Worried.

AphelionPDX

I have been on vacation from work and school for the past couple of weeks, and have had the time to pay close attention to what I've been eating, been working out religiously, and joined (and spent a lot of time on) MFP. I start work again on Wednesday and school starts on Monday. I'm worried that I will not be able to keep up with my changes once my responsibilities start up again. Being a full-time college student and a substitute teacher for toddler-preschool aged kids is tiring! Any help/suggestions/words of wisdom/motivation would be greatly appreciated!

asdjlo

Although I am not working right now I am a full time student, a mother of three (2 of my daughters are autistic) my best advice would be to plan meals ahead of time. When I go to class I am sure to bring healthy snacks with me so I am not tempted by the less healthy choices. The snacks that have worked best for me is cherrios in a zip lock bad or almonds. I also make sure to bring a piece of fruit and 2 bottle of water with me.
As far as the exercise goes, I plan it like any other appointment I would have for myself or my kids. If its on the schedule it has to be completed. I usually go to the gym before the kids wake up and then I am ready to go for the day and then don't have to worry about it for the rest of the day.
Just remember you can only perform your best if you feel your best and a healthy lifestyle will help you feel your best. Good Luck. You go this!

woodsygirl

Do what you can, even little things can add up. Walk between classes, park far away, always take the stairs, those things can add up to lots of calories burned.

dorothytd

The other response had the perfect word - PLAN!! It takes a little extra time at the beginning of the week, but having a basic idea of what you will eat and when you will exercise are huge. Sometimes you have to get up early to get the workout in, or suck it up and eat the salad when your friends are having a Big Mac. But the efforts are so worth it! Good luck!!

NaomiJFoster

I'm a preschool teacher too. One thing I'll tell you...you can get yourself some mini-workouts at work. Getting down and up from the floor a thousand times a day? Getting in and out of toddler sized chairs? Turn it into a little squat and focus on your muscles when you do it. Run and play chase games with the kids outside. Pump your legs on the swing next to them. Pushing kids on the swings can be either a chest or tricep exercise, you decide. Put on some rocking tunes in the classroom and tell the kids that it's time for a dance party. Do angled push-ups on the bottom rungs of the monkey bars. Lifting kids all day? Make it count and focus on your form. It's definitely not a sedentary job! (This is said as I knowingly admit to having gained 50 pounds over the last 25 years doing exactly what I just described to you, lol. But you won't slack off like I did)

NikkiSixGuns

Don't quit tracking with MFP (or manually, if that works for you) when your responsibilities start back up. It will keep you accountable and less likely to slip up.

As far as motivation... You've just gotta commit! If you continue to make it a priority to make good choices, you'll do well. Don't give yourself any excuse to slack. Lots of people have heavy responsibilities and still manage to make the journey. You can too! You've got to know that pushing yourself to do what you know you should do - even when you don't feel like it - is a gift to yourself. Aside from weight-loss and other results you'll attain, you're gonna feel incredible knowing that you did it despite your challenges.

And remember how far you've already come. Don't throw all that away when life kicks it into high gear.

Good luck!!!

MCproptart

I agree with PLAN. I did much better when I was putting together a week's worth of salads every Sunday (used Chinese food soup containers, then poured into bowl at work/school). For dinner I'd have protein & veggies.

Split your workouts--20-40 minutes before school/work and 20-40 minutes after dinner.

The hardest part is establishing a routine. Now that you have it started, you'll find a way to keep it going.

Good luck!

Rogiefreida

Like others said, planning is essential. Now that you've established a routine, just keep thinking ahead and planning your meals and workouts. Schedule them in.

Eventually, I found that it's harder for me to keep my routine when I'm NOT working. lol. I've taken lots of time off this month for Christmas and stuff and had a much harder time keeping my eating under control, even though I had less on my plate. Structure and planning is really important.

You've given yourself a great foundation, just keep it up and you'll do great!

childermass

I was just thinking this as i am back to work tomorrow!
however, I think it will be easier because you can take with you what you are going to eat for the day - no temptation of the pantry!
Plus what everyone else said - incidental exercise like taking the stairs and so on.
We'll be FINE!

spud_chick

One thing that I think really helps is having the kind of day where you're near an internet-connected computer/device regularly, and it sounds like that might be true for you? I don't use the app MFP offers because my phone doesn't have enough memory for its massive footprint, but perhaps that would help as well. Often when I'm out, I'll go to the website on my phone and log meals even though it's not a mobile-friendly site. But I have the web page open all the time on my laptop and update my calories and exercise regularly. This works best for me because I don't plan out my days much. I graze throughout the day and adjust as I go to keep my carbs, fat and protein on target. That might not work for someone who has to plan meals more around kids. (my husband will eat whatever is in front of him, which makes things easier.) I also don't plan my exercise (time or duration) very strictly because most of my workouts are walks, not gym visits, and although I telework a lot that also means not knowing exactly when I can take a break to walk or how long I can stay out.

I still think that staying close to your MFP account is key, whether your lifstyle is very structured or if it's more like mine, playing each day by ear.

Boshnivay

i agree with that planning. i had a friend who would make healthy dinners at night, and then take the leftovers to school the next day for her lunch. dont forget to pack a snack for when you get out to keep up your metabolism and keep from picking up that candy bar at the checkout at the grocery store!
even as a college student i'm on the go a lot and the only want to make it really is to plan. nuts, fruits, and nutrition bars make good to-go snacks. good luck!

AphelionPDX

Such great advice here guys - THANK YOU! I am planning to plan on planning next weekend before school starts You are great! Happy New Year! :drinker:

cmriverside

Worry is like a rocking chair.

It keeps you busy, but it doesn't get you anywhere.

NCchar130

It might be helpful for you to prelog your meals/snacks since you are so busy. Like others said, if you expect you will be near a computer most of the day (or using a phone app), that might not be as important. One problem I had at the very beginning was thinking I could make it on less food than I needed - I was always trying to save up calories so I could eat more at night (my hungriest time of day), so if that sounds like you, be sure to bring or plan your snacks too. Just stick to your food plan and leave a little wiggle room if you think you might need it (social occasions, a particularly active/busy day). Try not to get TOO hungry - I usually have snacks in my purse just in case

A common piece of advice I've read here time and time again is that you can't out-exercise a bad diet. Exercise is important for lots of reasons but keeping your diet under control is probably more important.