Returning to work causing weight gain.Help

Hi, everyone. I am 2 years and 2 months past surgery. Have been doing good. Weight goes between 138 and 148. don't know why I get a 10 pound gain. Goes down when I eat more and up when I eat less. Confusing??  Any way I have returned to work after being on disability for 10 years.  Went back to being a security guard because I have 10 years prior experience and after being out of work for so long and with my continuing physical limits , I thought it would be something easy to get me back into the swing of things.  Well, being a guard sure has changed since then.  I work around a coal mines. The one I actually worked at before for years.  New company, the security company and the mines.  Well, during the day I am too busy to eat.  We answer phones, sign in visitors, hand out applications,  track CO and fire sensors, keep track of miners and keep the coal tonage hourly reports, log them on computer, and do the underground alarms reports and notification of problems, monitor streams for black water,  relay messages for workers, take off work callins, run scale house, monitor train loading to make sure they don't overload, and keep the dozer mans hours.  Way to busy to eat. Then I get put on third shift. Big difference.  We just have to do the daily reports and fax them to everyone, make sure all the foreman reports are tallied, watch for shift change, take care of trains. Sounds like a lot but it actually doesn't take that much time.  Just have to stay aware of things.  I have taken to snacking all night. I am working 12 hour shifts.  The mines is on skelaton crew for holiday week.  The men keep food handy for us. They seem to think I need to eat more???  I have gained an additional 5 pounds above the 10 I fluctuate on.  I need help with some ideas of things to take to work to keep the pounds off.  I don't have access to a store or anything. I have to pack enough so that if I get stuck an additional shift I won't go hungry. But when I pack a lot I get bored and end up constantly snacking.  I do keep water, some diet pop, and I drink a lot of coffee. Two pots the other night. Not a good idea.  Plus I am bored with lunch meats, cheese, cottage cheese and such.  Trying to stay away from bread and carbs. Have been sliding on that.  Getting really bad, smelly gas.   I have to have things that are easy to prepare with a microwave or can be eaten cold.  Need way more protein.  Any suggestions to get my boredom eating undercontrol would be appreciated. As well as, food suggestions.

On top of everything else, sounds like you might be a little stressed at returning to work. Can you ask to be put back on your original shift? If not, lose the pop....it will actually make you crave more carbs and sugars. Do you like oatmeal?  You can microwave that and it stays with you a long while.  Take lots of water and add favoring to it that is sugar free. Can you get out and walk during your shift? You know, like walk around the mine or go up and down stairs?  I think boredom is the absolute worst thing to go through.  I'd rather be so busy I'm pulling my hair out than to be sitting around looking for something to do. I, too, use to eat from boredom.  Had to get rid of my triggers and change up my routine a bit. Also, lay off the coffee (caffiene).  That will trigger eating too, plus it's not good for your pouch. Can you eat fruits?  I'm thinking apples...something crunchy like that.  Sometimes that helps an oral fixation.  What about crunchy peanut butter?  It doesn't have to be refrigerated and you can dip celery in it.  How about canned nuts?  Natural almonds is a good choice.  Lots of protein and no salt. I hope something here helped.  I think it's great that you recognize that you need help and are trying to beat this thing.  Boredom really sucks. If all else fails, can you find another job? Good luck, Donna

Hello!  I am also a night shift worker 12-hour shifts on my behind.. I'm a 911 dispatcher (I think I'd be fine if I didn't have a job where I sat all the time).  I have also put on weight since being on this shift (2 years now) and I'm trying to keep on track.  I did the 5dpt and it helped get me back in tune with my pouch.  now I'm eating mostly protein and then a few veggies, I do still eat some carbs but not much and always after I'm done eating the rest.  I learned to stop drinking 30 minutes before and after I'm eating (something I never did before) and that makes me feel full longer.  Anyway, I bring left over chicken, beef or lean pork with veggies most of the time.  I also keep peanuts (1 oz packets), protein bars, raw carrots and celery with me for some crunch so I don't feel deprived.   I feel your pain!!! 

 

I find it easier to resist all that food people bring in to work when I bring in my own meals and snacks. I keep a basket of fruit, unshelled peanuts and protein bars nearby at all times. When I get the urge to eat, I eat from my basket rather than from the "treats" people bring in. I also bring in microwave meals -- lean cuisine or southbeach diet meals for my lunch along with a supply of plastic forks. When everyone else heads to the cafeteria, I head to the freezer and the microwave. If you have access to a freezer, you could also bring in some no sugar added fudgescicles. I eat them when I get a chocolate craving. Note that some people frown on frozen, prepared meals because of the sodium content. I personally have low blood pressure and I don't have to worry about it. I just mention it in case high blood pressure is a concern for you. One last thought. If you have trouble drinking water, try getting some of those sugar-free on-the-go packets. You just add one to a bottle of water and it turns it into a treat rather than a boring old bottle of water. Kool-aid has some flavors. My preference is the Great Value brand from Walmart supercenters. They are half the price and come in more flavors. Cranberry-Apple is incredible -- especially right now around the holidays. For a hot treat, you could also try herbal teas. Our coffee makers at work have an extra spout for just ho****er. I fill my mug, toss in a tea bag and artificial sweetener. I love it on cold winter days. My favorite is English Toffee tea but there are dozens of herbal teas available from fruity apple to bitter (IMO) green tea. You just have to try them until you find one you like.