What to prioritize? Working and going to college full time.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.