How late in the day is too late to eat dinner? I have been trying to find a good balance between working out, working my job, and eating meals. Lately I have been working until nearly 8pm every night, then rushing home to get on the treadmill. Once I finally get home for the night it's bed time. My mom always told me it is bad to eat dinner after dark, but that seems to be the only time that fits into my schedule. I don't want to skip dinner, but I don't want to go to bed on a full stomach. The past week has definitely tested my strength to resist stopping at McDonalds. Fast food is so convenient and, well.....fast!! I have managed to eat healthy and get all of my workouts in this week, but I am not sure how much longer that will last. I often wonder how people juggle life and manage to stay fit and active. Hopefully I can figure this out and get back into a routine.
Who Wants to Get Active--Sara
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Trish18
(As I munch on pretzels at 11pm... 
just got home from a soccer game)
I like to make my own trail mix and keep a stash at my desk if I'm working late to have a healthy snack near when I start reaching for anything I can eat quickly.
Lucylocket
Are pretzels that healthy though? And isn't too much trail mix full of sugars? Just checking - I'm starting my own quest for fitness again. I am a horserider but have gotten lazy of late and have had a change of jobs, plus the weather has been stinking hot and humid over summer so am getting into a new routine of running around our block (2.7km). BUT am also trying to watch my food, and have thought trail mix and all that too high in carbs ...
Trish18
in response to: Lucylocket
I've always regarded pretzels as being a fairly healthy snack (especially compared with their snack food counterparts) but I am by no means an expert.
The trail mix I concoct is usually comprised mostly of pretzels and peanuts, with some dried berries thrown in there, and occasionally raisins as well. I've never really been a carb counter... but I would guess this makes for a decently healthy snack.
What kind of healthy stuff do you like to snack on?
Lucylocket
in response to: Trish18
Um, a 20-30gm bit of cheese (low fat - edam or similar), a couple of little packets of raisins, a hard boiled egg WHITE (take out the yoke), a small 85gm tin of tuna, a protein shake, a couple of slices of turkey (lean), a low carb protein bar, a carrot, a small banana ...
To me, pretzels are hard-out complex carbs, with sugars in them as well as the flours, and salt sprinkled all over (great for the cholesterol, etc). I LOVE pretzels, but because like trail mix they are in small quanities, it is also very dangerous to have a box or bag of them sitting there - addictive to just keep dipping. At least a finite tin of tuna is just that - finite. When its eaten there isn't anything more.
Peanuts have high quanities of fats in them, dried berries - sugars. Just IMHO.
Great question Sara...It is usually recommended by nutrition professionals to avoid eating after 6-7pm because that is when your body is shutting down for the day and when your metabolism is at its slowest. However, with a little planning I think you can work with this. After all, your diet needs to work with your lifestyle and if you work late, your body still needs fuel.
Try packing a healthy lunch and dinner so you can eat while you're working or at work. That way you will avoid being starving and and finding yourself reaching for unhealthy foods. A sandwich, pretzels, even soup will help keep you fueled to work late and for your late night walk. Then after the workout, eat a light snack like a yogurt and piece of fruit. Smaller, more frequent meals help keep your blood sugar stable throughout the day and decrease the risk of cravings.
As for juggling a fit life, it comes in time. You are making great changes and once you've stuck with them for a few months they become part of your new life. It helps to plan your meals ahead of time so you always have a good healthy option. Also, you can get in your walk in two sessions instead of one long one. Try it once this week if you can. Walk 20 minutes in the early part of the day and 20 minutes later. It could be as simple as delivering memo at work and taking a walk break around the office. Plus boosting your metabolism twice a day is a very effective means for weight loss. Remember, this is all about making small changes in your life that stick. if something isn't working, try it another way!
Keep it up!
Coach Jenny