Working from 8-5 with 2 hour commute, too tired to do this
GinaMarieG27
Posts: 29 Member
I have been struggling with my diet, my happiness, and my energy levels! Ever since I got this new job a few months ago. I drive an hour each way. The closest supermarket to me is 20 minutes away. I also lost my exercise buddy (my fiancé) when he got a new job too... we don't have any days off together. We used to live in an apartment close to a Whole Foods supermarket and we were eating well (2 years ago) and exercising but I wasn't seeing progress. It could be all the wine I drink. Lately I've been eating Horrible!!! And I'm just too tired/depressed to care. Anyone else feel that way?
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Replies
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Yes! I usually work from 8-630, to even as late as 9, 10, 11, etc. and I live in LA, so I am often faced with a drive that it 1-2 hours each way. It is really tough to lose weight. I almost always food prep on Sunday. It takes 1-3 hour to make all of my breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. Also, sometimes I make huge batches and freeze things. For example, pork butt was on sale a month ago. Well these things are 10 pounds each! So I made carnitas in the slow cooker and froze about 3 weeks worth! Other things that freeze well are soups and sauces. The other thing I have learned to do is learn to tolerate waking up at absurd times. I want to emphasize that I am not a morning person! I just force myself to tolerate them. I find once I start consistently working out in the mornings, I have more energy. It is hard, but it's worth it!7
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The other thing I have learned to do is learn to tolerate waking up at absurd times. I want to emphasize that I am not a morning person! I just force myself to tolerate them. I find once I start consistently working out in the mornings, I have more energy. It is hard, but it's worth it!
Hey! I work from 6 to 4:30 with an hour commute each way, sometimes more depending on traffic. I'm married and carpool with my husband. I do most of the cooking and I workout almost every day after work. I know your struggle very well. I've been doing this for two years. In July I decided to change my life. I'm on track but still learning.3 -
The other thing I have learned to do is learn to tolerate waking up at absurd times. I want to emphasize that I am not a morning person! I just force myself to tolerate them. I find once I start consistently working out in the mornings, I have more energy. It is hard, but it's worth it!
Hey! I work from 6 to 4:30 with an hour commute each way, sometimes more depending on traffic. I'm married and carpool with my husband. I do most of the cooking and I workout almost every day after work. I know your struggle very well. I've been doing this for two years. In July I decided to change my life. I'm on track but still learning.
Great job! Keep at it. It gets better after a while! I've been working these crazy hours for about 5 years now. The hardest thing to do is stay on track. I have definitely fallen off the wagon many times!0 -
I work 8:30-5 and them 5:20-7:30/8:00. (M-F) Also have an hour commute. I'd love some friends who want to connect on mfp for daily support and encouragement. I comment every day. I log daily, and squeeze in exercise daily. I hit the pillow exhausted and pray for 6-7 hours of sleep. Please friend request me. Oh yeah, I do keto (low carb) which is an extra plus if you do too but not necessary :-)
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Hello! I work 4 am to 2, 3 or 4 pm. My commute is 45 minutes in the mornings, 2 hours in the afternoons. I think I have this down to a science but it took me a good 3 months to figure it out.
Meal prep AND meal plan. I know by Wednesday, I'm going to be beat and the last thing I want to do is cook food when I get home. I give myself easy meals those nights. Soup, salad, homemade frozen burritos, a microwave meal. My biggest problem was leaving work in the afternoon and starving, so the temptation to get fast food was there. I pack a sandwich or heat one of the burritos I have pre made in my work microwave , punch out and eat in my car.
In the morning I never wake up early enough to actually make something. I eat a banana during my commute. I pack lots of high protein things that are quick to eat as there aren't scheduled breaks where I work. Yogurt, string cheese, nuts, protein bars, fruit.
I think the biggest helper for me was the meal prep and plan.
Good luck with your goals!4 -
I'm a 2 hour commuter too. Planning, planning, planning. Find what works for you. Quick healthy meals chicken and veggies. Lots of great recipes. Salads. Leftovers for lunch. I have trouble with Leftovers, I want to eat more while cleaning up. I know it's my warning danger Will Robinson moment and am careful (usually). Sunday shopping and prep helps and is part of my plan. Sucks some Sundays but down 40 so...
