What to prioritize? Working and going to college full time.
DarthScabrous
Posts: 25 Member
Work 3rd shift in a factory, and then go to school a town away until at least 1. I wanted to know what I should prioritize. I'm trying to just lose weight right now, so trying to cut down my food intake. Starting at 518lb. The food profile tells me I need close to 3200 calories per day just to lose 2lbs a week. But I'm trying to keep myself under 2200 right now, and so far its going good.
Now, I don't have a ton of free time, except on the weekends. I have a YMCA membership, and can go there straight after finishing up at school. I need to get to sleep by at least 4:30, so I can have at least 5 hours of sleep. What would be best for me to prioritize? Should I do cardio, strength, or both? Or, should I worry only about food right now?
I've tried asking this on Reddit fitness, and that didn't go well at all. Got tired of private messages calling me all sorts of names. I'm trying, I just have no idea what to start with. It would be easier if I wasn't going to both work and school.
Now, I don't have a ton of free time, except on the weekends. I have a YMCA membership, and can go there straight after finishing up at school. I need to get to sleep by at least 4:30, so I can have at least 5 hours of sleep. What would be best for me to prioritize? Should I do cardio, strength, or both? Or, should I worry only about food right now?
I've tried asking this on Reddit fitness, and that didn't go well at all. Got tired of private messages calling me all sorts of names. I'm trying, I just have no idea what to start with. It would be easier if I wasn't going to both work and school.
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Replies
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You don't need to work out to lose weight. Just stay at a sustainable calorie deficit and it will happen.
Don't drive yourself too crazy over it. 9 -
If I were you, I'd concentrate on calorie intake to start. If you have some time for exercise, walking is good.
I suggest that you log what you eat for a week or two without making any changes. Caloried drinks, sauces, anything and everything with calories needs to be logged. You can then look back through to see where you might eat smaller portions and/or make lower calorie substitutions.3 -
We can't tell you what to prioritize. Only you can do that. My priority right now is college, and I've still managed to lose 56 pounds. I agree with above...you don't need to go to the gym to lose weight. If you have a calorie deficit then you are good to go.2
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I think that's probably best. Its a huge amount of work, and maybe I can just go to the gym on weekends. Already have the membership, paid in full, so might as well use it, even a little bit. Maybe an hour swimming or walking each day. That still gets me out by at most 3 o'clock.7
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I'd prioritize logging food accurately and getting enough sleep (and doing your coursework). Exercise would be low priority, well after adequate (6+ hours per night, ideally) sleep.
I'm a fourth-year PhD student; I also have a full-time administrative job at the University, as well as three kids.4 -
My problem is that my work and college are 2 towns apart, and I live in the town between them. I spend a good deal of time, at least 90 minutes just driving back and forth. Luckily, I'm almost done with college, at least here.0
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If you don't get enough sleep you definitely won't lose weight and your grades and mental health will suffer IMHO. If I were you I'd focus on food for the remainder of the school yeah and take up working out when the summer holidays come.0
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I am sorry Reddit fitness was cruel to you, it sounds like you are trying to improve your health and life.
If I was in your shoes, I would prioritize:
1. School
2. Work
3. Sleep- I would be trying for as much as I could get. Sleep effects so much of your mental health including motivation and energy. Lack of sleep can cause depression and a bad mood. It also effects your immune system. If you are sick, lack energy, and feeling down it is going to be difficult to keep pushing forward. I know you already paid for your gym membership but honestly, I would use that gym time to be sleeping. Scientific American had a great article about how important sleep is, unfortunately you need a membership to read it. (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/beyond-memory-the-benefits-of-sleep/) After that article I prioritize sleep above working out. I can give the TD:LR from what I remember if you are curious.
4. Logging accurately and consistently, using a food scale.
As things change, such as you finish college, that will open up time to add in exercise and get more sleep. Just focus on what you can do, not on what you can't do.
