What to do, how to do it.

[Sparkle]

This summer I will be working full time hanging sheetrock 8 hours a day. This is strenuous, and pretty much leaves you sapped for what little time of the day you may have to enjoy yourself. I want to continue to work out, but don't know if I will be able to due to exaustion.

The heat here is bad, and keeping fluids and nutrients are hard enough as it is, but I'm going to need energy to work out. I can't stop because I have goals I want to reach in life that well, I can't just stop for 4 years for. (working and going to college). So I need help. What are the best foods I can eat with a super active lifestyle, what do I need to pump through my system, and do I have to change the way I work out or when? I'm not going to take supplements in any way, so I really do need the BEST stuff to fuel my body with. Spending money on food will not be much of a problem.

Help is much appreciated, I have a month to prepare for how I am going to do things for the rest of my life : P.

[narcsarge]

Protein bars. Protein shakes. Anything with complex carbs! Sweet potatos, baked potatos, brown rice, tuna, whole wheat bread, and lots of water. I helped build my in-laws house here in SW Florida. April through November so I know all about the heat. Eat every 3 - 4 hours and drink continUously during the day. It worked for me! :cool: :Angel:

[Poop-Loops]

Eat and drink as much as you can while you're working (not to full load, of course, things like an apple or a sandwich here or there or a protein bar, etc) and sleep as much as you can when you are done.

[Crimson_Stone]

Have fun working. I payed for college by being a carpenter, mostly framing houses in central Texas. I know how hot and tired you will be. I suggest don't worry to much about training for the first few weeks of work. Once you adapt to the new stress you will find the extra energy to hit the gym or the dojo.


1. Eat every 2-3 hours. You should have time eat during breaks, and there are dozens of ways to wiggle extra breaks into the day. Like picking up a broom to "sweep" the floor or by washing a shovel.

2. Eat a complete meal. Complete Protien. Fruit. Vegetable. Forget about carrying a lunch pale to work. Buy a cooler capable of holding at least a full case of beer. Cook BIG dinners and pack the leftovers in your cooler for the next day. You can wrap the food in a tortilla so its easy to handle, and you can scarf it down in a pinch. Or when the taco truck comes by, buy some extra tacos to eat thru out the day.

3. Buy a 8-pack of those 20 oz Gatorade bottles. Keep the bottles to refill. They're cheap, durable, and easily replaceble, so who cares if they get lost? I reccomend 2 bottles of water to every 1 bottle of Gatorade. If you want extra protien in your diet 1 scoop EvoPro Vanilla Protien Powder + 18 oz Gatorade (I like Orange and some of the berry flavors) make a really good tasting shake that isn't thick or heavy so it's easy to drink when working or training.

Check this article out as well.
From North American Diet to Athlete Diet: (http://www.t-nation.com/findArticle.do;jsessionid=DA8AF0D92A1193160F23EE40 3E476745.hydra?article=06-053-diet)

[Kintanon]

Also, if you're hanging sheetrock I recommend taking a break from lifting for the first 2 weeks after you start. Then redesign your lifting routine to hit areas that hanging sheetrock doesn't hit. You don't find a much better workout than hanging sheetrock all day.

Kintanon