Hi - I have just returned to JSF after about a 4 year absence. I used John's advice to great success back then and dropped from 240 lbs to 200 over 5 months - life was simpiler then and diet and scheduled exercise was much easier.

That was then - I have come back because I failed to keep to the routine/good practices I had laid out and put my weight back on - and more!

I started gaining weight again when I was laid off and forced to take a full time night shift job (I now have a family to support and a mortgage - yippee!). In order to put myself into a better position for more stable employment, I enrolled as a mature student in University to get a degree. It is 4 years of hardship but our family will benefit when I am finished.

I work all night and go to school during the day and my sleep schedule varies depending on the number of classes scheduled that day. Last year, ( my freshman year - 34 years old! :lol:), I struggled with balancing everything and my health suffered. I have ballooned back to 250lbs (5'9) and feel 15 years older than I am.

Entering my second year in a few weeks, I have a better feel on what I am up against and want to incorporate a better diet/fitness plan to begin reversing my spiralling weight.

I could use some advice on meal planning when no two days in a row are the same, and at least once a week I am awake for 24 hours in a row.

I know my situation isn't ideal for the healthiest of lifestyles but it is only for 2.5 more years and then things will return to normal. I don't want to go to all the effort of getting an education only to collapse from a heart attack at graduation! :rolleyes:

My goal is to be back to a healthy sub 200 lbs by the time I turn 35 in Feb 08. Long term I want to maintain muscle mass and bottom out at 175 - 180 lbs.

Thanks -

Jon

Come up with 8-12 meals with about the right number of calories. Cook a bunch of meat and pre-pack it in the right portion sizes and freeze it. Have the other ingredients on hand: canned food, veggies, whatever. When you leave the house in the morning/evening, grab about the right number of meals. Maybe you can put your perishables in the first couple meals of the day, and your canned/dry foods in the later ones. Then just make a point of eating every 2-4 hours as your schedule permits. You should have breaks between classes, plus work should give you a break every 2 hrs. If you have an unplanned situation and end up stopping at Rotten Ronnie's or Waistline Wendy's, stick to sandwiches, salads, and coffee/iced tea. No fries, no coke, no ice cream.