Both my husband and I work long hours me (60 to 70 a wk) my husband about the same.  While he has a lot more excercise in his work, he's not over weight. I sit and make dog treats we cut out around 6000+ a day each treat is cut out by hand.  The only time I really get much exercise is when I am the "I got it" girl.  But with meetings and customers and orders,  About the only meal I realy get is a quick bit at a drive thur.  I have a lot of choices next to us a fudge and candy store or pizza or the deli across the street.  I do try to drink lots of water but I do put in some sugar free mix in it.  I hate to shop and cooking realy is not my thing, when I get home I am to tried to even think about looking at a oven again.  My employees are great but no help,   Are the dinners like healthy start  really good for you?  I hope so because I am going to buy some of those to eat at night.  Eating at 8:pm and going to bed at 9:pm and getting up at 4:am doesn't give a lady much time to do much.  Any thoughts would be welcomed.  Thank you,   Joyce & Puppy 

Hi Sirburtus,

You want to find a plan that fits your schedule or you will burn out very quickly. When you have long hours like this you need something quick and easy ready to go. You can cook food ahead of time and freeze it for the week. You can also use frozen meals with some added veggies. It's easy to get them with things like vegetable soup, frozen veggies, and pre-cut salads. There are lots of brands out there so experiment with them to see what you like.

How does this sound?

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

Hi there!  I can relate to the long work hours.  I work as a health care administrator and often have long days and a long commute home.  Who wants to spend time cooking at 8 PM or later when you're already exhausted?  I have been experimenting with some of the new products available for people just like us that you find in the frozen food aisles.  For veggies there are the Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers.  You pop them in the microwave bag and all for a few minutes and have the next best thing to fresh veggies, hot and ready to eat.  Particularly, since I need to work on adding more vegetables to my diet, this is helpful.  The precut lettuce mixes you find in the fresh produce section are great for quick salads.  For an occasional baked potato, the grocery stores now carry the prewashed and wrapped in plastic potatoes that all you have to do is put them in the microwave for a few minutes and you have a perfectly done baked potato. Tyson boneless, skinless chicken breasts are great for quick microwavable entrees. You just need to go the marinade aisle to find some of the fantastic options to make boring chicken taste fantastic.  If you can't tell, the microwave is my best friend!  I do purchase some of the Healthy Choice frozen meals and especially like the Cafe Steamers.  They are pretty good.  The variety of healthy version canned soups have really improved in the last couple years.  Of course, the fat and sodium are reduced, so it is an adjustment to the taste buds, but they are not bad!

I hope some of these ideas help.