Heyyyy party people! First of all, thank you all so much for your wonderful “happy birthday” and “good luck at the new job” tweets, emails, messages, and comments. You’re all doing a pretty darn fantastic job of making me feel loved. Hugs to all of you!!
So YES…this morning was the first “official” day at the new job, bright and early at 5:00am. Until I start to build up a regular client base, my schedule is going to be sort of all over the place; some early mornings, some evenings, some split shifts. Yeah, lots goin’ on for sure! But honestly, I think the one shift that’s going to throw me off the most is this Monday one…
My shift is from 5-10am, which means that I don’t really have time to sit down for my most favorite meal of the day (the HORRORS!). Since I didn’t really know what to expect today, I just packed up a few quick, portable snacks that I could eat throughout the morning, and spaced them all out the best I could…
I also had about 15 almonds that didn’t make a photo right after I got off work. I missed being able to sit for an actual breakfast, but the continual snacking helped ward off any hunger. But you know the other thing that’s throwing me off?
When do I drink my coffee?!?!?!
5:00am is too soon for coffee (for me, at least), and I can’t really drink it while I’m there, so I’m not exactly sure that’s gonna go down with that. I suppose maybe I could make Mondays coffee free?
OR…I could just stop on my way home for a special birthday coffee like I did today.
I think I like the latter idea better. What do ya think?
But really…does anyone else have any sort of schedule like this where they have to finagle their breakfast and/or coffee consumption? I’d love to hear any other suggestions or insights you all might have!
*****
Workout
When I got home, honestly all I wanted to do was nap. I slept sort of crappy last night (I’m blaming it on job and birthday excitement) and was feeling pretty tired, but I know that naps usually make me more groggy. So what did I do?
I got my sweat on! Today’s workout of choice was my High Intensity Circuit Workout. It’s been a few weeks since I last did this one and WHEW…am I gonna be feeling it tomorrow. At the end of my circuit, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could beat my personal plank record and guess what…I did! A 2 minute plank, baby!
*****
Lunch
By the time I was finished up with my workout, I was starving. I had a couple handfuls of Peanut Butter Cheerios before getting started, but I was definitely in need of something much more substantial. Since I already know that tonight’s dinner probably won’t be the healthiest of meals, I decided to do what I could with lunch.
I made a big salad, full of romaine, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, red onion, roasted cauliflower, avocado, and leftover chicken from last night’s dinner…all topped with some balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
This salad tasted absolutely incredible. I don’t know whether it was because I was starving or what, but it totally hit the spot.
Tonight, I have a fun birthday dinner planned with my family and a few friends. I’ve celebrated my birthday here before and I’ve also celebrated friends’ birthdays here before, too. One thing’s for sure though…I better go thirsty! Hehe. some of the locals may have an idea where I’m headed.
Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction says
Happy Birthday!!!!! WOoohooo! Have fun and good luck with the job! Do you already have clients? How does that work? Did the gym refer some people to you or did you find them yourself? I’m intrigued, please do share if you can :)
Courtney says
I have one client so far. It kind of works both ways…the gym will give me some and then I’ll also need to work on getting some myself. :)
Pamela says
I can’t go without my coffee! When I have to wake up early, I brew a cup and put it in a travel tumbler, which I take with me around the house as I’m getting ready. I just bring it in the car with me if I didn’t have time to finish it! In the past, I would sometimes bring iced coffee to work with me and keep it in the fridge until I was ready to drink it! :)
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) says
Happy birthday! I like the idea of special birthday coffees on the way home from work, except I guess on other Mondays, you’d have to call them special MOnday coffees! :)
Laurel says
Happy Birthday!
