Working out

[Shadow Conception]

So about a month before school started, I began running everyday. I started out at like a quarter mile and eventually stepped it up to 2 miles. By the time school started (Sep. 8), I was running 4 miles a day.

However, with the start of school, there is a slight problem. I am literally getting assigned around 6-7 hours of homework each night (much of the thanks goes to AP U.S.). I come home at 2:15pm, chill 'til about 4:00pm, and then get started on HW.

Now, as you can imagine, this leaves little time for running anymore. I find that I am now only able to run Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays (very rarely on weekdays). The rest of the week, I'm pretty much completely sedentary at home, aside from the mile roundtrip walking to and from the high school.

I also now must stay awake longer, therefore eating more calories. Over summer, I would wake up at 12pm and go to sleep at 2am (there are much worse schedules out there, believe me). I followed a really simple three meal schedule that was easy to adhere to: breakfast (400 calories), lunch (500 calories), and dinner (500 calories). Now, I must wake up at 6am and go to sleep at 11pm. As a result, I eat more. I eat breakfast cereal in the morning (400 calories), school lunch at 11am (800 calories), a filling snack when I come back from school (300 calories), and dinner (500 calories). So, we're looking at 1400 calories consumed (summer) versus 2000 calories consumed (now).

So, I have a few questions.

1) Running 4 miles only 3 days a week: is this going to help me at all? I went from 155 to 147 in a month running every single day. Now, it's being restricted to a measly 3 days a week, and I'm having doubts of whether or not it's worth it (especially with my increased calorie intake).

2) Obviously, school lunch isn't the best way to eat if I'm trying to lose weight. If I were to take home lunch in the effort to reduce my calorie intake during lunch, what could I take that would be both filling and not terribly shitty to eat? I can't take what I eat at home (rice + meat + veggies + lentils) because they'd get cold.

Long post, but if you can help me out, I'd be really grateful.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I am literally getting assigned around 6-7 hours of homework each night (much of the thanks goes to AP U.S.).

No you're not. Quit procrastinating and learn to work faster.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I come home at 2:15pm, chill 'til about 4:00pm, and then get started on HW.

I just found you a 1 hour and 45 minute window during which you can work out.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I followed a really simple three meal schedule that was easy to adhere to: breakfast (400 calories), lunch (500 calories), and dinner (500 calories).

Did you actually track this or are you just estimating? Because 1400 calories per day is pretty damn low, even if you are 150lbs.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
So, we're looking at 1400 calories consumed (summer) versus 2000 calories consumed (now).

So? Are you gaining weight? If not, why worry?

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
1) Running 4 miles only 3 days a week: is this going to help me at all? I went from 155 to 147 in a month running every single day. Now, it's being restricted to a measly 3 days a week, and I'm having doubts of whether or not it's worth it (especially with my increased calorie intake).

Some exercise is always better than no exercise. What are your goals?

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
2) Obviously, school lunch isn't the best way to eat if I'm trying to lose weight. If I were to take home lunch in the effort to reduce my calorie intake during lunch, what could I take that would be both filling and not terribly shitty to eat? I can't take what I eat at home (rice + meat + veggies + lentils) because they'd get cold.

Check out the fat loss sticky.

 

[mchammer187]

no way you are getting 6-7 hours of HW a night

I think we had a lot maybe 10-25 hours of work depending on the week but that still only manages to be about 2 hours

I also got a 4 or 5 on my exam I can't remember since it has been about 10 years ago

but US history was definitely one of the easier exams and classes since it is all pretty much memorization and throw in some writing/critical thinking for the essays but that is it.

 

[KingGheedora]

I agree w/ brikis. My junior year I took 4 AP classes, an honors class, and Academic Decathalon and did not have to do anywhere near 6-7 hours of homework and studying each night. I was also pretty active with lifting and pickup games of bball at local parks. I also had little to no social life at the time but that didn't bother me at all. You need some time management skills, and if you can develop them now it will benefit you in college and later in life.

