Any nontraditional students here?

rabbitlvr_
rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
in Chit-Chat
As an "older" person with commitments like family, work, household, and school I find it challenging at times to commit to eating well and exercising. The study life can put a damper on the ability to be more active, but I do try.

Anyone else a nontraditional student? What are some things you've done to be successful?
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Replies

  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Pre-plan meals and/or have lots of food prep. It sucks but spend a weekend afternoon prepping for the week. That why you can just toss in what you need and make something real fast.

    Another trick I heard about is eat pretty much the same thing everyday. It's boring but you will meet all your goals and can focus on more important things.
  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    Ugh I can't eat the same thing-- I get discouraged and give up. I find it easier to rotate between foods and make different combinations. I have limited resources and my fridge isn't very big, so I can only prep so far out.

    I also have the tendency to get REALLY hungry during night classes.
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    You are going to have to do planing, prepping, and cooking. There's no way around it. I wish there was.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    cee134 wrote: »
    You are going to have to do planing, prepping, and cooking. There's no way around it. I wish there was.

    +1
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  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    GnothiSeauton23 wrote: »
    you said you have a family...what is your wife doing this whole time. You've got our own private chef my man...take advantage of it!

    #sammichesfordays

    Um, I'm the wife lol. I do all of the cooking and I also cook for him too. A lot of those foods aren't conducive to weight loss, either...
  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    Is anyone who's posted a nontraditional student?
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  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Slow cooker recipes work well this time of year.
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  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    GnothiSeauton23 wrote: »
    you said you have a family...what is your wife doing this whole time. You've got our own private chef my man...take advantage of it!

    #sammichesfordays

    Um, I'm the wife lol. I do all of the cooking and I also cook for him too. A lot of those foods aren't conducive to weight loss, either...

    does this mean that you are eating separately from what you cook and prepare for your family?
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  • MyLovesMyLife
    MyLovesMyLife Posts: 424 Member
    I am a PT student SAHM who home schools as well. I study and work at night or nap time. And weekends. I LOVE the slow cooker but my kids usually dont. LOL.
  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    GnothiSeauton23 wrote: »
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    Is anyone who's posted a nontraditional student?

    I was for the past 2 years while finishing my masters. I also complete my undergrad while in the military working full time. Does that count?

    Yes, but what did you do to be successful with weight loss? As someone who's responsible for 100% of the cooking, I need more tools in my toolbox.

    And before someone gets on me, I've been able to to lose 20+ lbs so far. The reason why I was able to do that is because I didn't have the same schedule load I have now.
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  • angelxsss
    angelxsss Posts: 2,402 Member
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    GnothiSeauton23 wrote: »
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    Is anyone who's posted a nontraditional student?

    I was for the past 2 years while finishing my masters. I also complete my undergrad while in the military working full time. Does that count?

    Yes, but what did you do to be successful with weight loss? As someone who's responsible for 100% of the cooking, I need more tools in my toolbox.

    And before someone gets on me, I've been able to to lose 20+ lbs so far. The reason why I was able to do that is because I didn't have the same schedule load I have now.

    can nobody else help with cooking? How much downtime does hubby have? And do you have kids? How old are they? Could they help out?
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  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    No kids (thank goodness for now) and my husband doesn't cook.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    edited January 2017
    OP, a food scale, zip lock bags (sandwhich, snack bags), some tupper ware and little bit of time. You can prep snacks by weighing them out a head of time, throw some fruit in your bag, and if you can take left overs with you do that.

    You can put your family meals in the recipe builder, throw you a serving in a tupper ware container (heat and eat) and also slowe cooker and casseroles are king.
  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    happilymegan wrote: »
    -Prep your breakfasts and lunches ahead of time.
    -slow cooker recipes
    -make up a bunch of freezer friendly food for when you're on the go

    Good idea! Do you know of some tupperware brands that hold up well in the freezer? I recently threw out a lot of plastic lids that were flaking from freezer use (it was pyrex).
  • jagodfrey08
    jagodfrey08 Posts: 425 Member
    I attend classes online for my bachelor's degree. I also homeschool our three children. That's pretty nontraditional, right?

    I have a gym membership, and my kids get to play in the childcare there when my husband and I go. Typically, we got 4 days a week. One day at my husband's lunch time, one day in the afternoon, and the other two at night. When we have the night workouts, I usually make something to eat in the crockpot to save time.

    Before we hit the gym, I used to go walking through the neighborhood after dinner. That gave him time by himself with the kids and me a small break from them.

    I do all of the cooking in our house, and our family has accepted my healthier meals. I still make things they enjoy that I no longer eat, like pasta. Usually on those days, I sautee zucchini for myself and make noodles for them. Or, when they want pizza, I will have leftovers. It hasn't been a hard compromise.
  • angelxsss
    angelxsss Posts: 2,402 Member
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    No kids (thank goodness for now) and my husband doesn't cook.

    well there's no time like the present to learn how! lol, crack that whip
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  • rabbitlvr_
    rabbitlvr_ Posts: 24 Member
    happilymegan wrote: »
    GnothiSeauton23 wrote: »
    angelxsss wrote: »
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    No kids (thank goodness for now) and my husband doesn't cook.

    well there's no time like the present to learn how! lol, crack that whip
    happilymegan wrote: »
    rabbitlvr_ wrote: »
    No kids (thank goodness for now) and my husband doesn't cook.

    I suggest he learn. You're supposed to be a team.

    This. No girls get back in the kitchen!

    Looks like it's you and your hand for life with that stank attitude.

    Alright everyone, let's not bicker!

    Thanks for the brand name-- are they available at a store like Container Store? Or should I buy them online?

    I also like the ideas about ziplock bags, never considered that before. I just realized the gallon size ones would be great for storing prepared meals in the freezer, flat! The tupperware gets clunky in there with all the space it takes up.
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