Holy Schedule Change

on May 11, 2009

Today was the first day of my new schedule! And it’s going to be a DOOZY!

I’m picking up a part-time job on Mondays – Thursdays from 6 PM to 10 PM and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 3 PM. I’m working as a receptionist/office manager for a local holistic clinic (some of my hours will be spent doing management activities after the clinic is closed). Basically, I’m working 67 hours a week now between my normal job + this new gig.

I’m doing this for the money (obviously), and yes… it’s going to suck. But, a girl does what she has to do to pay the bills, ya’ll!

My afternoon snacks include some fruit snacks from England:

And rice cakes with PB….

And a Green Monster (1 sliced banana, 2 cups Kale, 1 cup almond breeze, and flax):

Right before I left for my new job, I slammed another small bowl of Optimum Slim.

I wasn’t sure what my eating situation at the new job would be like, so I packed something that I could eat quickly… which was a good move because I will have no real break for dinner now. 🙁

A PB open-face sammie (there are a lot of food repeats today because we are low on groceries) and carrots. I didn’t pack a whole sandwich because I was nervous and knew I wouldn’t be able to eat much…. I was right.

Now, I’m drinking a glass of milk and calling it a day.

Oh, and of course, I need to revise my Metric Century/Triathlon Training Schedule because working on Monday through Thursday might be a little hard (I thought I was only going to work Tuesday and Thursday nights when I prepared the plan). I basically need to become a weekend warrior! Grrr!! :) I might try to squeeze in some AM workouts, but as we all know, sleep is more important than exercise!

What’s the maximum number of jobs you’ve worked at one time? Honestly, I know my new schedule sounds bad, but for a few months in college, I worked 4 part-time jobs while taking 12 credits…. so I know I can handle this!

{ 42 comments }

*Andrea* May 11, 2009, 7:32 pm
4 jobs and college is impressive! i have one campus job and i have a hard time doing that! good luck with your new schedule.. i know you can rock it 😉 i will be working 2 jobs/internships this summer to roll in some dough too! this economy sucksss grr
Hi! I'm Erin May 11, 2009, 7:37 pm
Phew! That is one crazy schedule. I sincerely wish you the best of luck keeping up with your work outs. It’s tough!

When I was in graduate school I worked 4 days a week from 8AM-4:30PM and then waited tables in the evening. I only went to class one day a week though, but it made it hard to find time to do homework and hit the library. I pretty much gave up on working out until I quit waitressing.
healthyontherun May 11, 2009, 7:39 pm
Good luck with those crazy hours! If this makes you feel any better, I’m going to be working 90-100 hours a week this summer!! From 8am-12 or 1am six days a week 🙁 I just keep telling myself to think of how much stronger this job is going to make me mentally.. if you can get through these 60 hour weeks, everything else will be a breeze!!
emily May 11, 2009, 7:42 pm
Good luck with the new job, and figuring out the new schedule!

A few summers in college I worked two jobs and would often do two in one day. My retail job was 8am – 5pm and then I would drive to my waitressing job from 5:30pm – 2:30am. So “fun!”
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health May 11, 2009, 7:43 pm
From October through March I worked 3 jobs and went to school taking 15 credits. I worked at a Real Estate Office (which I still do), Forever 21, and teaching dance (which I still do). It wasn’t too bad until we opened a giant 2 story forever 21 and I was working 20-30 hours in two days on top of my other two jobs and school! My boss just told me she won’t have a lot of work for me this summer so I will either be getting a third job again or quitting that one and having a full time job. Good luck!
jenngirl May 11, 2009, 7:43 pm
Good luck with your new hours Caitlin, if there’s one thing that you demonstrate through your blog it’s your determination and capability to handle a challenge! I know you will work everything out! 🙂

I’ve been lucky enough to only have 2 jobs at once, and that was enough for me!
Holly May 11, 2009, 7:48 pm
Wow, that is a LOT. I’m guessing you’re supporting the husband through medical school, which is just amazing. I hope it doesn’t last tooo long! And thank goodness Shred is quick and effective for mornings you can squeeze it in. I guess one silver lining is that at least you’re at home for the first job? Hang in there!
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) May 11, 2009, 7:48 pm
I worked 2 jobs while taking 12 units and thought it was going to kill me!

Good luck! you can totally do it! Just think of the extra $$$!
Angie Eats Peace May 11, 2009, 7:52 pm
The busiest year of my life was when I finished up grad school (4-5 classes/week), worked a full-time job, worked on internship on night(s) I did not have class, and weekends, planned my wedding, and lost 20 lbs.

I currently work 2 jobs and am training for a marathon.

My biggest piece of advice to you is to set realistic goals, and take care of yourself!

You are human and sometimes are going to need to opt out of a workout or turn down invitations with friends.

