night shift worker looking for support - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Jessanne · 03-02-2009, 03:33 AM

Hi! My name is Jessica and I am an RN who works night shift. I have started doing weightwatchers and am looking for other night shift workers to give eachother support. I am moving back to my home town in June and really want to get into a healthy lifestyle before the stress of moving gets me off track. I am 34 and have 2 kids. Thankfully my husband is joining me on this journey but at 3 am he is in bed and not keeping me from attacking the fridge

nursemp · 03-02-2009, 04:24 AM

Hi Jessanne, I am also a night shift worker, and have been having the same problem. I don't know about you but sometimes I am awake 24hours and don't know when to eat. Also I work in the Pediatric ICU and when I get stressed and have had a bad night I rationalize eating.....like my patient died so I deserve that regular coke and chocolate doughnut. It is so difficult to keep up, when to exercise and cook healthy when I don't even get sleep! I hope we can figure this out, our goals are so similar.

midwife · 03-02-2009, 11:09 AM

Surf around and settle in! We have subforums based on age, nutrition plan, exercise and more.

I hear you on the night shift stuff. I worked nights for years and now I work a night a week. I plan out what I'm going to eat in a 24 hr span and then time it accordingly. I'm not perfect (last night I stress-ate some spinach dip and crackers---but then I stopped before it got out of control). The main thing is to keep going even if you mess up a bit.

Check out the WW subforum.

Jessanne · 03-03-2009, 06:14 PM

Nursemp I work in the ed so I know what you mean. When we lose someone its easier to eat to feel better because you have to move onto the next patient. Plus when you dont get a chance for a lunch break donuts are much easier to eat. I am up 24 hours at times also because I'll have family things to do once I get home. It's amazing that as nurses we tell other people how to live healthy then treat ourselves like crap

nursemp · 03-04-2009, 01:08 AM

jessanne,

I have been trying to look at the whole eating thing different. When I feel like I had a bad night or something tell myself I deserve to be thin and healthy not I deserve to eat bad. I also have a family and when you are so tired it just doesn't feel like it matters, but it does!!! I often feel guilty about being a "fat" nurse. I am glad my peds patients do not care I am fluffy.

OICU812 · 03-04-2009, 01:18 PM

Nurses are notorious for helping everyone but themselves, so I am proud of you for undertaking this step. Time to do this for YOU!

Jessanne · 03-04-2009, 07:40 PM

It is amazing how many nurses are overweight I think we just spend all our time taking care of other needs. We actually hit a time last night with only one patient in the ed so I walked laps and got a mile in. I look silly but it was better then sitting there doing nothing

Wisconsin Woman · 03-05-2009, 01:20 AM

Hi - I understand where you're coming from - I'm an RN and have worked nights for over 15 years now. I love it and wouldn't want to work any other shift, but it does have it's drawbacks. The one thing I've learned is plan ahead. Always take a lunch - something that you can eat on the run or a bite or two at a time, since legitimate breaks are often hard to come by. That way when someone comes in with the donuts you're not famished.
My hardest time is when I'm not working, especially my first night off. I don't sleep as much (because I want to sleep that night) but then I'm so tired, and when I'm tired my body gets confused and I feel hungry and my will power is down. That's when I have to be really careful to have plenty of low calorie alternatives and hopefully I'll choose one.

nursemp · 03-05-2009, 05:34 AM

I know I have worked 4 out of 5 nights this being my last and I have been really good. I don't get to sleep much today and am sure by 1700 I will be wanting something fried. I am planning on have already told my husband he was in charge of a healthy dinner, so it will be easier to resist the urge to go out and eat. I am so proud of us all for finally taking care of us!!!!

MissieA · 03-05-2009, 09:25 AM

I'm a Corrections Officer who also works the night shift. I plan my meals ahead of time and only bring to work what will keep me under my calorie count for the day. I have stopped bringing money in order to stay away from the vending machines.

MissieA · 03-05-2009, 09:27 AM

I also swith up the order that I eat. I eat breakfast at home when I wake up in the afternoon, skip luch to eat dinner with the family and then eat lunch at work around 0300. It works for me.