Good luck, find what works for you. Don't give up. Come here frequently for support.3 -
anacsitham5 wrote: »I work 8:30-5 and them 5:20-7:30/8:00. (M-F) Also have an hour commute. I'd love some friends who want to connect on mfp for daily support and encouragement. I comment every day. I log daily, and squeeze in exercise daily. I hit the pillow exhausted and pray for 6-7 hours of sleep. Please friend request me. Oh yeah, I do keto (low carb) which is an extra plus if you do too but not necessary :-)
That is inspiring because you have a long work day yet you find the time. What do you do for meals? Do you cook it all?
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I'm a 2 hour commuter too. Planning, planning, planning. Find what works for you. Quick healthy meals chicken and veggies. Lots of great recipes. Salads. Leftovers for lunch. I have trouble with Leftovers, I want to eat more while cleaning up. I know it's my warning danger Will Robinson moment and am careful (usually). Sunday shopping and prep helps and is part of my plan. Sucks some Sundays but down 40 so...
Good luck, find what works for you. Don't give up. Come here frequently for support.
I want to do a Sunday planning thing where I design what to eat the entire week and then buy it all and try to get it ready but the problem I have is my fiancé doesn't eat the things o like to eat so I end up eating what he wants which is not very good for me. He eats lots of ham sandwiches and chicken nuggets French fries burgers Chinese food like the sweet and sour chicken.. and then it gets expensive and time consuming to make two separate meals!0 -
GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I'm a 2 hour commuter too. Planning, planning, planning. Find what works for you. Quick healthy meals chicken and veggies. Lots of great recipes. Salads. Leftovers for lunch. I have trouble with Leftovers, I want to eat more while cleaning up. I know it's my warning danger Will Robinson moment and am careful (usually). Sunday shopping and prep helps and is part of my plan. Sucks some Sundays but down 40 so...
Good luck, find what works for you. Don't give up. Come here frequently for support.
I want to do a Sunday planning thing where I design what to eat the entire week and then buy it all and try to get it ready but the problem I have is my fiancé doesn't eat the things o like to eat so I end up eating what he wants which is not very good for me. He eats lots of ham sandwiches and chicken nuggets French fries burgers Chinese food like the sweet and sour chicken.. and then it gets expensive and time consuming to make two separate meals!
Sounds like you two need to compromise. Maybe eat healthy Mon-Fri and his way on the weekends. Worst case, he should know how to put a ham sandwich together if he is unhappy with what you made!1 -
GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I'm a 2 hour commuter too. Planning, planning, planning. Find what works for you. Quick healthy meals chicken and veggies. Lots of great recipes. Salads. Leftovers for lunch. I have trouble with Leftovers, I want to eat more while cleaning up. I know it's my warning danger Will Robinson moment and am careful (usually). Sunday shopping and prep helps and is part of my plan. Sucks some Sundays but down 40 so...
Good luck, find what works for you. Don't give up. Come here frequently for support.
I want to do a Sunday planning thing where I design what to eat the entire week and then buy it all and try to get it ready but the problem I have is my fiancé doesn't eat the things o like to eat so I end up eating what he wants which is not very good for me. He eats lots of ham sandwiches and chicken nuggets French fries burgers Chinese food like the sweet and sour chicken.. and then it gets expensive and time consuming to make two separate meals!
Sounds like you two need to compromise. Maybe eat healthy Mon-Fri and his way on the weekends. Worst case, he should know how to put a ham sandwich together if he is unhappy with what you made!
Lol0 -
GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I have been struggling with my diet, my happiness, and my energy levels! Ever since I got this new job a few months ago. I drive an hour each way. The closest supermarket to me is 20 minutes away. I also lost my exercise buddy (my fiancé) when he got a new job too... we don't have any days off together. We used to live in an apartment close to a Whole Foods supermarket and we were eating well (2 years ago) and exercising but I wasn't seeing progress. It could be all the wine I drink. Lately I've been eating Horrible!!! And I'm just too tired/depressed to care. Anyone else feel that way?
I work 8-5 and also have a 2 hour daily commute...I shop on Saturday or Sunday for the week. I always make time for regular exercise...regular exercise will give you more energy and make you feel better in general.GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I'm a 2 hour commuter too. Planning, planning, planning. Find what works for you. Quick healthy meals chicken and veggies. Lots of great recipes. Salads. Leftovers for lunch. I have trouble with Leftovers, I want to eat more while cleaning up. I know it's my warning danger Will Robinson moment and am careful (usually). Sunday shopping and prep helps and is part of my plan. Sucks some Sundays but down 40 so...
Good luck, find what works for you. Don't give up. Come here frequently for support.
