How to stay healthy when working 60+ hours a week?

[Anonymous]

I have taken a second nanny job for the summer and will be working over 60 hours a week, six days a week, in order to bank some money. Both jobs are with 18 to 24 month old charges. I would also like to lose 15 pounds by the fall so I will be dieting healthfully.

My only concern with dieting and working so much is that I might get sick. How do you nannies who put in the long hours stay healthy?

TIA

[Anonymous]

Never carry a sleep-debt for more than 48 hours and wash your hands, wash you hands, wash your hands (lathering for 30 seconds each time).

[Anonymous]

Balance protein, carbs and fat, don't shortchange yourself on any of the three. I avoid processed foods and don't worry about the calories, instead working towards a 40-40-20 balance.

[Anonymous]

try the whole30 diet!! I'm on my second round and nanny 24/7 and have so much energy!!

[Anonymous]

I do advocare and it works great. I'm also a 24 hour nanny.

[Anonymous]

I work 50-55 hour weeks regularly. I gained 20lbs last year and vowed to lose it as my New Years Resolution. I ate a lot of junk or would skip breakfast, which wasn't helping. I did a modified paleo-diet. I focused on raw whole foods and gave up junk food, soda, fried foods, etc.

To keep my goal - I had to eat a lot of small meals. My breakfast was a big healthy smoothie or oatmeal with berries, mid-morning snack was raw veggies or half an avocado, lunch was a big grilled chicken and veggie salad. Then I ate a pre-evening snack of grapefruit or some nuts. Dinner was stir fries or quinoa with grilled chicken. The biggest impact was drinking enough water. I bought a great water bottle and filled it up 2-4x a day. I was eating healthy fats and never felt hungry. I lost 20lbs in 6 weeks. I've stuck with this way of eating and sleep better, have more energy, and look healthier. You can do this, OP!

[Anonymous]

Trust me, working with children under two for sixty hours per week will make the lbs. shrink away faster than you can say "Diet...??!" Just kidding. Well sort of.

It will be challenging to aim your focus on yourself when you are so busy, but just try to make healthy eating a priority. Hopefully the families you work for will have plenty of fresh fruit, veggies, etc. around for you and their child to consume during the day. Also, instead of juice...Drink plenty of water.

While engaging with your charges, include plenty of outdoor time. Toss a ball, play tag, etc. Just make sure you move vs. sit around. And while in the sun, don't forget to rub a little of your charge's sunscreen on yourself as well!

Most important, get as much rest as possible. While your charges nap, hopefully you can take a power nap or at the very least, lay down and relax for a few minutes or so.

Try to manage your stress levels too. If you have any issues or concerns with your bosses, try to address them early on so they do not stress your body out.

Good luck. Here's to a healthy Summer '05!

[Anonymous]

*'15

[Anonymous]

OP here and THANK YOU everyone!

[Anonymous]

hey OP - I work 55 hours a week and I used to struggle with my weight as well because it was so easy to snack all day. I now allow myself only the foods I bring from home (smaller, non-processed meals throughout the day) and I have also found that doing a small workout during naptime makes a HUGE difference. I leave too early in the morning to work out then (there's no way I can wake up at 4AM every day) and know I'll be too tired when I get home at 7PM to squeeze in a workout. I do something like an hour of yoga or 30 minutes of circuit training without equipment. I just bring a change of clothes and my family has no problem with it. They know my hours so they encourage me to do whatever I need to do during naptime

[Anonymous]

Drink water, water and more water. It is great for your energy level and keeps you healthy because of two things: 1) you are less likely to pick up a bug/cold when you are hydrated and 2) it forces you to wash you hands a lot!