Question:
I am a night owl who work from 8:30pm to 5:00am

Is there anyone out there that work the night shift or other odd shifts and found a way to change you eating habits.When I worked nights 15 years ago, I gained so much weight because I was constantly eating and my activity level was zero. I don't want that to happen again. I can make myself get up and walk the dog. But how do I change my eating habits. I was working the mid day shift and was pretty consistant with eating properly.    — Jan M. (posted on October 22, 2001)

October 22, 2001
Jan I found that working night shift for me was even better after the surgery I wasn't as hungry but always tired. I just drank my water at that time when I0 was feeling hungry through out the night. I would then come home and eat breakfast and exercise go to bed and then when I got up I had my lunch/dinner before going to work. I know it's really hard. I had to leave the night shift cause I felt like I was depriving my body of time. I was sleeping more than I wanted to so now im on the 3-11 shift. Hope this helped. GOOD LUCK
   — Heather G.

October 22, 2001
Hi Jan, I have worked all 3 shifts but most of the time go back and forth between 2nd and 3rd shift.When I'm on 3rd shift (10:00p.m - 6:30a.m.) I make sure I don't eat breakfast at 6:30, I eat it at 3:30 or 4:00 when I wake up. Then I eat again at 2:30 in the morning. Or if I get off track, I'll eat breakfast at 4:00 or 5:00 lunch at 12:00a.m. and dinner at 3:00. But I make sure I resist that urge to stop at McDonalds for breakfast on the way home because at one time I put on ALOT of weight doing that. You shouldn't have to worry about that because the fast food places aren't usually open that early.(At least they aren't around here) You are right. I think everyones activity level is zero when they work nights. We should be sleeping instead of working. And I only change my schedule in the winter because it's too cold to work nights, but I love it in the summer. When I take my breaks(most of the time) I will eat alittle on my 15 min. break and go out to my car on my 30 minute break and get a nap in. That usually helps because no matter how much sleep you get - you can alway sleep at night. I also make sure I tell another employee that I'm out there and if they are out there they make sure to wake me up when break is over, or come out and wake me when it's time. I also have learned that when you work night shift - you can't keep a day schedule. Meaning when you get home, go straight to bed. Sleep like it's night time. Wake up in 8 hours and start YOUR day. That helps alot with the fatigue. Hope I've helped you alittle. Let me know how it goes. And remember it will take you some time to get used to the new schedule.
   — K T.