So, first and foremost, my apologies for my sporadic posts the last few weeks.

I keep thinking of all of these things I want to post and topics to discuss, then get distracted with work (or school, or pets, or life), and the next thing I know, a week has passed! I guess that’s how the world works when you’re official an adult. (If you can’t tell, I’m still quasi-mourning the fact that I’m 30 now.)

As if things weren’t busy enough, starting Monday I face a new challenge: I start a second job.

Yes, on top of my 50 hour/week career, my graduate school classes in the evening, and my social life, I’m taking on an additional 20-25 hours per week.

YIPES.

Once the euphoria of getting the job wore off (it’s a pretty huge and, potentially, life-changing opportunity), the realization that my work day is now going to start at 3:30am and continue through 6pm, followed by 3-4 hours of school, really set in.

How am I going to do this?

While I think I’ve set up a strategy to survive each day and meet my work/school obligations, what happens to my social life? What happens to my health?

Looking over my calendar, a best case scenario would allow me to hit the gym 3-4 days per week — assuming, of course, I even have the energy to go.

And, even if I can make it to the gym these few days, what’s going to happen to my eating habits? Life is about to crank into overdrive, with just a few minutes to spare between commitments. Will I be able to maintain a healthy diet? Will I succumb to the allure of fast food, purely because it’s quick and easily accessible?

Yeah, I’m stressing.

My goal is to commit every Sunday evening to prepping healthy meals I can safely freeze/store to eat the whole week. I’m hoping that a few hours sacrificed from my little free time on Sundays will save me from pounds gained (and major stress) in the long run.

I know the siren call of pastries is going to be a daily temptation at the new job, as I’ve heard they cater breakfast almost every morning. Oh, boy. My hope is a speedy protein shake loaded with ground flax seed (fiber!) will give me strength.

I’m nervous for the road ahead, both for the professional obligations and the potential stress it may cause my personal life, my health/fitness, and my sanity. My hope is that through proactive preparation and a good attitude, I can make this work.

I start Monday. Wish me luck!

On that note, bon appetit my friends!

Tori