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You have to prioritize what is most important to you. You can lose weight without exercise just by being in a caloric deficit.0
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I wouldn't say not to exercise, but I'd definitely prioritize sleep over it. How long were you planning on exercising at the Y? Could you shorten it? At your size, you're burning more calories just to survive. The lighter and fitter you get, the more you'll be able to increase intensity of exercise to make the most of your time.0
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You have to do what is right for you! Just keep in mind to lose weight you just have to be in a calorie deficit! 80% Food and 20% Exercise. Without compromising school and sleep go ahead and add in some exercise, but if you can't right now...it will not hinder your weight loss efforts. I wish you the best!!1
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In order to lose weight you just have to eat at a deficit, that should be the main priority. If you can do that, the pounds will fall right off. Integrate cardio (via walking around the neighborhood, etc.) when possible. Later on when you are closer to your goal weight lifting and more cardio will be more of a priority and will be deemed more "necessary" in order to achieve a final health and fitness goal but for now just focus on eating right! And I'm sorry about your previous other responses you received on Reddit. It's a shame that people are such jerks instead of being motivating and supportive. You've come to the right place if you're looking for a supportive atmosphere that keeps you accountable!0
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Honestly, I think finding a good routine is one of the most important things. Once you build habits that you can follow everyday it will become natural. So, if this means getting up 20 minutes earlier each day and going for a walk - great. Then fill in with other exercise as you can. I also think logging your food is key. But in the end, I think building sustainable habits are the most important for long term change.0
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Man, right now I'm doing about 20 minutes of intense cardio and 25 minutes of intense strength training each day, except for weekends. I'm in and out of the gym in less than an hour. That paired with shooting for a 500 calorie deficit each day, I'm losing lbs and getting leaner / stronger. As stated, only you know your body but I personally think a balance of cardio and strength training is best. Then again, opinions are like *kitten*; everybody has one.0
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I would not eat so far below the goal MFP gave you to lose 2 lbs a week. Slow, steady sustainable loss is better than dropping a lot quickly and burning out in a couple of months. Be patient.
I would get food under control, logging everything as accurately as you can. This is priority one. Don't drastically overhaul your diet right away. Just start reducing portion sizes and eating more low calorie foods like vegetables.
Get more sleep. 5 hours is not enough for most people.
I would not plan to exercise more than 30 minutes to an 1 hour a day starting out. I think it is good to alternate activities. You don't have to go to a gym every day. You can walk, do 10-30 minute workout videos off of you tube or something you don't have to commute to do. Do some body weight exercises at home. Get some dumbells to use at home.0 -
butterfli7o wrote: »You don't need to work out to lose weight. Just stay at a sustainable calorie deficit and it will happen. Don't drive yourself too crazy over it.
This.0 -
Joanna2012B wrote: »You have to do what is right for you! Just keep in mind to lose weight you just have to be in a calorie deficit! 80% Food and 20% Exercise. Without compromising school and sleep go ahead and add in some exercise, but if you can't right now...it will not hinder your weight loss efforts. I wish you the best!!
This isn't correct-you can lose weight 100% by your calorie intake and no extra exercise. I lost 50lbs this way and there's many others who have lost weight just by focusing on calorie intake as well 1 -
As a mother of a college age son I will say prioritize your grades. But after that I would prioritize your eating. Make sure you are at a calorie deficit. Exercise is good for you, but for weight loss a calorie deficit is what you need. I would put your stats into mfp and then eat what it tells you. Don't try to go under your calorie goal. You need to make sure you are getting enough to fuel your body. Working and going to college is a lot. If you do any exercise enter it in and eat back at least half of the calories earned. You can do this.1
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DarthScabrous wrote: »I think that's probably best. Its a huge amount of work, and maybe I can just go to the gym on weekends. Already have the membership, paid in full, so might as well use it, even a little bit. Maybe an hour swimming or walking each day. That still gets me out by at most 3 o'clock.
I'm so proud of you. You'll do gr8.0 -
My opinion:
1. Caloric Intake - keep doing what you're doing and get some initial weight off.
2. Sleep. Try to get 7 hours of sleep. Use the rest of the time to study.
3. After you drop some weight and get into a good study pattern, add some activity to your day. Walking will be a good start.
4.
