Life in the real world...

OK folks, I've finally been able to get everything done that I am supposed to each day, Protein from food, Protein from drinks, Exercise, Suppliments, and Water. Problem is that my new schedule will in no way work in two weeks when I return to my job. I need your tips and experience. My daily schedule for work goes like this.      5:00 AM Wake up, shower, shave      6:00 AM Eat breakfast      6:30 AM Leave for work (Drive)      8:30 AM Arrive at work.     12:00 Noon Eat Lunch      6:30 PM Leave work      8:30 PM Arrive home and eat      9:00 PM Go to bed So how do I fit in my new WLS requirements so that I can still work? Thanks 

Oh wow well lets see you are gonna have to do protein and drink during your breakfast or on the ride to work as well as a snack if what Im reading means your on the road for 2 hours one way. You are going to have to have protein at lunch as well as a snack during the afternoon w/ shake and protein on the way home because getting home at 8:30 is kinda late to be eating very heavy but you could do a salad w/ more protein and all day your gonna do your fluids at work. and maybe during lunch walk on your break or get up earlier in the morning for some type of exercise. Im not sure just some idea's Im sure you will get better from others. But good luck. we are all here routing for you!!! 

Thanks Prissy, I appreciste your willingness to help. The ideas are good and I will use them.

Hi Michael, I sure would not want your commute! Are you tied to a desk or are you able to be a bit mobile? Walk to someones office instead of sending emails. Take stairs, park farther away.  How about this schedule?      5:00 AM Wake up, 15 minute walk or exercise bike      5:15  shower, shave            6:00 AM Eat breakfast--with protein in it      6:30 AM Leave for work (Drive) during your drive time--a protein shake      8:30 AM Arrive at work.       Water     12:00 Noon Eat Lunch--with protein in it. Maybe another short walk?              more water!      6:30 PM Leave work--again time for more protein!  How about a cheese stick or protein bar      Water or protein shake during your drive      8:30 PM Arrive home and eat--remember PROTEIN first!      9:00 PM Go to bed  I know you will make it work. Seeing you post this shows just how committed you are!

Okay Bo - a tight schedule - how about this?: My daily schedule for work goes like this.      5:00 AM Wake up, shower, shave - take supplements, make protein drink for car      6:00 AM Eat breakfast      6:30 AM Leave for work (Drive) 7.30pm drink protein drink      8:30 AM Arrive at work.      10,30am - drink protein drink     12:00 Noon Eat Lunch - go for a walk      3pm - have small snack as you are leaving a long time before eating next meal      6:30 PM Leave work     7pm - drink protein drink      8:30 PM Arrive home and eat    Try not to go to bed as soon as you eat - go for short walk to loosen up.      9:30 PM Go to bed I was going to suggest snacks but my guess is they don't want you snacking yet. also if you have a treadmill at home use it when you are have any spare time because you do need to exercise as well. Also while at work drink plenty of fluids. Just some suggestions.... Jackie

Okay I will throw my suggestions in too. Based on your info: 5:00 AM Wake up, shower, shave (throw in 10 or 15 minutes of exercise if you can)      6:00 AM Eat breakfast      6:30 AM Leave for work (drink 16 oz bottle of water during Drive, start ing at 7 in order to wait your 30 minutes.)      8:30 AM Arrive at work., drink protein shake, drink more water until 11:30)     12:00 Noon Eat Lunch (try to get in 10 to 15 minutes of exercise) (at 1:30 start drinking water again)      3:00 PM small snack (protein bar, nuts, cheese stick, beef jerky)      6:30 PM Leave work (another protein shake & more water, stop drinking by 8:00)      8:30 PM Arrive home and eat      9:00 PM Go to bed ( try to get in 10 to 15 minutes exercise, at this point you will just be finishing eating & will need to try and prolong bedtime til 9:30 or so) Some things to take into consideration, what are your surgeons rules regarding snacks, amount of time allowed between meals, when are you supposed to take your vitamins, time between dinner & bed. 

I am starting my third week of eight of pureed food. No talk of snacks yet.

Suggestions already given are great - I have a hard enough time figuring out my schedule! My suggestion is to take advantage of pre-packaged meals/snacks like 4-oz containers of NF cottage cheese, pre-packaged yogurt (instead of bulk containers), and LF string cheese.  These make it much easier to pack your day's food. And always take one more snack  and more water than you think you'll need, just in case Boy Scout! The string cheese has saved me many afternoons when I go from meetings at work to the gym then home - I can't manage foods requiring spoon/fork at these times and wouldn't be able to get in all my protein (or calories) without them. Plus you can get pre-packaged protein drinks such as SmartForme (dump a packet into 8 oz of water ), which are more convenient than buying bulk and transferring every day.  I also keep a couple emergency protein drink packets at work in case I forget my high protein powder (which I did one day) and Crystal Light On the Go to dump into my water bottle - a little treat from plain water.  You may falter a bit at first, but you'll get better at adjusting as you go.  Let us know how you do!

These are all great suggestions .. WOW .. I just want to remind you if you have not thought about this . Everyone should pack an emergency protein- water kit in their car . I was once stranded due to flash flood for 11 hours . All I Had was peanuts and bottled water . I really became ill .. as I was only 3 months out .. and my body was on a tight schedule .  Things you can put in this bag are :  Water  Protein Bars  Nectar ( Protein Packs ) Some flavors taste like juice  Peanuts or any canned Nuts  Some chewable vitamins  And if you are further out .. you can put in wheat crackers .  Tuna Packets I cannot begin to tell you how this comes in handy . One day I forgot my lunch .. and had back up ready to go in my car .  You will get this done .. It will all come together ..  Take care,  Tink

An emergency pack in the car?  What a great idea! I'm so impressed with how you've all rallied around our friend, here.  So which schedule you gonna pick from, Mike?  And what kind of work do you do?