Overnight shift HELP PLEASE
 

I work overnights 10pm to 8am. Usually not a problem, however, my last day of work for the week, I stay awake til around 10pm, after my four kids go to bed. I don't want to waste any of my time off on the weekend, because I don't hardly see them during the week because of my schedule.

The problem is, that means that I am awake 24+ hours straight that day. How do I handle this calorie wise? I feel like Ive totally blown it today, because I kept eating, but Im eating at "normal" day hours. Like this:

9pm Breakfast
12am Snack
3am Lunch
6am snack
9am Dinner
1pm Lunch
6pm Dinner
9pm snack

Did I screw up? How do I handle this while I am dieting? I had about 1800 calories between my 9pm breakfast and my 1pm lunch. but I am up for at least 9 more hours. Grrrr.

Maybe instead of staying up all day until 10pm, you should try to sleep for a few hours, maybe while you're kids are at school. Even 4 hours would be something - I think the sleep you're not getting is way more important than the calories/meals you are getting! If you sleep for at least 4 hours, then you won't be having any meals for a while - you could give up the 9am dinner that day because you'll be sleeping, then you can have a little breakfast around noon or 1pm, dinner with the family at 6, maybe have a snack at 9 if you're hungry, then go to bed again and try to sleep all night long.

I work shift work (days/afternoons/nights) on a rotating 5 week schedule and after I've worked for 7 nights in a row (and sleeping all day nights 1 thru 6), I have got to go to bed for at least 4 hours when I get home in the morning after my last night shift. I don't feel safe driving if I haven't had any sleep at all - being up 24hrs is very dangerous and it's REALLY bad for your body, particularly if you do it on a regular basis.

I know I should try....but saturday is our "go" day, the only day that all 6 of us are actually together. Sunday everyone is doing other stuff or chores, and the rest of the week i work and they have school, ballet, knowledge bowl, volleyball, etc.

Im probably making it more complicated than it is. Thank you for the advice!

So maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but it should probably be more like two days of calories. I completely understand the family thing, but maybe try to get a couple hours of a nap after breakfast. You are important too :)

Day 1 - Noon to Noon
Sleep Noon - 8 PM
9pm Breakfast
12am Snack
3am Lunch
6am snack
9am Dinner


Day 2 Noon to Noon
1pm Lunch
6pm Dinner
9pm snack
Sleep 11 PM - 7 AM
9 AM - Breakfast

Could you try having a calorie goal for the week, and instead of dividing it by 7 equal days, portion out more calories for your crazy-long day?

How about staying as close to regular meal times as possible when you wake up? i.e. don't eat during your shifts, but have a breakfast on your way home, sleep, wake up, and have a big dinner in lieu of lunch. Intermittent fasting is a good way to lose weight. Also, give sleep a priority, then your kids' schedule on weekends, then food. Disregard if it won't work for you, just a thought!

Awesome suggestions you guys!