I want to do a Sunday planning thing where I design what to eat the entire week and then buy it all and try to get it ready but the problem I have is my fiancé doesn't eat the things o like to eat so I end up eating what he wants which is not very good for me. He eats lots of ham sandwiches and chicken nuggets French fries burgers Chinese food like the sweet and sour chicken.. and then it gets expensive and time consuming to make two separate meals!
My wife and I alternate cooking days...we get what we get when the other is cooking...if we don't like it, we can go on hungry or prepare our own meal...he's a big boy...if he doesn't like it tell him he can make his own food.4 -
I don't have your schedule problem but thought I'd throw out a few suggestions.
Cooking can be faster and cheaper than take out food. Maybe eat out just once or twice a week.
Get food that you can get more than 1 meal out of when you do get take out.
Plan a limited rotating menu during the week. You don't have to eat something different every meal every day.
There is nothing wrong with oatmeal, a sandwich, big salad or eggs for dinner if you are too tired to cook. Pasta and salad is quick too. You can make a fast thin crust pizza with a tortilla.
Prelog your food for the day and just eat what you logged.
Cook double when you do cook so you have leftovers for other dinners or lunches. Freeze it in individual portions. A big pot of soup reheats and freezes well.
Fruit and veggies for low/no prep snacks.
Use a slow cooker. Most slow cooker recipes you just dump stuff in and walk away for 8-10 hours.
You and your boyfriend can eat different foods in different amounts. Have more vegetables with yours.
Some grocery stores offer online ordering and you just pick up your groceries. I've done this and it was about $5 and saved a ton of time. I made better choices too.
Try shopping for 2 weeks at a time so you go to the store less often.
Lots of free 20 minute or less workouts on You Tube. I like Jessica Smith tv. Walk briskly for 15-30 minutes at some point in your day.
Cut down on alcohol and use your calories for food.
Try to get enough sleep. If you get 8 hours and are still dead tired maybe see a doctor.
If you are really depressed get some professional help/medication. It can make a big difference.1 -
So do I (and thousands of others...) Prep meals over weekends, of take a healthy choice steamer to work, plus good snacks.
Move - get up every hour and fill up your water bottle. Use your breaks to go for a quick ten minute walk. We have a warehouse space with an old tv/dvd - I do tabata workouts/plyometrics/ or other workout dvd's during the 40 minute lunch and eat at my desk.
Or walk during your lunch hour....
Or do what I do on the days I know I can't workout over lunch - set the alarm for an hour earlier (even if it is 4:30 in the morning) and work out at home....
NO excuses3 -
I don't have your schedule problem but thought I'd throw out a few suggestions.
Cooking can be faster and cheaper than take out food. Maybe eat out just once or twice a week.
Get food that you can get more than 1 meal out of when you do get take out.
Plan a limited rotating menu during the week. You don't have to eat something different every meal every day.
There is nothing wrong with oatmeal, a sandwich, big salad or eggs for dinner if you are too tired to cook. Pasta and salad is quick too. You can make a fast thin crust pizza with a tortilla.
Prelog your food for the day and just eat what you logged.
Cook double when you do cook so you have leftovers for other dinners or lunches. Freeze it in individual portions. A big pot of soup reheats and freezes well.
Fruit and veggies for low/no prep snacks.
Use a slow cooker. Most slow cooker recipes you just dump stuff in and walk away for 8-10 hours.
You and your boyfriend can eat different foods in different amounts. Have more vegetables with yours.
Some grocery stores offer online ordering and you just pick up your groceries. I've done this and it was about $5 and saved a ton of time. I made better choices too.
Try shopping for 2 weeks at a time so you go to the store less often.
Lots of free 20 minute or less workouts on You Tube. I like Jessica Smith tv. Walk briskly for 15-30 minutes at some point in your day.
Cut down on alcohol and use your calories for food.
Try to get enough sleep. If you get 8 hours and are still dead tired maybe see a doctor.
If you are really depressed get some professional help/medication. It can make a big difference.
I want to do a slow cooker so bad but every time I pick out things in the book he says no so you know what your not the first person to tell me to just make what I want. I know I'm going to feel bad when he's eating toast and giving me that sad look but I need to do this for myself!1 -
Thank you all for the great ideas !! The outpouring of support is really touching me. I feel like I'm not alone now. I really appreciate it.1
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i work 8-5 with a 2 hour commute as well
work out at 5:30, plan my meals, cooks proper meals, bring my lunch
stop making excuses2 -
GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I don't have your schedule problem but thought I'd throw out a few suggestions.
