Elleacive

20-something here! ... trying to reign in my habits. ie cut weekend junk food and alcohol.

I too suffer from back pain but today I am MUCH improved from where I once was. I spent 2 years in physical therapy, had a pain med addiction, couldn't walk, couldn't carry anything= total nightmare. Had surgery on my worst areas (degenerative disk disease... had the 3 discs that were pretty much disintegrated taken out...…

I don't have any suggestions but I like your idea of reading nutrition books! I've been reading all about FOOD (I finally got my holy grail book set, Modern Cuisine, and have loved reading about the science behind cooking and not recipes) I might have to add in some nutrition books later!

I think your best bet is to eat before you leave and then to bring snacks (for me: carrots, peeled hard boiled eggs, sliced chicken, saltines, rice cakes (!!), sliced apples, TJ's spreadable brie bites) ... I would try to avoid eating a large meal at 1am.

Everyday... and I log it. Keeps me motivated.

Do you drink alcohol at all?

Is alcohol so bad if you log it and keep your calories within range? [pondering if I need to cut all alcohol from my diet]