Tiffany says
Happy birthday!! I would usually just have a piece if fruit in the early morning and have a real breakfast when I get back!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
That is a strange schedule, but at least you have the rest of your day to do as you choose! I would probably eat a snack before work, and have my breakfast and coffee afterwards…then just eat a late lunch. It would be a difficult schedule to get used to- breakfast is my favorite meal!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
do you have any breaks while on the job? i was thinking you could go grab a coffee then… or if i’m in a rush in the morning, i’ll pack my coffee to go so that i can drink it on the way to work. it’s honestly never too early for coffee for me – haha. that is a tough one though! hope your first day on the job went well! ;)
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
I have to eat in the morning no matter how early – I’d just do something light, have a “real” meal planned, and have the snacks if the meal doesn’t pan out.
Happy birthday celebrating! :)
Care @healthiergirl says
Hmmm… I definitely have a challenge with breakfast too. It has gotten worse over the years as I am tied to a train schedule. I try to do exactly what you did -> a bunch of snacks. I’ve done everything from string cheese, to bananas, to english muffins or bagels, to crackers, almonds, dry cereal (i.e. Fiber One) in a bag, etc. It definitely isn’t easy!
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life says
Congrats on your plank!! The longest I have ever held one is for a minute, so maybe increasing the time held would be a good goal to work toward.. I don’t have too crazy of a schedule but sometimes at work meetings can get in the way of lunch or snacks, I just usually do the same thing as you and spread my meal throughout the time before and after.
Mollie says
Happy Birthday!!!! Everyone in my family makes fun of me because I count down my birthday like MONTHS in advance….hey, it’s our one special day, gotta make the most of it, right?!
I was wondering if you could give more info on the circuit workout you did-when I clicked on the link to get more info, the most on men’s health magazine doesn’t show the workout anymore =/. I just wanted clarification on how to do some of the moves and to double check that you do 3 rounds of the exercises total? I love your workout ideas and use a lot of them-if you can show more circuits that work full body like this that you can do in the home and kick your booty I’d love love that!!! Thanks =)
Courtney says
Hmmm, really? That’s strange…I wonder why it doesn’t show up?
Yes, I do 3 rounds of the exercises. Work from top to bottom, then repeat top to bottom 2x.
Heather says
happy margarita day! ;)
Lynn says
haha… *GIANT* yummy margarita day!! Happy day to YOU!
Courtney says
Hahaha, you two were totally right! :)
WineDineDivas says
Wishing you a very Happy & Delicious Birthday!!!
CHeers :)
J & C
Jessica @ BEBT says
Someone might have already suggested it, but what about making yourself a protein smoothie as you head out the door? That’s what I do after my morning workout, and it keeps me full for another hour our two while I travel to and get settled in at work, until I can eat something again.
Corinne says
Happy birthday and congrats on the new job! That salad looks awesome – I bring my coffee in a to-go cup, saves money. Breakfast is at my desk – do you have 10 mins to eat Chobani with trail mix? To hold u overtil 10?
Melissa says
Happy Birthday, Honey! Glad you’re having a great day! I would totally be toting my coffee at the gym, but I’m guessing that’s not the most professional. ;) What do your fellow trainers do???
Courtney says
They’re mostly water and/or protein drinkers…
janae@hungryrunnergirl says
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I hope you are having the best day ever and I am so excited for your new job!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That salad is making me hungry!! Perfect birthday lunch! Sadly, I have no advice to offer for the weird coffee/eating times. It’s never too early for coffee in my book ;)
dee says
Yay! I’ve been reading long enough to know that you have a biiiiig ol’ cup of happy juice with your name on it tonight! ;) what a great way to top off birthday week! I have always loved the idea of birthday week, but since I’m not the type to openly announce that I want to celebrate my birthday week, I have yet to experience the fun! But mine is right around valentines day AND my and my boyfriends anniversary, so I guess I should cut him some slack :) have a great time celebrating! I’m excited for you!
Courtney says
This was definitely one of my favorite comments, Dee! Haha, you know me all too well ;)
Kim @ The Family Practice says
That salad looks delish! I have a crazy schedule like that – super early some mornings and different each day. I make tea to sip on my drive into work. I agree, 5am is a little too early for coffee but I like to have the warmth and comfort of something… so its tea. Then I take a coffee break around 8 or 9. I don’t know if you get a break like that at the gym…
Otherwise, coffee at ten sounds like a decent game plan!
