Which one do I do??

Hi there everyone! Finally back to the grind. I've just recently come back from a year off at school, and I want to tone up. I was wondering what the best way to do this would be. I don't have a lot of time during the week, as I work as a tutor and a full time server. With that said, I am on my feet for 4-10 hrs a day running up and down a few flights of stairs serving food. At the end of my shift (according to my pedometer) I have already burned 2-500 calories depending on the shift. I do not want my daily deficit to exceed 500 calories because I don't have the time or money to eat more.

Having said that, what would be the best way to tone up without totally ruining my metabolism by taking in too few calories and overdoing my cardio. I can probably make it to the gym 3x/week for 45 mins. Any reccomendations?? Thanks!

Well, I guess you can't do anything. 

Anything you do to "tone up" will involve working your muscles.  If you work the muscles you will burn calories.  If you are unwilling to eat more, then you can't do it. 

Also, I have to say (having worked as a server for many years), if you are relying on the pedometer to tell you how many calories you burned during a work shift it is probably underestimating.  It's a very physical job and you can burn a lot of calories doing it. 

Is it possible that you could find some more calorie dense foods, so that you can increase your calories without adding extra time and money to do so? Without knowing what you are eating, it's hard to give specific advice, but there are ways to increase how much you eat without it requiring a lot more investment.

Thanks for the posts....I am willing to eat more, I'm just finding it a struggle. I'm 5ft and 103lbs. Here is a typical day for me:

B: always rolled oats, tablespoon of bp, a splash of milk and a banana/coffee

Lunch: Sandwich on whole grain bread, lean meat like turkey, and low fat havarti

Snack: Apple or granola bar

Dinner: Rice chicken and veg sir fry with half a can of cream of mushroom soup stirred in, or chicken breast, sweet potato with plain yogurt and veggies

Sometimes I enjoy a glass of wine or 2 a couple days a week. :) If that helps any, I'd love to take some more suggestions . Thanks!