Looking to lose about 40 lbs

nlhanks
nlhanks Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I've tried on and off through the years to reach a goal weight of mine, but I've never made it. This time, I'm more determined than ever, but I work night shift and it does pose a challenge.

Any tips and encouragement would be greatly appreciated! :)

Replies

  • DetroitDarin
    DetroitDarin Posts: 955 Member
    Couple things off the top of my head. Consider your verbage: "Looking" to lose. Remind yourself that you are the boss of your body. Consider changing your point of reference to "I will lose..." or "I will become healthy - as a process, not as a destination", etc.

    Night shift presents exactly as many challenges as you allow it. The things you want in life - you Want to lose weight. Are you "willing" to lose weight? At what cost? Sleep? Social life? Being that goofy person who is doing lunges on their lunch break?

    People do what they want. All the time, every time. People choose their behaviour based on reward. And the rewards are the same for everyone. Two things drive our behaviour - dopamine and serotonin. When fitness drives those chemicals in your body, and you accept that reward and crave that reward, very few things in life will compare. One day you will look in the mirror and think "damn. yeah."

    Good luck!
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    DetroitDarin wrote: »
    Couple things off the top of my head. Consider your verbage: "Looking" to lose. Remind yourself that you are the boss of your body. Consider changing your point of reference to "I will lose..." or "I will become healthy - as a process, not as a destination", etc.

    Changing ones grammar will not create a calorie deficit! Eat in a caloric deficit and you will do it. It really is that simple.
  • Nappingcat97
    Nappingcat97 Posts: 21 Member
    It IS as simple as creating and maintaining a deficit...BUT that will only happen with the right attitude. So you're both right. My two pieces of advice: patience (I set out two years ago thinking I'd lose 2 pounds a week...2 years later, I'm down almost 50; that's less than a half a pound a week, but it's healthy, and I have zero fear of rebounding) exercise (far more important than restricting food (if you eat relatively healthy). The same rules apply whatever shift you work, but fatigue can lead to overeating, so make sure you eat well, exercise and get good rest. And be patient. if you want it, it will work. And use MFP : it saved MY life!
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    It's not the one or the other. Attitude is important, and the words we use can make our habits feel easier or harder, but attitude and words alone don't take care of your weight - good habits do.
  • Vegplotter
    Vegplotter Posts: 265 Member
    nlhanks wrote: »
    So, I've tried on and off through the years to reach a goal weight of mine, but I've never made it. This time, I'm more determined than ever, but I work night shift and it does pose a challenge.

    Any tips and encouragement would be greatly appreciated! :)

    I'd like to give you some thoughts on doing a night shift.
    1. Do you get adequate time off to sleep during the day and to recover at weekends or when the shifts change. (There's been a lot in the UK news recently about how important that recovery time is.)
    2. The hormones that induce weight loss are linked to hormones that manage out circadian rhythms. If you are out of balance with sleep, it will be difficult to lose weight and keep it off.

    Is there any way you could get back to day shifts? It would make life much easier for your diet.

    If you can't change then just try and get as good a sleep pattern going as you can and don't set yourself too high a goal for immediate weight loss. Slow and gentle might be your best approach.
    Good luck!

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