Cooking can be faster and cheaper than take out food. Maybe eat out just once or twice a week.
Get food that you can get more than 1 meal out of when you do get take out.
Plan a limited rotating menu during the week. You don't have to eat something different every meal every day.
There is nothing wrong with oatmeal, a sandwich, big salad or eggs for dinner if you are too tired to cook. Pasta and salad is quick too. You can make a fast thin crust pizza with a tortilla.
Prelog your food for the day and just eat what you logged.
Cook double when you do cook so you have leftovers for other dinners or lunches. Freeze it in individual portions. A big pot of soup reheats and freezes well.
Fruit and veggies for low/no prep snacks.
Use a slow cooker. Most slow cooker recipes you just dump stuff in and walk away for 8-10 hours.
You and your boyfriend can eat different foods in different amounts. Have more vegetables with yours.
Some grocery stores offer online ordering and you just pick up your groceries. I've done this and it was about $5 and saved a ton of time. I made better choices too.
Try shopping for 2 weeks at a time so you go to the store less often.
Lots of free 20 minute or less workouts on You Tube. I like Jessica Smith tv. Walk briskly for 15-30 minutes at some point in your day.
Cut down on alcohol and use your calories for food.
Try to get enough sleep. If you get 8 hours and are still dead tired maybe see a doctor.
If you are really depressed get some professional help/medication. It can make a big difference.
I want to do a slow cooker so bad but every time I pick out things in the book he says no so you know what your not the first person to tell me to just make what I want. I know I'm going to feel bad when he's eating toast and giving me that sad look but I need to do this for myself!
Once again, he knows how to make a ham sandwich! You need to stick up for yourself. Plus, I bet once he tastes your food, he will probably like it. At some point, you need to put your foot down. A relationship is about compromise. Sounds like you are the one doing all of the compromising. That's not way to live life!1 -
I work 6:30 am to 5:30 pm at an under-resourced failing elementary school in Brooklyn. I have cried every single day since August 28 I believe. I broke up with my boyfriend prior to this and left a job I was in for 8 years. I feel alone and sad...but I am still not going off the rails. Maintenance mode for a bit.
And I still haven't missed a workout/training session!6 -
arditarose wrote: »I work 6:30 am to 5:30 pm at an under-resourced failing elementary school in Brooklyn. I have cried every single day since August 28 I believe. I broke up with my boyfriend prior to this and left a job I was in for 8 years. I feel alone and sad...but I am still not going off the rails. Maintenance mode for a bit.
And I still haven't missed a workout/training session!
Great job! I am sorry about your troubles. I hope you push through it!0 -
Yes, I have felt this way and my weight shows it. For me meal prepping on Sunday for the week is a big help. It takes about 2 hours, but it's worth it. As for as excerise. Start off by walking during lunch. Maybe you can find someone at work that would like to walk with you. Then gradually set a day or 2 that you will workout for 20 mins and gradually increase the days and the amount of time. It can be hard believe me it's hard for me. Today I did my first 30 min workout. I feel great. You can do it!!! 2
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OP it helps me to keep my lunch light and think of it as fuel. I love vegetables so I just literally bring a tomato, cucumber, some laughing cow cheese and tuna, mix it with hot sauce...200 calorie high volume/filling lunch. Then there's more room for me to screw around with calories when at home/crying myself to sleep lol.0
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I work from 10p to 6a, have to go home and get my lil boy ready for school, as soon as I drop him off I go home, sleep from about 8:30a to 2:30p, get up, get ready, pick him up, clean house, help him with his homework, make dinner, get him ready for bed, get ready for work and start all over....you just gotta find the time.3
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arditarose wrote: »I work 6:30 am to 5:30 pm at an under-resourced failing elementary school in Brooklyn. I have cried every single day since August 28 I believe. I broke up with my boyfriend prior to this and left a job I was in for 8 years. I feel alone and sad...but I am still not going off the rails. Maintenance mode for a bit.
And I still haven't missed a workout/training session!
You rock @arditarose
Sorry to hear about your troubles. 0 -
Out of a 16 hour day (that's 8 hours of sleep) you lose 2 hours of commuting (14 hours) then 9 hours of work/lunch. That's still 5 hours to do something. Even if you took an hour to cook and another hour to clean up, that still leaves 3 hours. And you don't need to exercise for 3 hours. Or even 1 for that matter.
So really it's up to YOU if you want to do it or not. Lots of people have the same schedule you do (and even less time), and still get it done because it's a priority. If you're NOT doing it, it's because it's not that important to you right now.
