HELP! Pastry Chef and College Student

[ThePastryChef]

First let me introduce myself. My name is Andrea, I'm 19 years old and I'm a pastry chef and college student (very bad combo..i know)

The trouble is, diet wise.. i cant stay away from carbs, although i do try, and it's very hard to eat properly when I dont have my own kitchen,(only a community one for 240 students), and money is limited. I took the incentive to cut out soda, and drinks...and most juices.. and sticking to water and crystal light. which isnt so bad. and im trying to eat more protein and vegetables (which is something that i havent seen since i've been home in new york)...

I go to school monday through friday 7a-1p and work 2p-11p ( the days vary). as you can see it doesnt leave me with much time to exercise... or join a gym.
i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions at all for me. My genetics are not so great. My figure...is that of a 19 year old right now, so I'm fine now, I do not want to lose weight or be a stick figure... or anything like that. I want to be healthy and completely toned... and down the road ... at 30... or 40...or 60 I want to have fitness in my routine, so its not so much of a struggle. My profession and genetics will not allow me to be a size 30 waist (i'm 5'10) forever. So I want to get started early.

I have a small gym in my dorm.. treadmills, weights, etc. Nothing fancy. Does anyone have any suggestions for a diet or workout plan?

[Emma-Leigh]

Welcome!!!

Don't worry - I am a carb freak too and there is no need to cut them out completely, you just have to eat the right types at the right times.

I understand that collage living is not ideal for being healthy, but there are always options. Does your hall have a salad bar? They will often have mixed legumes (beans, chick-peas etc) that you can add to the salad (well that is obvious ) and then grab some chicken or tuna if they have it...

Fresh fruit and lots of vegetables if they are available.

For breakfast then oatmeal (if that is an option), some eggs (do they have hard-boiled eggs?) and some fat-free skim milk or yoghurt would be good. Just take 4 or 5 hard boiled egss and eat one whole and just the whites of the others.

In terms of working out - I have a similar problem in that I have a VERY long day. It leaves me time between 6 am and 7.30am to workout... So that is what I do. I get up at 5.15am to go to the gym.

What time are you allowed access to the gym in your dorm? If you work efficiently then you can hit the gym from 6ish till 6.30am of a morning and still achieve your goals. It just takes dedication and planning.

What types of weights are there in the gym?

[ThePastryChef]

The gym is open from 10am to 10pm. I believe the free weight range from 1 to 100 lbs.

i have pictures of all the equipment that i took. only i dont know how to post them on here.

my school had a salad bar. and so does my job. i usually eat plain tuna, romaine, and if they have it chickpeas (undressed) and water.

breakfast, i have been good about, on the days when i dont have time to make breakfast i premake a bunch of pancakes (the multi grain oatmeal ones on this site) or if i do have time i make egg white omlettes with spinach and a little oatmeal (which i despise) with sugar free jam.

i have the soy protien shakes , which i drink when i remember...

lunch and dinner... i usually eat grilled chicken and veggies (which i either have premade or i get a salad at school and just order plain grilled chickien)

snacks...i always have baby carrots n my fridge... my thing lately is plain rice cakes with a little peanut butter. or i will snack on some special k cereal.

i find alot of people tell me to eat 6 meals a day. it isnt possible with my schedule.

i figure i have at least until january 20th before i start classes again so this is a learning period.

i just need to figure out the exercise part... the only way for me to exercise WOULD be in my room once i get home from work (at 12-1am) or before class(5:30-6:30am) because i only have a half hour between work and school.

[Gabrielle]

Originally Posted by ThePastryChef

The gym is open from 10am to 10pm. I believe the free weight range from 1 to 100 lbs.

i have pictures of all the equipment that i took. only i dont know how to post them on here.

my school had a salad bar. and so does my job. i usually eat plain tuna, romaine, and if they have it chickpeas (undressed) and water.

breakfast, i have been good about, on the days when i dont have time to make breakfast i premake a bunch of pancakes (the multi grain oatmeal ones on this site) or if i do have time i make egg white omlettes with spinach and a little oatmeal (which i despise) with sugar free jam.

i have the soy protien shakes , which i drink when i remember...

lunch and dinner... i usually eat grilled chicken and veggies (which i either have premade or i get a salad at school and just order plain grilled chickien)

snacks...i always have baby carrots n my fridge... my thing lately is plain rice cakes with a little peanut butter. or i will snack on some special k cereal.

i find alot of people tell me to eat 6 meals a day. it isnt possible with my schedule.

i figure i have at least until january 20th before i start classes again so this is a learning period.

i just need to figure out the exercise part... the only way for me to exercise WOULD be in my room once i get home from work (at 12-1am) or before class(5:30-6:30am) because i only have a half hour between work and school.

I went to pastry school as a hobby and I remember moving FAST and being on my feet for hours and hours~seemed like a lot of exercise right there.
Why don't you go to the gym in the morning and focus on doing a few compound lifts~squats, deadlifts, bench press and military presses~at a heavy weight for low volume. Do that 3x a week. Your diet seems good even if you arent eating 5-6 times a day. Hard boil some eggs to take with you, and swipe some apples, pears and berries at school before they get dumped into a pie!