Question:
How do I adjust my eating to my night shift schedule?

Help. I'm a nurse who works nights 7p-7a. I'm 17 months post op and am still trying to lose that stubborn last 10 pounds. I sleep all day (from 8:30 to 5pm) and never eat during the day. At night I pack a "goody" bag and eat all night when I can. I eat a meaty sandwich on 7 grain bread, chicken noodle soup and water or Crystal Lite. But then I start to snack a little at a time. I don't want to RE-develop the bad habit of eating out of boredom, so how do I adjust. It's odd to me to arrange for breakfast, lunch and dinner in the middle of the night when it seems such an odd time to eat.    — CHARLYLVN (posted on July 3, 2006)

July 3, 2006
Charlotte- While I am only just a little over 2 mos post lap RNY I can feel for you- I too am a nurse and we tend to have those nagging feelings we should be able to do what we tell our patients better than anyone- we have to remember that we are human too! About a month a go I lost my job so staying at home is a new experience - it finally dawned on me lat week that I was having a good pity party and tht I have decreased my water intake and exercise- I remember from the few night shifts I had to work it was sure easy to get out of an exercise routine (after all giving patient care is exercise - unfortuntely our bodies get used to that activity and need over and above what we do as our daily jobs. So I guess what I would ask is how is the water intake and the exercise going? As far as snacks take something healthy- raw veggies. Good luck you are near the end and I am at the beginning. Donna 286/206/145
   — dabby

July 3, 2006
Do the same thing you would during the day. Lunch 3 Hours after Breakfast and Diner 5 Hours after Lunch. Be sure to get your snacks in between. Since in the Morning I skip my Fruit I usually have it late at night about 2 hours before bed Like Clementines, I love them they kill your hunger and taste so great!!!!!
   — MikeL

July 3, 2006
Charlotte, we know your busy all night sometimes non-stop which then you eat bits-n-pieces as your going. But cut the carbs out. Breads, pasta-noodles, etc. these are just making you want more carbs. And it must seem to you your walking a lot during your shift. And I know your tired when you get off (I know because I worked the late shift in Law Enforcement.) but when you do get off before you go home. Go exercise. You'll also sleep better than feeling you just went to bed. Thank you for being a caring nurse, Mike
   — Michael Eak

July 4, 2006
I would think treating your nights like days would do it! Congrats on doing so well for THIS long; you certainly don't want to ruin it now! :O) I would think you'd go back to liquids for a week to get that last 10lbs. off.....mayber that would work!?! Trish
   — zoeysgrami

July 4, 2006
I work nights as well and find that I have done better by having dinner by about 10pm and that usually tides me over. The soup I rarely have because it just goes right through me. Sticking to the protein and high fiber does help though. For me, I've worked nights for so long and I made my own meal rules up. I eat dinner at dinner time...or close to it. Then if I want breakfast (which I usually don't) I will have it when I'm off work.
   — Dinka Doo

July 6, 2006
wow.... I am so proud of you for your loss... However it saounds as though your body is searching for Nutrition... One thing to remember, you should know this...The reason america has an obesity epidemic is...We are all not fat because of what we eat it is because of what we do NOT feed our body...Nutriants in balance...when we live to eat, it is much different than eating to live... Find your "WHY" and move forward ... get your body tuned up and watch it change... Celeste from 327 to 125...I now know what it is like to be HAPPY al over! Healthy and Lean!
   — shakeyourweight

July 8, 2006
Your night is the same as rgular fdays, so just treat it as though it is! You should be having breakfast, lunch, and dinner, rather than snacking. How can you eat all that? I qm 18 mo, and I cannot. i have not lost all my weight yet, either, so if you are only ten pounds off, you are doing well! Make sure you are getting your protein first.
   — Novashannon

July 8, 2006
Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm off this plateau and back to losing weight w/ only 6 pounds to go. I took a little bit of everyone's advice and I'm back to losing again. I've also gotten back to basics and adjusted my schedule to time my nights like I do on my days off; just everything in reverse. I eat healthy snacks and the multigrain breads I can tolerate well because I do not and will not eat white bread or other carbs. I eat healthy carbs and stock my "goody" bag w/ fruits and veggies, crystal lite, diet green tea and water. Feeling great. Thanks again for your advice - everyone!
   — CHARLYLVN