Trying to eat every 3 hours - JP Fitness Forums

RacerBill · 02-07-2007, 07:57 PM

I've been working a different job since November. While I like my new group, and it's a significant pay raise, I'm having a bit of trouble adapting. At my old job, I worked independently and so sticking to an eating schedule wasn't a big problem.

Now I'm in a much more chaotic environment. I'm part of a five-member team that must stay in close communication, so we often have impromptu meetings. Frequently I hear, "Hey, Bill, can you come look over my shoulder before I send off this email" or "I want another person to sit in on this call" so I'm never quite sure what I'll be doing ten minutes from now.
The lack of routine doesn't bother me at all, but I've been getting a bit frustrated because sometimes I'll end up far away from my desk for extended periods, missing snack time, often by an hour or more. There have been a few days where I end up going 4-5 hours without eating at all.

Anyone have any experience with this kind of situation? Any strategies for getting in some food every three hours?

Kevin T. · 02-07-2007, 08:08 PM

Each morning I fill up a bag of trail mix and then eat a handful in between classes. It ends up that I'm eating a handful just about every hour, as classes are 50 minutes long with 5 minutes in between. Something small that you could carry with you and then just munch on for a while would be ideal. Trail mix, nuts, cheese stix, etc. Small stuff to snack on until you can find time for a "bigger" meal.

Cynic · 02-07-2007, 08:21 PM

I eat a lot of beef jerky and nuts, portable fruit such as apples, etc.

ParanoidAndroid · 02-07-2007, 08:37 PM

Worse comes to worse, ask to be excused and get some food down quick. It takes about 1 minute to eat 2 cheese sticks.

galya · 02-07-2007, 09:46 PM

What about making shakes and drinking from a cup where no one can see what you're drinking.They'll think it's coffee and you'll get your food in.

Terry Monk · 02-07-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galya

What about making shakes and drinking from a cup where no one can see what you're drinking.They'll think it's coffee and you'll get your food in.

Ooooo. That's a good idea. Take your coffee cup along for the ride and have a shake in it. Nice.

RobLL · 02-07-2007, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gymrat

Ooooo. That's a good idea. Take your coffee cup along for the ride and have a shake in it. Nice.

In our organization we had a lady friend who brought her own special iced tea. She was also the one who gave the old ladies rides. We were a faith organization - we had a lot of faith. No longer socially acceptable

Racer Bill - jerky, trail mix, dried fruit - in one cup Ziplock bags. You should be able to keep a couple hundred calories without attracting any attention.

gobbla · 02-08-2007, 04:30 AM

I do the shakes. Make a big one for the day, stick it in a cup you can't see through and drink it while I'm at work. No biggie.

McCarley · 02-08-2007, 09:37 AM

I work in construction (private company, not those guys you see standing around) and most of the time, I can't just stop to eat. I eat about every 3 hrs., my partner doesn't eat at all throughout the whole day. Every morning I make a few sandwhiches, throw in some fruit and take it with me. I can usually tell when it's close to eating time and if I see that I have a few minutes I wolf down a sandwhich. Sometimes it's 30min early, sometimes it's 15min late. Take advantage of the few free minutes you get to make sure you get some food in you.

RacerBill · 02-08-2007, 08:12 PM

Thanks for the ideas, everyone. The shakes sound like a great way to go -- after I finish my coffee in the morning (the little mug), I have my big water mug that goes everywhere with me. If I fill it with something different my coworkers probably won't even notice. Cool!

Matthew · 02-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Is it unacceptable there to eat while working? Some offices don't like employees eating unless it's their lunch break, but others don't mind what you do as long as you get your work done. Just tell them that from 1:00 to 1:15 you'll be sitting at your desk eating a sandwhich and writing (work-related) emails, for example, and if they need you at their desk for a moment they can wait until 1:15 or they should try to get to you earlier.

Defiant1 · 02-09-2007, 10:56 AM

I couldn't see how you could get written up, so to speak, over drinking protein shakes at work. I would buy a few shaker bottles, mix up some shakes, and pack them in a lil' carrying cooler. If anyone says anything to you about it, all you have to do is explain that you are trying to lose fat, live healthy, get fit, etc. If they have a problem with that, then I would imagine that you could probably use discrimination as leverage, especially if your work does allow people to eat & drink at their desks and has vending machines on site. How is it wrong to drink a premade protein shake at your desk when a guy at the next desk is chowing down on the twinkie he just bought out of their vending machine.

emartin10 · 02-09-2007, 03:29 PM

I work as a Bellman - so it's not often that I can run into the back and grab food. I do have a shake back there that I can grab a swig of all the time. The other little secret I use is to make a normal turkey sandwich, and then just cut it into fourths or eighths, bite size pieces. I can usually get a sandwich down in an hour or so if it's really easy to just grab a piece of.

E

RacerBill · 02-09-2007, 10:14 PM

I'm not really all that worried about getting in trouble at work. I just think it's a little rude to pull food out of your pocket and eat it when you're at someone else's desk. In my area, eating at your desk is ok; liquids need to be in a covered container.

It's been frustrating because I'll pack a snack (usually a small spinach salad with chicken) but then it often sits in my desk if I get called away for an extended period of time.

We're supposed to relocate by the end of March, but we don't know where we'll be yet. I'm hoping it won't be in the executive building, where I'd have to wear a suit every day and eating at your desk is absolutely forbidden. With any luck we'll be in a casual dress area.

BamaDave · 02-17-2007, 10:04 AM

To be perfectly honest, I've never really done the 3 hour thing. On some days, I do have a snack between breakfast and lunch (usually light - fruit or carrot snicks or some nuts) and/or before I head home. I do think it's ideal but not essential, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.