About to face some tough challenges

Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
About to face some tough challenges
8
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 1:35pm
Starting in May, I will be going back to school AND working full-time. Finding time to workout & also prepare foods will be a challenge. Any helpful hints from folks who have faced the same kind of challenge?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2005
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:41pm

Congratulations on your new job!


The best way to fit this WOE into a busy schedule is to PLAN AHEAD! Spend some time on weekends to cook and freeze foods. Make quiche cups and

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:43pm

Hi,
I recently started working and by this summer will be entering a medical residency(means no time!) so i can relate to your concerns. I have been trying to plan my meals ahead and cook on days when im not working. ive been keeping:
quiches,frittatas(for breakfast)

snacks:precut celery sticks,low fat cheese sticks, wasa crackers with hummus/cream cheese(i make a snadwich and take in a ziplock bag to work),yogurt.

lunch/dinner(prep veggies previously-wash and cut so theyre ready for use, frozen brocolli,frozen precut vegs for stirfry, couscous(cooks so fast).
and the one thing ive found most helpful is cooking 2-3 chicken breasts for wraps/sandwiches etc and storing it in the fridge. This way its super fast to make a wrap/paninni/sandwich to take to work with me...

im still figuring out the working out bit:)....


Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:51pm
Some good ideas. It will be a challenge though because for about the next 2 years, I will have maybe 2 weeks off in that ENTIRE span. I'll be working 7 days per week, plus school. In some ways, I'll be busier than some medical residents, mainly because I have to work so much to pay for school myself unless I can get scholarships.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2006
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 5:57pm

wow,that does sound really rough!!
i can tell you that whatever time you invest in taking care of your diet will pay off! u'll definately have more energy and better concentration. Its awesome that youre so motivated!! im sure 'll do great...

ill be sure to post some quick recipes soon...
GOOD LUCK!!


Avatar for travkitty
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-05-2003
Sun, 04-01-2007 - 6:06pm

That would be great, thank you.

Now, thankfully I'll be able to get federal loans again in about a year & a half. But I have to pay for school until then. Because I made only 12K right out of college the first time, I let my original student loans go into default. I'm wiser now, thank goodness, plus THIS education will actually be of some use financially in the future.

The good news is that I'm a boredom eater, so overeating will NOT be a problem during this time. Getting all my proper nutrition in will be, though.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 04-02-2007 - 6:52am

I would start eyeing the grocery store for lots or pre-made foods that will be easy to South Beach-ify. Pick up pre-cooked whole rotisserie roasted turkey breasts or chicken breasts, precooked chicken strips (Southwestern, Italian, etc.), premade salads/salad bar, soups. They cost a bit more but they'll definitely keep you sane.

If you can cook stuff in the crockpot, it will be a lifesaver. If you're not a morning person (like me...), just prep stuff the night before and keep it in the frig so all you have to do in the morning is literally plug it in and turn it on.

What an exciting time in your life -- I hope it goes by quickly so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor on the other end.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 12:25pm

The best advice I can give you is be organized. Buy the items you need to stay on track.

You can easily cook a meal in 30 min. No time to heat up the oven and bake a chix breast, then poach them in Fat Free, chix broth. It takes only about 15 min. I do these on Sunday and then slice them up to add on top of salads or to grab a piece for a snack.
Buy fresh fruit or buy canned fruit in it's own juices with NO SUGAR and portion out into small plastic containers to take with you.
A quick meal is ground turkey with onion, mushrooms, maybe a jar/can of diced tomatoes. Sautee up a pound of this and have for several quick meals that you can heat up in microwave.

I use Sunday to plan and cook meals so that I am good for the week.

Best wishes,
Linda

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2007
Tue, 04-03-2007 - 1:10pm

Everyone has given you great advice and I don't have much to add, except for workout-wise:

Can you use your lunchtime at work for activity? I joined a gym at my work and eat at my desk so that I can use my lunch-break for a quick workout. If you don't have a gym, can you walk/run/rollerblade etc outside for your activity? That way, you aren't exhausted when you get home at night and still needing to workout, nor getting up at 4am to workout!

I too buy pre-made salads, rotisserie chicken etc, to make things quick and easy. I also leave my cereal and almonds at work and some skim milk in the work fridge, so my breakfasts are already at work.

Best of luck with your new endeavours!!

t