Anybody out there work night shift (11PM-7AM)? I do and I was looking to see if there was anyone else out there who could help me out.

On my first night off I spend the day trying to stay awake so I can sleep that night. I do try to take a nap in the AM, but I try to keep it short. My problem is that the whole day I'm awake I'm craving sugary carbs and fried foods. All the big no-nos. I know that if I eat that kind of crap I will feel sick and (TMI alert) get gassy, but by the evening I just can't seem to say no.

I don't have that kind of stuff in my house, but if we go out (I'm usually off on weekends) Watch out! My DH is very supportive and gently reminds me to make better choices, but I don't always listen. I'd really like some tips because a new weekend is fast approaching along with a trip away from home for the holiday. I'd really like to keep all the weight I lost this week off.

Do you have any 'cheat' days worked into your plan? My boyfriend really needs some sort of light at the end of the tunnel in this stage of his lifestyle change, so we allow ourselves the weekend 'off' to eat exactly those kinds of foods you're describing. I found that after a few weeks instead of trying to cram every single food I craved into the two days of the weekend, I now pick and choose what I'll end up having. I also find that these heavy foods in such large quantities really leave me full!

I don't work overnights but my schedule varies a lot. I can work 7am-3pm then 2 pm to 10pm, then back to a 9-5. It really messes up the plan. DH works a regular 8am-4pm shift with weekends off. I find that when I'm working a pm shift he will eat like a bachelor (pizza or ramen).
My thing is to eat a good "breakfast" (could be 6am, could be noon) and to plan for a healthy filling "dinner". When i work late my instinct is to have something light (100-200cal) at 6-7pm but then I come home super hungry and end up making a bad choice. I have to plan in a nice 400cal dinner- even if it seems more than I want- so I don't come home and binge.
Always a plan in progress.

I work overnights too but I don't try to change my sleeping schedule... I sleep during the day and that's that. Even on my days off I sleep during the day and stay up all night. I think working overnights is helping me lose weight. I have less of an appetite when I'm working all night and sleeping during the day.

I don't work overnight or swing shifts, but here's my 2 cents worth. When I feel like you do - craving something, especially when I know it won't sit well in the tummy - I have just a small (very small) amount when I first really want it. Trying to hold off usually backfires. As soon as you've had a few bites of what you crave, STOP if it's not on plan.

Here's something else I've learned. You have lost about 12 pounds. As you see the loss getting bigger, you will really want to stay on plan. The reward of the weight loss is so much better than the reward of fried chicken!

And, if you can manage to cut pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread from your diet for a month, you will probably lose a lot of the cravings. I'm speaking from experience. I cut way back on those things in January. Then in April I went to a lecture by a nutritionist/women's weight loss specialist. He said that if you eliminate those items from your diet for a month, your cravings for them AND SUGAR usually diminish. I realized that I hadn't had the cravings in a long while.

Lastly, changing how you think about food is difficult. You have to set your mind to this and DO IT. You will be a little hungry sometimes. You will wish you could eat "something" sometimes. You will fall off plan once in a while. I'm 60 years old, never exercised, and was 250+ for over 25 years, with 10 years of yoyoing between normal weight and 200 pounds before that. I am doing this. Many, many others in here are, too. I draw inspiration from them, even if they don't know it. You can do the same.

Join one of the month long challenges to stay on plan. Join a 10 pound thread. Do whatever it takes to help keep you focused. Once you conquer the cravings and learn how to give in just a little and then get back on plan, you will have changed your habit FOREVER. And isn't that really our goal? Change to a healthier life style.

I realize I didn't give you a real solution to your cravings right now, but maybe you will remember that the big goal is worth it next time you pass on the fried food. You've made a start. Just keep going 1 pound and one day at a time. Good luck to you.

Lin

i work nights, Midnight to 8am. and i find that whenever i cheat on my diet it is at work around 3-4 am ish. and it doesnt help that there are goodies allover the work place i just recently started bringing an extra piece of fruit with me to have as a snack, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. but i have learned that bringing extra veggies or fruit and putting in the office does tend to prevent me from going down to the staff pantry where all the "big no no" foods are. and i have the same problem when i stay up all day or dont get enough sleep i crave cookies and chips.

Thanks for the tips!