It can be very difficult when you are a working mother but you can do it! When you eat at a resturant try to eat fish or chicken. Try to get a baked potato instead of fries and go light on the salad dressing. I suggest asking them to put the dressing for your salad on the side and then you can put it on yourself. I think it's a good idea to have a lunch packed in case you are in the office or in the car and then if you end up at a resturant you can keep the lunch for the next day. Great job on exercising! Keep your focuse and you can do it!
PEDETIN 2/15/08 4:35 P
ITS REALLY HECTIC, BEING A MOTHER OF THREE, A WORKING MOTHER AND SOMETIMES A STUDENT, NOT FORGETING THAT I'M ALSO A WIFE TO SOMEBODY WHO PROBABLY NEEDED CARE AS MUCH AS THECHILDREN. THERE IS ALWAYS A TENDENCY TO FORGET YOURSELF. WHAT I DO MOST TIMES IS TO SHUT DOWN AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY I'VE GOT, NO MATTER HOW SHORT THE NAP COULD BE, IT GOES A LONG WAY TO RELAX THE BODY AND KEEP THE SYSTEM GOING.
MSNIQUE143 2/15/08 1:41 P
Walking helps. If you are going to a meeting in a different location or dropping the kids at school, park a little further away. I, too, understand the in the car eat and runs. It has been stated but bears repeating-healthy snack, a lot of times to me, water will give me a little boost.
KRAFTY73 2/15/08 10:27 A
Your schedule is alot more hectic then mine. I am sorry to hear about your dad. It sounds like you pretty much have the meals under control. Maybe for exercise instead of going in the morning you could take 1/2 hour at lunch and try to do something.
CASE4GRACE 2/14/08 10:18 P
I have a pretty hectic schedule too, taking my kids to and from school, working two jobs, running to meetings at various locations around town, and for the last month also caring for my dad who is recovering from prostate cancer and has been back in the hospital three times in the last 5 weeks (just went back in today, now with blood clots). I know for me, planning ahead is the only way I can eat properly. I try to always keep food on hand that I can eat quickly, in case I don't have time to cook (Lean Cuisines, SlimFast shakes, Boca burgers, canned soup, pre-cooked chicken breast, baby carrots, etc.) I keep a small stash of food at work, especially quick snacks that I can eat on the run in my car if I need to. Restaurants are usually my downfall...not because there aren't healthy choices available (there's usually always something on the menu that is at least semi-healthy) but because I love to eat out and usually don't want to eat healthy when I do.
My biggest problem is fitting in exercise...I envy the people who have time to go to the gym in the morning...okay, truthfully, I guess we all HAVE the time, I just can't stand the thought of getting up at 4 a.m. I already don't get enough sleep...that would do me in. Any suggestions?
SGREGORY 2/13/08 3:15 P
These are great suggestions.
KRAFTY73 2/13/08 1:33 P
Congrats on making it work! I am pretty much in the same situation but without the traveling. I get up at 4:00 to be at the gym at 5:00 come home wake the kiddies up for school. One thing that I have been doing to make things easier is cooking on Sundays. I usually cook a turkey chili or a homemade soup, and I will eat that for lunch. Sometimes I will even eat it for dinner if things are really crazy. The travel thing does make it alot harder to plan meals.
MIMBSS 2/12/08 5:23 P
I know exactly where you are coming from. It is very difficult to be all things to everyone at all times and still remember yourself.
Carrying a bag of healthy snacks is a great idea. For those days that you know you will be in the van...pack a PB&J on whole wheat, carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, nutri-grain bars, etc. And, don't forget plenty of bottled water. A few weeks ago, I had to travel to Charleston, SC to visit my son and his wife. I worried about eating on the run. The drive-thru is so convenient. At any rate, a packed a lunch, snacks, and my water. Needless to say, I felt better about what I was eating. I didn't get the stomach aches fast food brings. And, I made it to Charleston in record time.
I commend the AM work outs. I'm doing fine with the nutrition. I have to structure my time to get in the exercise I need (again.)
All the best
VALPO1997 2/12/08 5:02 P
Yep, know that role of too much and not enough time.
My suggestions would to bring things with you that are healthy that you can stash in your van or at the office. Throw a peice of fruit in your bag.
Set yourself up for success. The exercising before work is great!
Congratulations on the success and hope that it continues for you. Best of luck to you.
LIZABOOS 2/12/08 4:13 P
I'm a fulltime District Sales Manager, a wife, a mom, the list goes on.
It's really hard to find balance with my meals, considering that sometimes I'm eating at home with hubby and son, and sometimes I eat at my office; sometimes I eat in my van between appointments, sometimes in restaurants for meetings. It gets hectic, and it's very hard to plan.
I think I'm doing pretty well with it, considering I just started. I've been making a point to go to the YMCA every morning after I take my son to school. Then I shower and get ready for my day there. It works out pretty well.
I've been pretty amazed how well this new healthy lifestyle fits into the life I never dreamed it could. :) Anyone else finding that its easier than you expected it to be?
The toughest part is finding the right foods to eat, since I can't plan much. My job takes me from my office to my van to restaurants to homes, etc, and I never know where I'm going to end up eating.
Any ideas for a life whose meals that absolutely can NOT be planned?
Any suggestions?
