Avoid Gaining Weight When You Are a Mature Student

These days, more and more people are finding ways to return to education as adults, whether it's because they didn't have the chance to do a degree when they were younger, because they want to retrain for a different career, or because they want to build on their existing qualifications with something like an MBA or a masters in social work.

With online courses and community college courses, it is possible for people of all ages to do college courses without having to relocate to a university campus or get into loads of student debt. However, just as going to college at 18 causes most people to gain weight (the famous 'freshman 15'), beginning to study something full-time can mean spending a lot more time sitting in front of your computer in a sedentary state – especially if you are doing something like an MSW online where even your lectures don't require you to go anywhere or move!

With the temptation to snack and the idea in your head that you are too busy to hit the gym, weight can creep up if you don't take some strategies, like these, to avoid it:

Find Time-Efficient Workouts

You may have some periods of intensive studying or essay writing, but if you find time-efficient ways to exercise then you can stop yourself from letting exercise become a bottom priority you just don't do during the busiest times. High-intensity interval training is great for this, as you can burn lots of calories in just a few minutes a day and get a great metabolic boost for the next 24 hours to boot. It is also something you can do at home with almost no equipment, and can learn from YouTube videos, meaning no time lost going to classes or driving to the gym.

Choose Healthy Snacks

Snacking can actually help you keep going when you are having a long study session, but you need to pick snacks that aren't full of empty calories and simple carbs. Bananas, seeds, berries, and small amounts of nutritionally beneficial but calorically dense snacks like nuts, dark chocolate and olives can all be better choices than chips, cookies, candy and crackers, and all contain beneficial 'nootropic' elements like antioxidants that can actually help brain function.

Don't Stay Sitting Down Too Long at Once

Staying at your desk for hours at a time can not only affect your posture, making you look less fit and toned even if you haven't gained weight, but can also cause your metabolism and digestion to slump. Get up and walk around a little every hour or so, even if you just nip to the store or even just walk around your home a little. Even a couple hundred steps can stop your body going into full 'sedentary' mode if you do them every hour.

These are just three ways you can make a simple but conscious effort to avoid weight gain as you study.

If You Make These Bad Excuses For Staying In A Job, Maybe It's Time To Call It Quits

Anybody who’s been in a crummy job will know what a grind it can be. You spend all day dreaming of quitting. And then a little voice in your head comes along and tells you that’s impossible. What are you supposed to do? Carry on like you have been for the rest of your life?

Sometimes, that little voice in your head can be the voice of sanity. It might tell you not to pack in your twenty-year career all because your boss called you “lazy.” But sometimes, that voice in your head can hold you up and make you believe you’ve got no other options. 99 percent of the time, that’s just not true.

“I Don’t Quit”

Here’s the thing about success: you’re either moving towards it or you’re not. The key to getting to where you want to go isn’t banging your head against a brick wall, hoping you’ll break through. It’s about making the decisions that maximize your chances of success. And sometimes that means quitting.

Larry Page, John McEnroe, and Tiger Woods all famously dropped out of college. Why? It was getting in the way of what they wanted to achieve with their lives. Saying that a winner never quits is patently false.

“The Grass Is Never Greener On The Other Side”

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Ask any employment lawyer, and they’ll tell you that culture can change dramatically from company to company. In some firms, workers are harassed, bullied and intimidated. In others, they’re treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve. It’s just not true to say that all companies are the same. It’s rather like saying all people are the same since companies are just collections of people. There are even organizations that go around trying to find the best places to work, based on employee satisfaction.

“I’ve Invested So Much Here; I Can’t Leave Now”

The fallacy of sunk costs causes untold misery to the people who fall prey to it. It’s the belief that if you’ve already spent a lot of time, effort or money on something, you should continue doing it. But that’s just bad advice and illogical. Imagine if businesses operated that way. We'd have millions of wasteful businesses, plummeting further and further into unsustainable debts.

If you find yourself thinking like this, the best opportunity is to cut your losses as soon as possible. Yes, you’ll lose some of the time investment you made. But if you wind up staying, you risk losing a lot more.

“Quitting Will Wreck My CV”

Sure, you might not like your job. But you think to yourself: “at least if I stay, I won’t be wrecking my CV.” But the problem is that staying in a job you hate is a surefire way to make sure you’re ground down and don’t progress. And that’s likely to look even worse.

“My Job Is Well Paid”

Is it worth working in a job that makes you permanently miserable? Almost certainly, no. The reason is that you've got plenty of options open to you if you make a lot of money. For instance, you can use your income to build yourself a safety net that will allow you time to find something you enjoy more.

Penguin Park, Praying at Home (Priest Practice?) and Pronto Pasta #KansasCity

Last Sunday Aron was out of town :-( and I took my kids plus Julia and Little Eva to Penguin Park in North Kansas City. This is a place we had not been in many years and I regret not going every year. We have gotten too busy these last few years and a half hour trip just seemed like so much, or the weather was never just right, or the kids wanted to take friends who go to school.

My mom and stepdad took the kids once and I think that was when we only had three kids! Otherwise I remember going a couple of times and chasing chasing chasing kids around and worrying about where they had gone in the park. Last Sunday the place seemed very small to all of us and only the two youngest of my kids really still enjoy a good playground, which is kind of sad.