You should be able to find time to workout. As brikis pointed out, you can workout right after school during the time that you "chill" right now. If you take normal PE where you can do whatever you want, run during that time. You can also take track or some other sport like bball or tennis without needing to join the team. If you do this you'll get a good amount of exercise built into your school schedule and you can dick off / study as much as you want during your personal time. If you have PE 1st period go to school early, in your gym clothes and run before 1st period. I satisfied most of my req's before senior year in HS, so I didn't have a 6th period my senior year. I stayed on campus to just hang out with friends, study, and even dropped by some friend's tennis classes and played tennis w/ them. If you can work your schedule similarly to this next semester do that and you'll have time to workout during school time.

How tall are you? You're eating a pretty low amount of calories, especially for someone who was running 4 miles a day. Are you sure you were consuming as many calories as you thought you were? Did you count EVERYTHING you ate? If so I don't think that's something you'll be able to sustain for an entire school year. Read the fat loss stick, start using fitday.com or another site to track your calories for a couple of weeks, and use that info to plan your diet and exercise depending on your goals.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Originally posted by: brikis98

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I am literally getting assigned around 6-7 hours of homework each night (much of the thanks goes to AP U.S.).

No you're not. Quit procrastinating and learn to work faster.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I come home at 2:15pm, chill 'til about 4:00pm, and then get started on HW.

I just found you a 1 hour and 45 minute window during which you can work out.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I followed a really simple three meal schedule that was easy to adhere to: breakfast (400 calories), lunch (500 calories), and dinner (500 calories).

Did you actually track this or are you just estimating? Because 1400 calories per day is pretty damn low, even if you are 150lbs.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
So, we're looking at 1400 calories consumed (summer) versus 2000 calories consumed (now).

So? Are you gaining weight? If not, why worry?

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
1) Running 4 miles only 3 days a week: is this going to help me at all? I went from 155 to 147 in a month running every single day. Now, it's being restricted to a measly 3 days a week, and I'm having doubts of whether or not it's worth it (especially with my increased calorie intake).

Some exercise is always better than no exercise. What are your goals?

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
2) Obviously, school lunch isn't the best way to eat if I'm trying to lose weight. If I were to take home lunch in the effort to reduce my calorie intake during lunch, what could I take that would be both filling and not terribly shitty to eat? I can't take what I eat at home (rice + meat + veggies + lentils) because they'd get cold.

Check out the fat loss sticky.

Everyday:
20th Century History is negligible.
AP U.S. History, we have to read a textbook chapter in 2 days. It's an even day class, but an everyday commitment. Evenly divided, that's around 3-4 hours a day reading that book, outlining the chapter, and studying for the quizzes.

Even days:
AP Stats, I get about an hour and a half of homework a night.
AP Physics C is about an hour of homework a night.

Odd days:
Precalc is also about 2 hours of homework a night (same teacher as AP Stats, guess she's just one of those teachers).
Principles of Engineering is negligible.
AP English, I get about an hour and a half of homework a night.

Entirely beside the point, but it's not unrealistic to get 7 hours of homework at my school, if you take the right (or wrong if you wanna be that guy) classes.

So anyway, now I'll respond to the more relevant aspects of your post. I have to stay at home until 3pm to wait for my little sister to get out of school. Additionally, I'm burnt out when I get home. Usually, I'm hungry (because of our early "lunches"), and just tired. It's a recovery period before I start doing homework.

I'm actually estimating those amounts. I know I eat around 300-400 calories (depends on how heavy my hand this that morning) for breakfast, because I measured out the amount of cereal and milk I take. There's no way I could really eat more because the bowl would overflow.

Lunch and dinner, I KNOW I have 1-1.5 cups of rice because I use a measuring cup to scoop out the rice. A cup of the rice we buy has 190 calories/cup. Then throw in a chicken drumstick or two (70 calories each) and veggies, and we have 400-500 calories.

I'm not sure if I'm gaining weight, but I'm pretty sure I am. I'm just remaining at home, doing absolutely nothing active, and eating to 2000 calories a day. I'm sure my BMR isn't 2000 calories a day (it's around 1700 according to an online calculator).

My ultimate goal is weight loss. I want to lose 2-3 pounds a month. The greatest difficulty in my new schedule is that I need to find time to do this, somehow.

This is really long and I probably sound like a dumbass, but still thanks for trying to help me.