A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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I am the same so I've handed my notice in. Gonna start a new job instead.2
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My schedule varies a lot day to day and commute can be 45 min-1.5 hrs each way depending on traffic. I try to keep from breaking down and getting junk on the way by leaving all of the following in my car at all times to deal with any possible craving/hunger need: gum, protein bars, nuts, crackers, Apple, water. I have a very full glove box!2
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GinaMarieG27 wrote: »I don't have your schedule problem but thought I'd throw out a few suggestions.
Cooking can be faster and cheaper than take out food. Maybe eat out just once or twice a week.
Get food that you can get more than 1 meal out of when you do get take out.
Plan a limited rotating menu during the week. You don't have to eat something different every meal every day.
There is nothing wrong with oatmeal, a sandwich, big salad or eggs for dinner if you are too tired to cook. Pasta and salad is quick too. You can make a fast thin crust pizza with a tortilla.
Prelog your food for the day and just eat what you logged.
Cook double when you do cook so you have leftovers for other dinners or lunches. Freeze it in individual portions. A big pot of soup reheats and freezes well.
Fruit and veggies for low/no prep snacks.
Use a slow cooker. Most slow cooker recipes you just dump stuff in and walk away for 8-10 hours.
You and your boyfriend can eat different foods in different amounts. Have more vegetables with yours.
Some grocery stores offer online ordering and you just pick up your groceries. I've done this and it was about $5 and saved a ton of time. I made better choices too.
Try shopping for 2 weeks at a time so you go to the store less often.
Lots of free 20 minute or less workouts on You Tube. I like Jessica Smith tv. Walk briskly for 15-30 minutes at some point in your day.
Cut down on alcohol and use your calories for food.
Try to get enough sleep. If you get 8 hours and are still dead tired maybe see a doctor.
If you are really depressed get some professional help/medication. It can make a big difference.
I want to do a slow cooker so bad but every time I pick out things in the book he says no so you know what your not the first person to tell me to just make what I want. I know I'm going to feel bad when he's eating toast and giving me that sad look but I need to do this for myself!
He is an adult. Giving you sad eyes and eating toast is childish. Don't feel bad over his dumb choices.
Compromise on a meal plan that gives both of you foods you like. Cook a basic main item in the slow cook like chicken to share but have different sides.
If you really can't compromise on a meal plan then he can feed himself while you feed yourself and don't feel bad. You don't have to pool your money for everything. You can choose to spend your money on stuff you like.
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Cutaway_Collar wrote: »4:27am and made a coffee for Missus Cutaway. Checked in to the gym.
@arditarose
Teaching is a tough, thankless, yet noble profession. Your students will remember you for the rest of their lives. That is something to be proud of. Bad patches of life are just passing clouds. Time to find a new boyfriend. And my theory is that one should change jobs every 5 years to disrupt monotony in profession.
Thank you. But now you made me cry again. I just wonder when the crying will stop and the teaching can begin!
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arditarose wrote: »I work 6:30 am to 5:30 pm at an under-resourced failing elementary school in Brooklyn. I have cried every single day since August 28 I believe. I broke up with my boyfriend prior to this and left a job I was in for 8 years. I feel alone and sad...but I am still not going off the rails. Maintenance mode for a bit.
And I still haven't missed a workout/training session!
I'm sorry for what your going through! That is not easy. I can feel your pain. I can't say how to overcome it because I myself do not know. I work with a bully who is constantly trying to make me look bad by yelling things out that are not true for everyone in the office to hear about work stuff. And he accuses me of working on things that he did all himself when it goes wrong. I tend to only cry on my way to work because I'm dreading it and then I spend the whole day at work angry inside every time he starts with his crap. But it takes a huge toll on me. I think I'm becoming depressed definitely because of this job!0 -
I want to do a slow cooker so bad but every time I pick out things in the book he says no so you know what your not the first person to tell me to just make what I want. I know I'm going to feel bad when he's eating toast and giving me that sad look but I need to do this for myself![/quote]
Why dont you try to make him a partner in your journey? Try explaining him how important this is for you and that you would expect his support in this. My husband is a real foodie and his idea of romance (unfortunately for me) is taking me out for lavish dinners. This made me gain 8KG just before we were about to get married. So I made a game out of it. Every time we were eating something outrageously hi cal, I would tell him how long I will have to workout to make it even. Or point at a body part and say "those calories went here". It has totally stopped now and we eat at home most days (28 days of the month). Try it. It might help you. Good luck
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