Stress and Time Balance

THINMED

Hi all,

I want to lose atleast 30pounds by this December just before leaving to my home country for my wedding. I am in the final year of completing my PhD thesis requirements and defense and I am overwhelmed with the amount of work that I have to perform by the end of this year. This amount of stress is making me tired and worn out and I hardly have the energy to work out. I am an emotional eater and have been eating lot of unhealthy fast foods from outside even when I sense I am not hungry. Please help me motivate and I am looking for ways to have a control on my life during this work loaded time so that I can still lose the weight and look pretty on my wedding day.

Please help me.

Debbie

anemoneprose

You're planning a wedding at the same time you're finishing up your PhD?? Man.

I'd say:

1) Get fiance to help with housework and cooking and meal prep. If that's not possible, make it practically automatic so you don't have to think about it.

Take a bit of time to plan a menu, & then shop for & cook the same 5-6 meals. Grilled or baked meat + veg + something like brown rice. You can make rice for a couple of days & refrigerate. Make more meat than you have to, & take it with you for lunch. Stews.

(Brown) pasta's quick and easy - watch portions, limit cheese, lots of veg. (I learned this from my ex. Thought it was disgusting, and am kind of ashamed to say I now do this - but have been converted: when you're cooking pasta, chuck some green veg into the *same water as the pasta* for the last six mins. Saves you a pot to wash )

2) Honestly, would not try avoiding carbs at this time. Helps with serotonin, focus, mood, etc... try to make better choices (whole grains). Let yourself have sweets every now and then, even. But again, comes to choice - if you're desperate, take the low-fat oatmeal cookie over the brownie. In your head, make it *not a decision*, not an option to have the brownie.

If it were me, though, I'd just forget the diet until I finished, and postpone the wedding. There's evidence to suggest we only have so much willpower, and can really focus on one thing at a time. I'd say your PhD is what matters most now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/04/books/review/willpower-by-roy-f-baumeister-and-john-tierney-book-review.html?pagewanted=all

missduck1

Congrts!!!

This may sound simple but it has worked for me in the pass...set an alarm for working out and pick music to workout to that makes you feel sexy (it helps walk that extra mile).

Wishing all the success.

onyxgirl17

I don't know but I feel your pain...

THINMED

Thank you very much for the helpful tips! Like you said i must pack all my food and snacks during the weekend for the week! Make healthier choices for the sugar craves!