Edit: And I'm 5' 4". Truth was, because I woke up so late, I'd eat less, and I never ate just for the heck of it. Traditionally, dinner's at 9pm for us. So I'd eat at 12pm, 4pm, and 9pm (going to work out at 7pm). It worked.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
Everyday:
20th Century History is negligible.
AP U.S. History, we have to read a textbook chapter in 2 days. It's an even day class, but an everyday commitment. Evenly divided, that's around 3-4 hours a day reading that book, outlining the chapter, and studying for the quizzes.

Even days:
AP Stats, I get about an hour and a half of homework a night.
AP Physics C is about an hour of homework a night.

Odd days:
Precalc is also about 2 hours of homework a night (same teacher as AP Stats, guess she's just one of those teachers).
Principles of Engineering is negligible.
AP English, I get about an hour and a half of homework a night.

Entirely beside the point, but it's not unrealistic to get 7 hours of homework at my school, if you take the right (or wrong if you wanna be that guy) classes.

You want some cheese to go with your whine? Seriously, I went to high school too, took multiple AP and HW classes the same year, and got 5's on all my exams. I know it may seem overwhelming, but if you can't manage your time in high school to get your homework done in < 7 hours, then you're in for a shock when you get to college. You'll have to figure out how to skim history books to only take in the important parts, how to bust through stats/physics/precalc homework, and how to write papers fast. Most importantly, you'll need to learn to not procrastinate, exaggerate, make excuses and bitch.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
So anyway, now I'll respond to the more relevant aspects of your post. I have to stay at home until 3pm to wait for my little sister to get out of school. Additionally, I'm burnt out when I get home. Usually, I'm hungry (because of our early "lunches"), and just tired. It's a recovery period before I start doing homework.

Exercise will give you energy. One hour is still more than enough time. Eat a snack at 2:15 when you get home, wait until 3 (when your sister gets home, the food is a bit more digested and you're a bit more rested) and then go exercise. Or do it before school. Or as a break from homework. Or after homework. Or as a PE class. Or figure out a way to not have to wait for your sister (your parents will understand your desire to exercise). Try to come up with solutions rather than excuses.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I'm actually estimating those amounts. I know I eat around 300-400 calories (depends on how heavy my hand this that morning) for breakfast, because I measured out the amount of cereal and milk I take. There's no way I could really eat more because the bowl would overflow.

Lunch and dinner, I KNOW I have 1-1.5 cups of rice because I use a measuring cup to scoop out the rice. A cup of the rice we buy has 190 calories/cup. Then throw in a chicken drumstick or two (70 calories each) and veggies, and we have 400-500 calories.

Don't estimate. You'll be very, very wrong. As indicated in the fat loss sticky, use a site like fitday.com to track your intake. When you add up all the snacks, sauces, dips, sodas, etc that you eat, you might be surprised at how quickly it adds up.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
I'm not sure if I'm gaining weight, but I'm pretty sure I am. I'm just remaining at home, doing absolutely nothing active, and eating to 2000 calories a day. I'm sure my BMR isn't 2000 calories a day (it's around 1700 according to an online calculator).

Find a scale. If you don't have one at home, there's most likely one at school, your local community center and dozens of other places. If you have to, dish out the $10 at walmart and buy one. Otherwise, you have no hope of getting a good estimate at your BMR and regulating your weight.

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception
My ultimate goal is weight loss. I want to lose 2-3 pounds a month. The greatest difficulty in my new schedule is that I need to find time to do this, somehow.

Weight loss is achieved through proper diet. See the fat loss sticky. Get that figured out and then worry about exercise.

 

[nageov3t]

AP U.S. History, we have to read a textbook chapter in 2 days. It's an even day class, but an everyday commitment. Evenly divided, that's around 3-4 hours a day reading that book, outlining the chapter, and studying for the quizzes.

pro-tip I learned in college: you can get an amazing amount of course-work reading done just by reading while in the bathroom.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I guess I'll hop on the bandwagon here. It seems that everybody else has a hold on the fitness part so I'm gonna go ahead and give you some tips from someone who used to have both time management and stress problems.

