Nutrition-Work Balance

A_Sober_Paddy

Firstly let me apologize for the long post,

So over the last year I've sorted my diet out in stages(reduced alcohol intake, into alcohol cut out), with a number of blips along the way(some weeks of eating junk food and takeouts etc)...

There have been some obstacles in this period, getting a job was the first, and getting training(Gym) work balance while eating properly...But 5 weeks ago I started a full time job, and holy fcuk its proving difficult ro keep my diet and training in line...

The reason I've started this thread is for advice on trying to getting the balance between work and nutrition right...

With the additional work, I've been finding myself getting bouts of tiredness, but then getting bursts of energy

Normally
Breakfast is either oats or eggs
Lunch eggs, protein bar, smoothies or leftover dinner from previous night
Dinner chicken/red meat/fish + veg

Snacks vary from nuts, seeds, yoghurt, chocolate or protein bars

Drink meanly green tea and water, but with work I've been drinking too much of that caffeine energy drink crap.

With regards to training, I'd like to lose about 5-6kg but to be honest i'm very much willing to put that goal on the back burner while I get myself sorted, I'd like to go to the gym 3 times a week, but at the moment its just getting the energy to get to he gym at times is just a monumental task...

Ideally I'm just looking for some advice from people who work full time and train, who may be able to help me out with hints and tips on preparation of meals and meal planning

P.S
How do you make oats more desirable to eat? Anyone got any good recipes for oats as a breakfast?

Sorry If I've rambled on too much:p

Stench Blossoms

I plan my weekly meals on the weekend. Have as much food as possible prepped so I have as little as possible to do when I come in from work. I use MFP and have them logged before I eat them (helps me stay on track).

I was 'out of work' for 3 months (had shingles) so coming back to work and gyming it was an absolute chore to get into. Couldn't face going to the gym as I was knackerd but I just snapped out of it. Forced myself to go and after a week or so I got back into the swing of it.

Sangre

In the long run I think you'll find working full-time better for you nutrition wise as everything can be planned in advance and there will be no changes to your routine 5 days a week which might throw you off.

El_Dangeroso

Sometimes lack of energy can just be as simple as not eating enough.

I know when I eat very unprocessed simple foods my appetite goes right down, sometimes too low. Once I tracked for a bit I discovered I was eating less than 1200 cals a day totally by accident!

I'm not a fan of deficits greater than 500 cals, I feel they deplete your energy quickly and put a stress on the body which will increase the need for sleep etc.

Make sure you are eating enough to fuel your workouts.

hardCopy

I find work is the best thing for keeping me on track. If I'm at my desk most of the day there's no shop nearby and no temptation. I know I have to bring lunch in so there's no opportunity for an impulse splurge on junk.

Weekends and holidays are much harder as the fridge is right there, taunting me all day :mad:

A_Sober_Paddy

hardCopy wrote: »

I find work is the best thing for keeping me on track. If I'm at my desk most of the day there's no shop nearby and no temptation. I know I have to bring lunch in so there's no opportunity for an impulse splurge on junk.

Weekends and holidays are much harder as the fridge is right there, taunting me all day :mad:

Cheers for the replays,

Work is hard because we sell protein bars, nuts and caffeine drinks:o

So I'm looking for better ways to eat oats and I'd like some help please...

Does anyone out there do anything with their oats that make them a bit more bearable, i just find myself at times choking them down.

I've mixed apple sauce though them and its lovely, but I'd like another option, preferable a more healthy option:p

What are ye're views on dried fruits, which ones offer the best nutrition?

biscuits22

A_Sober_Paddy wrote: »

Cheers for the replays,

Work is hard because we sell protein bars, nuts and caffeine drinks:o

So I'm looking for better ways to eat oats and I'd like some help please...

Does anyone out there do anything with their oats that make them a bit more bearable, i just find myself at times choking them down.

I've mixed apple sauce though them and its lovely, but I'd like another option, preferable a more healthy option:p

What are ye're views on dried fruits, which ones offer the best nutrition?

i throw in some blueberries and low fat yoghurt in the oats....nice enough

A_Sober_Paddy

biscuits22 wrote: »

i throw in some blueberries and low fat yoghurt in the oats....nice enough

Raw oats and yogurt? or Yogurt atop of cooked oats?