Work vs. Health, please help!

[WanderlustGirl]

Hi there! I'm 19, 5'4, and weigh about 170 lbs. While I don't feel like I'm super overweight, I am uncomfortable with how I look and feel. My goal weight is at least 150 lbs, no less than that since I have a wide frame (family trait lol). I eat fairly well, and while I know I need to eat a bit healthier, my issue with that is I simply can't afford to buy most 'health' foods. Diet is not the issue I'm asking advice about, though. Generally, the lowest I've been able to get is 165 lbs, with about two weeks of daily or near daily exercise for about 1-1 1/2 hours a session. While this seems like it shouldn't really be a problem, my issue is that I work as a veterinary assistant and have 10-11 hour shifts 4 days a week, and every other Saturday. By the time I get home, I feel really tired and while I almost always plan to eat dinner, settle for and hour or so, and then exercise, I rarely do because I just feel completely unmotivated. This is frustrating to me because, as I said, I know that regular exercise would definitely help me reach my goal in a couple of months. does anyone have any advice for what I could do to get motivated? I know most people say that "If you really want it, you'll make it happen," and I do want it, but honestly after being on my feet all day my bed and Netflix are usually all I want when I get home.
Also, is hiking really good exercise? I try to go hiking with my dog after work at least once a week, and I was just wondering how long or hard I should go to really consider it exercise.
Thanks!

 

[NYStatey]

Hi! I saw this and thought I'd put in my 2 cents. I'm a student and also work full time in a pharmacy so I can relate to not *wanting* to work out after being on my feet for 10-11 hour shifts that are, to put it nicely, nuts.

What I found is that working out before work is what works for me. Once I pull the gates down and close for the night, I am tunnel vision to my bed. If I get out and ride 15mi on my bike a few hours before work, or hit the gym early, then my workout is done. An argument might be "well then I'll be tired for work!" but honestly, I notice no decrease in my energy at work, and actually see an increase in 'productivity' on some days. Don't knock it before you try it!

I also do a lot of hiking and find that the term hiking can be used really broadly. If you are hiking uphill (side of a mtn, ex) for 45 minutes it's much different than just walking in the woods for 45 minutes on a level loop. Any kind of movement is good, but it's effect will vary based on how strenuous.

Also, just as an aside, I know you mentioned not needing to eat better, but your eating habits contribute a lot to your weightloss. Counting calories may be something you should look at, so many people don't realize what or how much they eat before they quantify it. I always thought "This is salad, salad is healthy!" and one serving could have been upwards of 800 calories (over half my daily intake goal). This is mainly how I've achieved over 75lbs of weight loss.

Good luck