Sometimes watching Twilight on your couch is going to take precedence over a training run. It is OK, you will need to recharge your batteries.

Best of luck.
Bec May 11, 2009, 7:55 pm
wow thats a lot of hours!
Niki May 11, 2009, 8:00 pm
Best of luck with your new job! Your schedule sounds tough but you will figure it out! I’ve only had one job at a time, ever. I can’t imagine working more than that! I work 12 hour shifts so on days that I work, I try to get up at 4am to workout before work! Usually end up doing a short run on my treadmill of The Shred.
Victoria May 11, 2009, 8:02 pm
Good luck! You’re right. You can handle it. I work two jobs (50 hours a week) while I was in college full-time. It sucked, but so did not paying rent, so I made it work. Sounds like you’re trying to stay positive! Hope you’re able to keep up with your training!
Melissa @ For the Love of Health May 11, 2009, 8:03 pm
4 jobs and college!? Holy moly!
You ARE a trooper! You can definitely handle your new schedule then. You are a very organized person and there’s no doubt you can organize your schedule to get everything in 🙂
Molly May 11, 2009, 8:11 pm
Caitlin-

I too work a LOT of hours for my job. It will be inspirational to see you in the same situation and your maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. I definitely feel like I can relate to you more than other bloggers who seem to have more free time. If you ever have any time management tips, we’d love to hear them! 🙂 Good luck

Molly
Danielle May 11, 2009, 8:11 pm
Whoa nelly. A few summers ago I had 2 jobs, a full-time internship and a summer class. It can be done, and you can do it 🙂 good luck!
HangryPants May 11, 2009, 8:15 pm
Good luck Caitlin!!!
Elizabeth May 11, 2009, 8:20 pm
Wow! Good luck with the new schedule! I am in the saem boat..wondering if I should take another part timer to pay the bills!

My most hectic time was when I was in beauty school full time, 5 days a week, worked as a waitress 5 nights a week and did part-time customer service for an insurance company. It was the most tiring time of my life!
Kailey (SnackFace) May 11, 2009, 8:22 pm
Wait a tick—how in the world did you manage 4 jobs, plus 12 credit hours at once?!! I must know the secrets and tips!

I’ve only had 2 jobs at once, tops. And that was in the summer. I was working a ton, though.

You’re amazing for taking on this other job!
Jaimejoy May 11, 2009, 8:28 pm
For about 2 semesters in college I worked 3 part time jobs plus school, plus my internship. My third job started at 10:00 pm and ended at 3:00 am. Then I would drive home and sleep for about 2 hours and wake up at 5:30 and start it all over again(gym/running,school, work, intern, work, work…). I have never required much sleep(5 hours is like hibernation for me) but looking back I have no idea how I did all that………
runsarah May 11, 2009, 8:51 pm
Sounds super busy! I’ve worked 2 jobs + full time school at once and found it to be tricky with scheduling, etc.
kat May 11, 2009, 8:56 pm
Wow – that’s a lot of hours. Good luck girl.
Annabel www.feedmeimcranky.com May 11, 2009, 9:05 pm
Wow Caitlin, I am so impressed and inspired by your dedication. You will need a lot of green monsters to get through that schedule, but i don’t doubt you can handle it. is it true what one blogger said that you are supporting your husband through med school? and your first job is at home? Sorry, if i was a cat, i’d be dead from curiosity! 😀
Sending positive vibes your way!!!
Runeatrepeat May 11, 2009, 9:21 pm
In college I had a crazy schedule too, I was taking 15 units, working a 32 hour/week job and doing an internship for 15 hours a week!
Rachel May 11, 2009, 10:05 pm
Oh goodness, what a change! I’ve never had enough stamina and motivation to have as busy a schedule as I know some of my friends did. But a woman’s gotta do what she’s gotta do! I hope you get used to it painlessly and quickly.
Stephanie May 12, 2009, 2:59 am
You CAN handle it, as long as you stay both optimistic and realistic.

You have to have faith in yourself, but still remember that you can’t (and shouldn’t!) do everything.

I’ve always had what most people would consider a crazy schedule because I’ve always supported myself, since graduating high school.