May the force be with you!0 -
I should clarify, I wasn't clear in the original post. I do have a YMCA membership, but I don't pay for it. My work pays for it, and all I have to do at the end of the year is show that I used it at least 5 times in a month. Great deal. And yeah, I try to strive for 2200 calories, BUT, I usually do go over, just because I know I need extra, so a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter throughout the day.
I've definitely noticed that there is a difference now between hungry, bored, and thirsty. I cut soda out about a week and a half ago, and carry around a RTIC tumbler, filling it up constantly. My water intake has increased a crazy amount. I'd say I'm usually drinking 128 oz a day, usually more. I've felt more alert definitely, and can tell that a lot of times that I felt hungry, it was actually because I was thirsty, and now I'm able to handle that.
I was thinking at the most an hour in the gym, either every other day, or every three days. Just either swimming or walking. I know I can at least walk 2 miles on a treadmill, which is surprising given my weight, but I honestly can. Only about a mile on the elliptical. Swimming is actually more difficult for me, I need to invest in swimming classes. I can swim, but I can't swim. Like, if a slow angry maneating turtle is coming for me, I should probably just stop and wait on him to catch up, because I'm not going to be fast enough to get away.2 -
DarthScabrous wrote: »I should clarify, I wasn't clear in the original post. I do have a YMCA membership, but I don't pay for it. My work pays for it, and all I have to do at the end of the year is show that I used it at least 5 times in a month. Great deal. And yeah, I try to strive for 2200 calories, BUT, I usually do go over, just because I know I need extra, so a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter throughout the day.
I've definitely noticed that there is a difference now between hungry, bored, and thirsty. I cut soda out about a week and a half ago, and carry around a RTIC tumbler, filling it up constantly. My water intake has increased a crazy amount. I'd say I'm usually drinking 128 oz a day, usually more. I've felt more alert definitely, and can tell that a lot of times that I felt hungry, it was actually because I was thirsty, and now I'm able to handle that.
I was thinking at the most an hour in the gym, either every other day, or every three days. Just either swimming or walking. I know I can at least walk 2 miles on a treadmill, which is surprising given my weight, but I honestly can. Only about a mile on the elliptical. Swimming is actually more difficult for me, I need to invest in swimming classes. I can swim, but I can't swim. Like, if a slow angry maneating turtle is coming for me, I should probably just stop and wait on him to catch up, because I'm not going to be fast enough to get away.
You don't need to be the fastest person in the pool, you just need to be faster than the slowest - the turtle will catch the slower one Same applies when running from bears & etc. - as long as there's someone slower, you're fine! 1 -
ClosetBayesian wrote: »DarthScabrous wrote: »I should clarify, I wasn't clear in the original post. I do have a YMCA membership, but I don't pay for it. My work pays for it, and all I have to do at the end of the year is show that I used it at least 5 times in a month. Great deal. And yeah, I try to strive for 2200 calories, BUT, I usually do go over, just because I know I need extra, so a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter throughout the day.
I've definitely noticed that there is a difference now between hungry, bored, and thirsty. I cut soda out about a week and a half ago, and carry around a RTIC tumbler, filling it up constantly. My water intake has increased a crazy amount. I'd say I'm usually drinking 128 oz a day, usually more. I've felt more alert definitely, and can tell that a lot of times that I felt hungry, it was actually because I was thirsty, and now I'm able to handle that.
I was thinking at the most an hour in the gym, either every other day, or every three days. Just either swimming or walking. I know I can at least walk 2 miles on a treadmill, which is surprising given my weight, but I honestly can. Only about a mile on the elliptical. Swimming is actually more difficult for me, I need to invest in swimming classes. I can swim, but I can't swim. Like, if a slow angry maneating turtle is coming for me, I should probably just stop and wait on him to catch up, because I'm not going to be fast enough to get away.
You don't need to be the fastest person in the pool, you just need to be faster than the slowest - the turtle will catch the slower one Same applies when running from bears & etc. - as long as there's someone slower, you're fine!