Its funny how much effort we put into these habits huh? :)
Emily says
I think there is probably a large glass boot full of beer in your future tonight :) hope you have a wonderful birthday and I’m excited to see you Friday!!
Jillian @ Sprinkle Massacre says
Happy Birthday!!
I always see trainers at my gym carrying around coffee…but I’m not sure how I feel about it! I’d probably stop on the way home so I can enjoy my coffee when work is over. Afterall, 10AM is still early enough that it shouldn’t keep you up at night! :)
Courtney says
Yeah, I know what you mean. I could bring it and drink it there, I just don’t know how I feel about it…
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
Happy birthday, Courtney!!
Also, congrats on the first day. You’re going to do great, I know it :)
As for suggestions – whenever I have clients during my usual breakfast time, I’ll make a smoothie and bring it along in an insulated cuup. Or, if it’s just putting me an hour past my usual breakfast time, then I’ll drink a BCAA drink to ward off hunger.
As for coffee, I make it as early as I have to, and then bring it to the gym with me.
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
For me, I don’t care how early it is, I drink coffee right when I wake up. I would not be able to go 5 hours on no coffee! I would totally drink it at 4am if that is when I had to wake up. Hope you figure it out soon. Have an awesome birthday dinner!!
Talia @ Bite Size Wellness says
First of all…happy, happy day of birth! I hope your night out is fab!
My husband is a PT and works all sorts of crazy hours like you are going to have. It is weird right now (as it was for him), but it just becomes habit. You’ll get used to all of it! I loved your grab-and-go breakfast plan though.
Olivia says
Are you sure you can’t drink it at work? I’ve seen trainers at my gyms with travel coffee mugs while working, it’s just like reusable water bottles I thought! Hopefully you can find a way to wake up at such an early time! (I could NEVER do that, unless leaving early for a flight or something!)
Courtney says
Oh no, I *can* drink at work, but I just don’t know if I want to…
Kim @ Eat, Live, and Blog says
Happy birthday!! I hope you have a wonderful time.
I usually drink my coffee right when I wake up or else I’m pretty tired and can’t function for the rest of the morning. Your lunch look delicious! :)
Erika says
When I have that problem I bring iced coffee (brewed the night before) with me and add ice once I get to where I need to be. Worth a try!
Lena @Fit on the Rocks says
Wow your Monday schedule sounds so rough. I don’t know what I would do either, but at least you get plenty of chances to snack here and there. I’m a madwoman without food in the morning.
Krista says
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Megan says
hey! Happy birthday!!!:) my schedule is sometimes scattered after balancing three jobs. On extra busy mornings I will pack a protein filled smoothie that I can sip in the car or when I can at work. Also, I always need my coffee or tea… I got an amazing “thermos” brand travel mug that keeps my beverages hot for an entire day…so I can have a warm swig whenever i please :)
Aleksandra @ Diary of a Liveaboard says
So I have the opposite problem… I work as a newspaper copy editor and so I work at night 90% of the time. (Not overnight, like 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.) And to be honest, I just eat like I would on a “normal” day but with the time changed. I have breakfast around noon, lunch around 3 or 4 (with a workout in between) and then dinner between 8 and 10. And of course snacks. I’d honestly try to go with that. Have breakfast at 5 a.m. and have coffee then, too. You’ll get used to it!
Stephanie @ StephSnacks says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! …I remember when I was in college, my eating schedule was kind of spread all over the place. With the coffee, it may be nice to have half a cup at 5:00 am. Even though it’s rather early, it will probably get your mind and body going. You can have the other half in-between clients :)
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
First of all, Happy Birthday, and welcome to the 28 club. ;) I’m a proud member myself right now!