Even now, at 25, I work full time and go to graduate school full time. Every time I start to feel sorry for myself, I just remember that it’s all relative and how lucky I am, compared to the situation of others…

Good luck!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point May 12, 2009, 3:22 am
thank you guys so much for your support!!! it means a lot. and WOW — you guys are hard workers, too!
sarah May 12, 2009, 3:33 am
WOW — not to mention the blog which is a job in itself.

personally i have enough trouble with just my one job but that’s because sometimes we have to work up to 80 hrs/week. not always, thankfully. it’s amazing, the more i work the more i realize how time is more precious than money.

but if you really like your 2nd job i guess it’s worth it — is it practice for working with your husband in the future? my in-laws are a doctor/office manager pair and they love working together.

good luck with everything — we will be rooting for you!
Susan May 12, 2009, 3:40 am
I’m a job collector too. I worked three part-time jobs while doing a full course load in my last year of school. Now I’m just down to two 🙂

Good luck with the new schedule! Hopefully you like the new job so you don’t mind spending the extra hours there. That sucks about dinner though…
Tina May 12, 2009, 4:35 am
Good luck with the new job! I held down 3 jobs at once (last fall), but luckily, I realized that HW wasn’t worth it (money-wise).
Carolina John May 12, 2009, 5:20 am
wow, C. 67 hours a week is tough. I’ve done it before and it gets really tough about 7 weeks in. hang in there.
gutenmegan May 12, 2009, 5:25 am
That sucks about your new schedule! The most I’ve ever done was in grad school. Took 12 credits (at night), had 20-hour a week internship (that started at 7 a.m. … with an hour-long commute), and worked at a restaurant 20 hours a week. It was awful. I all but stopped working out that semester.

Good luck!
Texan Couture May 12, 2009, 5:31 am
Good luck with your new schedule, now that my student loans are due I will be getting a 2nd job pretty soon searching for the perfect one close to my full time job & home. I am nervous about how to balance fitness with a hectic schedule I can't wait to see your tips!
Juli D May 12, 2009, 5:54 am
Good Luck with the new schedule! I hope you don’t have to do it for TOO long. In college, I had an unpaid teaching internship (35 hours), worked to pay the bills (25 hours) and was taking 12 graduate credits. After a year of that I think I was nearing insanity. Just make sure to enjoy the days you work less or don’t work and if possible – you’ll need some definite stress release!
NYgirl@heart May 12, 2009, 5:56 am
Hey Caitlin–
Two years ago when my BF was really sick with his UC, I was going to school full time, working as a newspaper reporter full time, and working two part time jobs on the side–one as a promo girl and the other for a catering company. THAT SUCKED. But we made it through! And you will too. It will take some time to get adjusted but you’ll be great! Hopefully it won’t be for too long though. Good luck!!
Lexie May 12, 2009, 5:58 am
Good luck with your schedule! It might be tiring, but it will definitely be worth it when you get your pay check 🙂

I did the same hours at my last job working from 8-5 and then 5:30 to 10:00 at another job. Thankfully, I only had to do it for a year!
bhealthier May 12, 2009, 6:33 am
oh wow! Good luck! I think the busier we stay, the better our time managing gets because we have to manage everything!
The Decayed Gentlewoman May 12, 2009, 6:43 am
I worked 2 jobs while I was finishing my master’s thesis (so, practically 3)- I was a “mad scientist,” which is a teacher for an afterschool program where you get to do Mr. Wizard type science experiments for elementary school kids; and a hostess at a PF Changs. It was rough.
Krista May 12, 2009, 6:52 am
I worked 3 jobs one summer. Not too fun! When I changed jobs 5 years ago I took a pay cut and worked part time for awhile to bridge the money gap. I burnt out pretty quick working all those hours so make sure you get enough sleep, hun!!!
Erin of Care to Eat May 12, 2009, 7:03 am
Whoa girl, you are dedicated! I guess it could be worse but still! I hope you still have lots of me time. My worst wasn’t that bad. I went to college full time and worked a full time job. At least it was just one job! Graduate school is worse and I don’t even have outside employment (we’re not allowed)!
itsawrapteacher May 12, 2009, 7:35 am
I feel you chica. I’m working full-time as a teacher and going to graduate school in the evenings. I’m starting a Maymester class next week that will M-F 5-10 PM. We’ve got to do what we have to do 🙂 I have no life and am extremely stressed but c’est la vie!
happinessawaits May 12, 2009, 7:40 am
My heart breaks for you because I have so been in that situation.

In graduate school I went to school full time, worked 40 hours a week at one job and then lifeguarded in the evenings. It was AWFUL. I slept a max of 4 hours for years. I think I cut off years of my life.

And then when I moved to DC and worked for a non-profit I had to take a second job because I couldn’t afford my bills and student loans. I became a personal trainer in the mornings and at night. I burned out in a matter of about 3 months. It about killed me.

You can handle it….at least you were motivated to get the other job and do all this because you know that you have to. Hopefully it’ll get easier soon!

Happiness Awaits
Gretchen May 12, 2009, 11:45 am
After college I worked 4 jobs, too. But not while taking classes – that’s nuts! But some of my jobs wouldn’t end until midnight, while another started at 5AM. My only time off was from 12PM Saturday – 12PM Sunday. Good luck with your crazy schedule!

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