Problem is I haven't found one yet lol2 -
I'd agree with the previous posters about food and sleep. I'm also studying, and grades come first, but i try and add in bits of quick exercise. Like if I have to walk somewhere, I walk quickly so im out of breath, or i take stairs rather than the lift etc. Another timesaving trick is doing high intensity workouts, which tend to last 30 mins. You can jse weights, or if there isnt much equipment, the good ol internet has plenty of bodyweight workouts to try. Might give you the exercise, while still giving enoigh time for other things.0
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Congrats on getting started! I've never worked a full-time job while going to school, so I can only imagine how little free time you have.
It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. I agree with all the above advice: paying attention to food & water and getting adequate sleep. Figuring out actual portions and knowing when you're truly hungry vs bored or thirsty is HUGE. At least for me. I was the world's worst water drinker.
My only addition would be that maybe you could combine some of your priorities. Like reading/studying while walking on the treadmill or biking. Like someone said, you don't have to be going fast or burning like crazy. But you could work up from 10 or 20 minutes a day. Even if you're moving slow, you're still moving. And something is better than nothing. And you're able to get in some important studying at the same time.
Best of luck to you!0 -
As others have mentioned, reducing calorie intake is the key for weight loss. Formal exercise would be a great addition but a bit difficult with your schedule.
What sort of factory job do you have? Some tend to be pretty physical, while others aren't much more active than an office job. You may be getting a fair amount of exercise from the job and can get by without formal exercise for now.
Best of luck.0 -
THIS. Exercise is for fitness and health. Calorie deficit to lose weight. Sleep is an IMPORTANT factor for weight loss.If I were you, I'd concentrate on calorie intake to start. If you have some time for exercise, walking is good.
I suggest that you log what you eat for a week or two without making any changes. Caloried drinks, sauces, anything and everything with calories needs to be logged. You can then look back through to see where you might eat smaller portions and/or make lower calorie substitutions.
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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DarthScabrous wrote: »Should I do cardio, strength, or both? Or, should I worry only about food right now?
As others are suggesting, you'll lose weight by getting on top of your calorie balance, although I'd avoid going into a really aggressive deficit. You want this to be maintainable long term.
The value in using the YMCA facility now is habit forming. Worry about getting there within your schedule and doing something. Once the habit is ingrained then you get more from it.
Given your weight, walking on the dreadmill is perfectly reasonable, although I do think that you'll get a lot from learning to swim. Being in the water helps deal with your existing weight and it provides a balance of cardiovascular and strength building benefit.0 -
DarthScabrous wrote: »ClosetBayesian wrote: »DarthScabrous wrote: »I should clarify, I wasn't clear in the original post. I do have a YMCA membership, but I don't pay for it. My work pays for it, and all I have to do at the end of the year is show that I used it at least 5 times in a month. Great deal. And yeah, I try to strive for 2200 calories, BUT, I usually do go over, just because I know I need extra, so a couple of teaspoons of peanut butter throughout the day.
I've definitely noticed that there is a difference now between hungry, bored, and thirsty. I cut soda out about a week and a half ago, and carry around a RTIC tumbler, filling it up constantly. My water intake has increased a crazy amount. I'd say I'm usually drinking 128 oz a day, usually more. I've felt more alert definitely, and can tell that a lot of times that I felt hungry, it was actually because I was thirsty, and now I'm able to handle that.
I was thinking at the most an hour in the gym, either every other day, or every three days. Just either swimming or walking. I know I can at least walk 2 miles on a treadmill, which is surprising given my weight, but I honestly can. Only about a mile on the elliptical. Swimming is actually more difficult for me, I need to invest in swimming classes. I can swim, but I can't swim. Like, if a slow angry maneating turtle is coming for me, I should probably just stop and wait on him to catch up, because I'm not going to be fast enough to get away.
You don't need to be the fastest person in the pool, you just need to be faster than the slowest - the turtle will catch the slower one Same applies when running from bears & etc. - as long as there's someone slower, you're fine!
Problem is I haven't found one yet lol
Pfft, I was probably the slowest person at Orange Theory Fitness, and I still burned massive calories.
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