how to handle long days and less food...and exercize

I have a question.I'm a nurse and get up at 5,get to work at 630 and get home from work at 8pm.I know I shouldn't eat past a certain hour,like 6 or 7,but a lot of times it's too busy at work to eat a proper supper so I end up eating at 8-830 when I get home and by then,I'm seriously lacking self control-starved and tired. Anyone figure this one out yet? I usually work at least 4 days a week (2 jobs) so...
It seems like the longer your days ,the more likely it is that one will fit in 4 meals instead of 3, and a lot more snacks! Also, it's really hard to exercize on work days-which out number non work days. My sister says all I have to do is take up walking. I wore a pedometer for a couple days and found that we walk 3 miles a day-sometimes more depending how busy work is that day. If I had a desk job and took up walking, then I could see how that could help but ...does anyone work out after working long days and how do you feel?

I have a couple of suggestions. Having been in similar situations. take a lunch cooler to work with you filled with the diet appropriate foods. eat those during the day as time allows, this will help take care of the control issue. eat your substantial meal at breakfast, use the snack baggies at work and drink a protein drink for your dinner. maybe stop and pick up a small salad. and have them in the car on the way home. depending on your commute this will give you digestion time and you will sleep better not going to bed on a full stomach. oddysey makes a fantastic protein replacement bar that tastes just like a snickers. it has 7 carbs, all your vitamins and 17 protein, I cut it into pieces and eat that as needed. or use it as my night meal. what time do you go to sleep? is there a 10 min window you can use to do some simple stretches? and you can always do the secret exercises we all know about. the tummy sucks while standing still, or at the desk, the butt clinches while seated. sit down and stand up 10 times in a row at your desk. push ups against the wall when no one is looking. anything to use your muscles in different ranges of motion. drop a pen on the floor several times a day and bend from the waist to pick it up. while in the bathroom stall, do ten side twists before you leave the stall. (use the handicap stall so your elbows don't hit!!) I am currently working a sit down job, so anytime I have to leave my desk I stand up and sit down a couple of extra times and then take the longest route I can find to the file room and back, even better if I can find an empty stair well. well, I don't know how much use you will find in them for your daily routine, but the only other option is get up 45 minutes early. :grumble:

I agree taking along some good snacks that will be satisfying for a long period of time might help you. Something like nuts and dates and things. I use those at work quite often. They are easy to just take a quick bite is nice when you are on the go.

For lunch you might consider a pea soup or yams (I like both of those) anything that is high in fiber or protein will help keep you satisfied. I like to premake my soup then take it for lunch if I am working a long day.

i to work long days 9 am til 9pm 2 days a week on those days i take all my meals with me and eat when i have time. sometimes i need to eat my meal at 9pm but i do it at work before i leave so im less tempted when i get home.