Maintaining anabolism on a hectic work schedule

[HardbodyLawyer]

Ive gotten to the point in my training, nutrition and supplementation where I know how to train, eat and supplement myself, but my lifestyle doesnt allow me to maximize my regimens. Working twelve, sometimes fourteen hours a day six, sometimes seven days a week hardly allows time for a proper diet, let alone heavy intense training and recuperation.

Sometimes I feel that Im barely getting by and maintaining, instead of growing and getting stronger and leaner. Even if I have three good workouts a week, waking up after just four hours sleep just feels like its cutting into my recuperation time.

So, even though I thought I had my shit together training wise, I have to start over and figure out how to stay anabolic on a scattered, sometimes unhealthy diet, a hectic and rushed workout schedule, and little sleep. If someone has had similar experience, and has found some ways to keep training and growing under these circumstances, it would be greatly appreciated if youd share your experience with me, thanks,
Anthony

 

[The Terminator]

Life. If you really want your fitness goals to move up on your priority list then you have to sacrifice other things to get them. Sounds like you may want to look closely at what is most important to you and possibly reprioritize...

 

[Stillgoing]

Hardbody,

I have a similar work schedule and a family. I have adapted the best I can using the following:

1- I put a full gym in my house
2- I train 2 days during the week, then both days on the weekends - I switch the days up during the week to accomodate work/travel schedule
3- I stock up on quick, portable protein sources - protein bars, protein powder, and tons of cans of canned chicken (from Sam's club - good and pretty cheap)
4- I eat 8 quick meals a day
5- When travelling, I eat out as much as possible, but, try not to eat much in the way of carbs, and I bring canned meat, protein powder and protein bars in my bag.

 

[easy]

What hardbody said is solid. I also have a family and work 16 hr days. I workout intense 3 times a week and have turned my garage into the neighborhood gym. I eat 6-7 quick meals and 4 come from cans. If you can stomache potted meat and tuna strait, its fast and cheap. I also slam protien shakes at work. My job is seditary so I try to get my cardio in before I go to bed when the kids are asleep. I feel your pain with the 4 hrs of sleep. This is where I loose the most. My only advice is to make what little sleep you get count. Make sure its undisturbed and I sometimes take a sleeping pill just to make sure I get good sleep. Try to get as much sleep as you can on your day off(ie..10+ hrs). Hope this helps. If it doesn't, at least you know your not alone.

easy

 

[TPH]

I work long hours and sometimes weekends as well. When everyone else is ordering pizza and calzones you have to keep your goals in mind. I bring food to work everyday. Tuna, chicken, eggwhites. I keep all my supplements at work. So If I am working late into the night I don't have to resort to pizza like the rest of the slackers - thats the easy way out.

As far as sleep, thats tough. I feel like I never get enough sleep, but I try to do the best I can.

My priorities are family, work and then the gym. It takes some discipline, but I rarely have to sacrificemy training for the other two, it just requires more effort.

Good luck!!

 

[HardbodLawyer]

Thanks guys. Ive decide that Im probably going to cut down to three workouts a week, heavy, intense, and quick, and preferably on the nights when I get the most sleep (usually friday and saturday...partying is out.) Thanks for the advice, particularly about the food. Regards,
Anthony