It was a little hot last Sunday, but I knew it was time to go. We packed some snacks and drinks and headed up north. I don't want this to be the last time we go! We discovered a lake behind the park (thanks to Google Maps) and we love nature hikes and situations so off we went after realizing there were too many bees at the actual park!

the mascot

teens hanging out

the little ones having fun

my big 15-yo baby

the entire crew heading down the trail to find the lake

so much cooler in the woods!

me with my 8 yo daughter Eva

me, my Eva and her friend Eva

yes, i know you don't feed ducks but we did it anyway

the other side of the lake... they found a hook and some fishing line and Joel helped Sam fish

I am a horrible judge of time these days and we were going to be late for Mass at Holy Trinity. We would have gone anyway BUT THERE IS NO PARKING! So we went home and Joel led us in a rosary. Sam was very devout.

Joel getting priest practice?

super lazy dinner. i had an Ibotta rebate (see my post on this) for Pronto pasta so here you go ... I made mac and cheese out of it

I am absolutely in love with days like this when we get to just explore and not have to worry (too much) about time or where we have to be next. We had more lazy days when the kids were younger and those are disappearing so I treasure these days even more now.

Different Types Of Family Issues & How To Deal With Them

All families find themselves undergoing different kinds of problems throughout the years. The fact is, there is no such thing as a perfectly happy family. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work towards trying to be as happy as possible. But it is always a good idea to bear in mind that problems are likely to always arise. However, one of the main things is to try and deal with those problems as fully as you can. It can often help to know what to expect. If you are still in the early days of having a family, then you probably haven’t run into many issues yet. In this post, we are going to go through some of the major issues you can expect to come up. Of course, you might get lucky and avoid the majority of these. Either way, it is helpful to be prepared for as much as possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the major issues facing most families today.

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Arguments & Breakups

All families and couples have arguments from time to time. This is just a part of the natural flow of things. However, there is a difference between these normal, everyday arguments and more important ones. Knowing the difference is often enough to be able to save a relationship on the rocks. However, you need to be aware that arguments are a natural part of being in a relationship with someone. As long as you know this, it is likely that you will deal with them a lot better. Breakups, on the other hand, can be hugely devastating, especially for a family. Often, the most important thing in these situations is to try to cater to everyone’s needs. Quality divorce lawyers really can make all the difference here.

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Bad Habits

Something that often gets in the way of family relationships is poor habits. This can happen to anyone that lives with someone else, and it is just to be expected. However, the important thing is to bear in mind that everyone has them sometimes. The best thing to do here is to try and remember to be mindful of other people’s needs and be willing to adapt to them. Some people find that this is difficult, but it is also often essential in order to have a happy home life. If you find that someone you live with has bad habits, don’t be afraid to bring it up as delicately as possible.

Misunderstandings

One of the most common issues in any human relationship is that of misunderstandings. Often, people fail to properly understand each other. This can happen even in the closest of relationships. The secret to avoiding misunderstandings happening is communication. We all know that communication is hugely important to relationships. Yet, we also often forget. If you are keen to minimize this kind of trouble, you should try to be more open and honest in your communication with the other person. This alone can make a huge difference to the relationship itself.

The Dos And Don'ts Of Planning Child-Friendly City Breaks

When you think of city breaks, you may imagine trendy bars and restaurants and designer boutiques. But city breaks aren’t just for adults. This is a fantastic type of holiday for families. If you’re looking for a change from the usual sunshine break by the sea, why not start planning an urban escape? Here are some dos and don’ts to help you eliminate any stress and design a perfect itinerary.

Image by https://www.flickr.com/photos/132084522@N05/16800139540

Do

Research where to go

It’s all well and good being spontaneous. But when it comes to traveling with kids, it’s often best to plan ahead. Don’t just book flights on a whim because you like the sound of an exotic city, or you’ve seen photos on Instagram. Look into possible locations for your vacation and do some homework. What is there to do? Is it an affordable option? Is there enough going on to keep the kids entertained?

Create an itinerary

You don’t have to plan a minute by minute timetable, but a rough itinerary will help to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you’re going to Rome or Paris, for example, there are so many things to see. If you’re wasting time wandering around, you may miss out on some of the main attractions. Once you’ve chosen your destination, read some guidebooks and blogs to help you decide what you want to do. It’s also worth getting a map out so that you can see where attractions are in relation to each other.

Find out the best ways to get around

There’s nothing worse than getting lost in an unfamiliar place. Before you go, make sure you know how to get from A to B. Use the Internet to research the metro or underground lines you need. Find out about local buses or trains. It’s also wise to look into potential savings you can make while you’re traveling. You could get an Oyster Card if you’re traveling in London, for example, or make use of discount codes like an Uber first ride offer.

Image credit https://pixabay.com/en/photos/london%20landmarks/

Don’ts

Stick to the tourist zones

Of course, you want to see the sights. But don’t spend all your time in the tourist zones. Try to avoid visiting bars and restaurants next to attractions as they tend to be very expensive. It’s also worthwhile living like a local. Your experience of a city is likely to be very different as a tourist, so take time to get off the beaten track. Ask friends to show you around, or look for recommendations online.

Assume that hotels are your only option

Your first thought when you’re looking for accommodation in a city may be a hotel, but don’t rule out other options. Hiring an apartment, for example, may be cheaper and more practical. You can come and go as you wish, and cook your own meals. Home swaps may also be an idea.

Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/6672156239

If you’re interested in taking the kids on a city break, some people may think you’re mad. But visiting large cities offers an incredible experience for youngsters. There’s so much to see and do, and no risk of getting bored. Bear these tips in mind, and hopefully, you’ll have a wonderful time.