggies of nuts, beef jerky, fresh fruits, etc. that you can just grab as you go out the door (or keep in your purse/car/etc. If you work a regular job, you can also put stuff in your desk/locker/etc at work. Healthy snacks are better than nothing when you can't fit in a regular meal.

SueInAz

Wow and I thought I was busy!! Once a week when you buy your groceries - sort your stuff in servings so you can just grab what you want each day. If its not perishable - put it in your car...since you spend a lot of time there...leave some at work (both places).

Do you use a smart phone - set a reminder! If it reminds you and you have it at hand it should be easier to eat!

The above is great advice.

I work full time and go to school part time, so I completely empathize! I've started taking enough food to work to make lunches AND dinners for several days so I don't have to worry about packing it each morning. It's usually some flat bread wraps, deli turkey, cheese slices, leaves of romaine lettuce, celery stick, etc. I store it in a nice lunch bag in the office fridge so I don't have to worry about things disappearing and I know what's mine. Class starts at 5:30pm so I eat dinner at work just before I leave so I won't sit in class with a rumbling tummy. I also pack protein bars (Pure Protein are my go-to bars because they are lower in carbs and high in protein) to work and also try to keep one in my purse at all times. Keeping them in your car is a good idea unless you live somewhere hot (like I do) and they'll melt.

Most phones have an alarm function, even ones made 6-8 years ago, so use it. Plug in your lunch and/or dinner time and set it to repeat every day so you always get reminded of when it's time to eat.

By the way, I love Rocky Horror! I used to go see it when I was in high school and college (25+ years ago!) and I'm really happy to hear that it's still being done today.

JamesonsMommy

I didn't even think of keeping stuff in my car. That's really smart. Thank you, everyone, for your great suggestions. I've been lucky so far - everyone in the cast has been getting sick and passing their germs around but I've been able to avoid it - I know I won't for much longer. I'll get a Costco size thing of meal bars this weekend and stash them in my car so Boyfriend doesn't find them and eat them all.

I love the special k meal shakes They also make a protein water.. The water comes in a little pouch.. (kinda like the crystal light) As far as germs when i start to feel down i take emergn-c.. I'll drink 2 or 3 a day. I also find myself taking a shot before i work out to give me a burst of energy (i have not gotten sick once since i started with the emergn-c... )

onefunnybroad

I LOVE Emergen-C. I mix Super Orange in with my OJ.