Training within living constraints

[tweakxc03]

I just started a new job on Monday. It is an intense, 7am to 7pm job with a fast while-you-work lunch. At first, the pay is terrible and I am going to be quite broke for a while.

So, this leaves me with some rather confining parameters to fit into my training:

1. Eating enough. GOMAD is essentially out. Very difficult to eat a large lunch during the day. I can snack some, but not enough for a serious weight gaining program

2. Broke - I can't afford to increase my waistline and outgrow my pants/work clothes. Shit's expensive. So are groceries.

3. Rest - even though I am off at 7, that doesn't leave a lot of time to get home, eat dinner, go to the gym, and still get in more than 7 hours of sleep (at most) in a night.

I can probably get to the gym 3 days a week (mon, thurs, sat, for instance). I've done SS before and had great results with it but had to lay off for a couple of months.

It seems to me that doing an SS program without the proper rest and nutrition is a recipe for disaster. I am considering doing something like the Wichita Falls Football CrossFit workout, or something of that nature, but I don't know.

Thoughts?

[gzt]

Man, that's a crappy job. If I were you, I'd do something like SS for a short time - until it seems unsustainable - and then switch to something like 5/3/1 so the workouts can be done pretty quickly. You might want to increase the initial percentages a little because coming off a 3x5 routine will mean you're able to handle a little more volume on the movements. This isn't "optimal", but it'll keep you training in these suboptimal conditions, and that's the most important thing.

[highergr0und]

If you really want to train, just find a way. Do SS until you just can't do it any more then switch. I'm pretty new to it so I guess the workouts don't take too long, but with a very busy job and 3 month old at home I find myself either waking up and lifting around 4:30am or after 9:30pm when the kid goes down for the night. It sucks, and it may not be ideal, but I made the decision that I had to do something. I did cancel the gym membership and bought some stuff for the house off of craigslist to work out in the garage for about 3 months worth of dues.

[Regin Smidur]

I'd do 5/3/1 with the "I'm not doing jack shit" assistance template or just 1 assistance exercise. Im not doing jack shit takes about 20 minutes, you basically just get in, do the 3 sets of the main lift, and leave. And it works. Add an assistance exercise and your up to 30-40 minutes.

[eltonno]

How about doing SS advanced and train wed, fri, sun? Training Friday after work you won't be in a hurry going to sleep, since you probably can sleep longer on Saturday. On Sunday you also have more time for your workout because you don't have to work. Just a thought..

[Gottatri2lift]

You have to do the math. 168 hours in a week. subtract 60 hours for job, x hours for commuting, y hours for sleeping, z hours for .......... Then coordinate your workout with time you have left. Add powercleans into your warm up for the deadlift, SQ, DL, SQ instead of SQ,SQ,SQ. Obviously the program will not be as effective as it could be, but nothing ever is. On top of figuring out the hours you have available, what are your goals, how long are you going to have a shitty schedule, what other changes could be coming?

[ZKP]

You just have to get creative and really want to train. We make time for things we want. Get up earlier, etc. You'll adapt to the work load in time, and sooner than you think. Train on Fri morn, sunday morn and tuesday morn. Or Sat, Sun, Wed....(lower, upper, full) Or in the evening. Get up at 4 if you need too. This is about motivation, not if it's possible or not. Get a thermos and fill it with milk. Instead of coffee or coke all day, drink that. You have breaks? Lunch? eat then. Egg's are the cheap and so is tobasco. Keep the training short and intense. Sleep will come on it's own, don't worry. You have all you need to succeed at this. Good Luck!

And one more thing. As far as being broke goes...... have a kid and get married. You'll never see more than a few dollars at a time for the rest of your life. Particularly if you're being smart about it (saving). If this is already your case then work on acceptance. You can afford a pair of pants every 6 weeks or so. T shirts are cheap. Christmas is coming up. Believe it's possible and you can get it done. Z