For me, I don’t have a problem drinking coffee first thing. Or I’ll make it and bring it with me in the car. Hope you can get your eating/drinking schedule figured out soon! :)
Jenn says
HaPpY bIrThDaY!
I have a 4:30 a.m. wake up call and get my running done in the morning (marathon training as its finest). I find one cup of coffee before and one around 10 am at work help. Breakfast is always at my desk at 8:00 a.m. so the weekends consist of nice sit down brunches!
Congrats on the new job : )
Jodi says
happy BIRTHDAY!
If I have an early wake up call, I tend to not want coffee that early and drink it on my way home or at home. For me, coffee is “my time” and i don’t like to chug it, so I pick to drink it later on…
I found the Peanut Butter cheerios AND Dulce de Leche flavor, but they are $4.39!! booooo! The other types were only $2.99. Must find coupons ASAP!
Courtney says
Really?!? They’ve been on sale at our local Walmart and Target for only $2.50!
Mallory @ Have Your Cake and Eat it says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! hope you have a blast tonight!
honestly, if i had to be somewhere by 5am i would NEED coffee that early haha. maybe if you get a short break you could run out and grab some quickly?
Michelle (Better with Berries) says
5-10 am?? Wow! That’s early :-) I usually just eat my breakfast in the car, but I’m also sitting in traffic so that’s how it works for me. 5am is probably too early to eat a full breakfast! Lots of snacks like you did seems like a good idea!
Have a wonderful birthday dinner!
Mac says
I usually work the 5-11 shift in the morning at my gym as well… I don’t so much mind the shift time (ok, I do, but I’ve gotten used to it), but I hate that it makes me hungrier than normal… I eat way more on days I work at 5am than others. I usually have a small breakfast at home (PB & J toast or yogurt), pour some coffee in a mug to drink on my way to work and in the early part of my shift, and then take something like overnight oats or something with a little more substance for my second breakfast around 8:30am. It is kind of a hassle, but you learn to make do with the situation :) Good luck with the early shift!
Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
HAPPY Birthday!!!
Ashlyn says
Oh gosh, that is a dilemma! It’s kind of sad how thrown off I get if I don’t have coffee right away in the morning. Happy Birthday by the way!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] says
120sec plank — nice job, birthday girl!! hope you had a wonderful day =]
Khushboo says
What about an iced coffee? I’m sure you can drink that during work…just pass it off as a protein shake ;)!
Courtney says
BRRRRRRR!!!! ;)
michelle kim says
Oh, man! That coffee dilemma is a tough one. I would probably wake up an extra 15 minutes early just to have some (but that would mean going to bed around 8:30 or 9 to get up super early).
That’s awesome that you got in a workout and had that incredible salad instead of taking a nap. Hope your first day is/was great!
Meredith @ DareYouTo says
Happy birthday, Courtney! Sounds like the first day of work went pretty well, and you’ll work out the kinks in your breakfast and coffee routine. I think you you were smart to bring those portable foods to eat throughout. I’d have trouble sitting down to breakfast before 5am, too. As a non-coffee drinker, I vote for making Monday coffee-free, but I understand the need for the pick-me-up on the way home from five hours at work.
Let us know how you adjust to the schedule! Can’t wait to hear more. +that salad DOES look pretty incredible. Hope dinner was deliiiicious and fun!
Brittany V says
Happy Happy Birthday!! (and happy giant Margarita day! Unless you go with the giant boot or the fishbowl!) – and happy first day of work – your adventure begins :) I would bring my coffee with me in a travel mug … i can’t function without it!
Heather says
When I had to be at work early I would eat int he car on the way, usually a green monster, protien bar, fruit, something I could eat easily while driving. good luck!
Angela says
Hope you had a great birthday! A lot of the trainers at my gym are drinking coffee while training. I think it’s typically between stations.
Katie@RunBakeFun says
Happy Happy belated Birthday!!! Hope you had a wonderful day :D
alex says
I’m snacking on peanut butter Cheerios right now! Just bought my second box!! :)