The first thing I did was prioritize. Hard things first, easy things last. I tackled them pretty well that way. In doing so, I got a feel of what information was important and what wasn't to answer questions, etc. Therefore, for things like history, I only skimmed. I never read the whole thing. Ever. Are you kidding me? I figured that out freshman year in high school that it wasn't practical or possible to read everything. Really though, skim the stuff. It takes a quarter or less of the time. If you have questions to answer, essays to write, or tests to study for, take the time to figure out what pertinent information you need and read that section in detail. Often times, test material is comprised of the stuff that is covered in both lecture and the book. Focus on that stuff.

To be perfectly honest, when I got to college, I even had trouble managing skimming. Everybody assigned at least a chapter of a college textbook a week. That's 4 classes, 20-30 pages each of textbook-sized pages. It was way too much. That's when I learned to take better notes IN CLASS. You gotta be there anyhow so why not make it worth the while? I also learned to skim more quickly and efficiently by looking at topics, first and last sentence of important paragraphs, etc. I cut my work time down by 10 hours because of that. Now that most of the classes I'm taking teach most of the material while in the classroom, I mostly read the information for personal knowledge and clarification.

I essentially want to tell you don't waste your time with info that isn't pertinent. That's what determines a good student. If a student can sift through an essay and grab the important points quickly, then you will do well in both college and on the SAT. Try it.

Oh, and the writing part is the easiest. If you challenge yourself with each essay prompt and think of 10 points for your argument and pick the 3 strongest, you will learn how to write better papers and more quickly. This is important in college as well. Most people think school is just trying to pack knowledge into you and it seems overwhelming. However, if you spent an hour a day for 2 weeks on how to decrease the amount of time you spend on homework, you'd get a great deal of time back. That's what school is teaching you - time management, persistence, and hopefully cleverness (if you're doing it right). Learn those and your education will become a lot easier.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: loki8481

AP U.S. History, we have to read a textbook chapter in 2 days. It's an even day class, but an everyday commitment. Evenly divided, that's around 3-4 hours a day reading that book, outlining the chapter, and studying for the quizzes.

pro-tip I learned in college: you can get an amazing amount of course-work reading done just by reading while in the bathroom.

Or during transportation. If your parents drive you or you take the bus, just read. I've completely cut out my reading time just by reading on the bus alone. It's quite helpful.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: loki8481

AP U.S. History, we have to read a textbook chapter in 2 days. It's an even day class, but an everyday commitment. Evenly divided, that's around 3-4 hours a day reading that book, outlining the chapter, and studying for the quizzes.

pro-tip I learned in college: you can get an amazing amount of course-work reading done just by reading while in the bathroom.

Or during transportation. If your parents drive you or you take the bus, just read. I've completely cut out my reading time just by reading on the bus alone. It's quite helpful.

socialization is also a good substitute for reading... in a lot of classes, I'd get to class early and hang out outside with the smokers bitching about whatever the assignment was. I'd take everything they said and spit it back out to the professor with my own spin if called on in class I've written multiple papers on "The Awakening" for two different courses and even corrected a professor on his analysis of it once.

to this day, I've never actually read it.

 

[StageLeft]

Working out and "not having enough time"

I come home at 2:15pm, chill 'til about 4:00pm [i.e. fvck around for almost two hours], and then get started on HW.

You don't need more time, you need more motivation. I read about two doctors who worked something like 70 hours/week and had brought their Ironman times down to the 10 hour range (that requires a lot of training). I knew a guy who worked full time, was in law school full time, and still worked out more than most.

I know it sucks to do things after work, but a workout can be something to look forward to in some cases. I remember in highschool when I was also doing very well I'd get dropped off at the gym every day, workout for about the amount of time you are chilling, then walk home and do my homework. You could also do some homework while waiting until 3 for sister.

 

[SlitheryDee]

You gotta want to do it man. Most people who claim to not have time for exercise actually do. They just don't prioritize exercise above certain other optional activities. That is to say, they don't want to exercise as much as they want to do something else. There's nothing wrong with that on the face of it. It's just the turning of "I'd rather do..." or "I always do..." into "I don't have any free time" that gets on my nerves. You have the time. If you had the motivation you would have no qualms about using that time for exercise.