Any single shift-workers out there????

FluffyFontaine

Hello Everyone!

I'm a 41 year old singleton with no kids. I'm a shift worker who lives a rather solitary life due to my work schedule, and seem to use food as my best friend, lover, entertainment, and band-aid. I've got 50 lbs to lose, 30 of those I gained in just the last 18 months. My weight gain has significantly effected my confidence and self-esteem.......something I am desperate to change.

I'd love to hear how some of you manage your time off when everyone else is working. How do you keep yourself entertained? How do you keep yourself from falling into the loneliness trap?

So, here's to you and you and you and I! Cheers and good luck!

Feel free to friend me, along with a message advising where you found me. Thanks!

K.

larrodarro

Not single, but I work nights and weekends. I have done it for 23 years, so I'm used to it now. It can be a pain when everyone else is going to a family function or a party, and I have to work. But it is very nice when I want to go down the river on a week day and everyone else is slaving away.

As far as the loneliness, I'm a wee bit anti-social, so that is not a problem for me. I garden, read, write and do photography. I also do most of the cooking and housework, {my wife works more hours and makes three times what I do} so there isn't enough hours in the day to do all I need to do.

Friend me if you want. Sometimes I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, so I don't have time to chat. Other times I have hours to kill.

Good luck with your lifestyle change,

Larro

KrazyFluffy

Another Fluffy!! Welcome to the fluffy team!!!

I work shifts too.. Rotating from days and nights. It can really suck on your personal life as well as your diet if you are not too careful. I got into some BAD eating habbits, especially on nights. I just got a bit lazy and went for the quicker all ready prepared foods rather then making healthier foods and my activity level dropped too.

How to keep yourself entertained on your downtime can be a bit of a pain. Everyone you know is likely at work or sleeping when you are up and active. I joined a gym. At the gym there are classes. You can meet new people who might go to the gym at the same time as you, or have similar hobbies or goals.
Classes were a bit harder for me to do as they were 98% female and when i walked in, I was the guy who was there to "check them out" not the guy in there for the classes. But once i got to know a few, you can get some great gym buddies.

I also checked around my area to see if there were other groups that did stuff that i like. There is a group of runners who I join every so often and a group of people who bike(road and mountain). The road bike crew is VERY "posh". 5'6" 120-140lbs people who looked at me and laughed. But we have a "PHAT Crew" that we ride with that we do distances and routes that work for us, challenge us and keep us all motivated.(PHAT - Pretty Hot And Tempting).

The biggest thing i can suggest is focus on activities you like to do and see if there are others in your area that do the same thing. Put yourself out there and hopefully you will find some people and the good times come along!

Kind if went off on a rant there, but welcome to the site! Add me if you want some extra positive motivation!!

Madame_Goldbricker

*raises hand*

Use your time off to go to the gym, walk, join a group, volunteer & make new friends. Have a look at your local community centre see what classes they offer - learn a new skill.

As for losing weight - prep your foods to take into work with you.

If you have a quiet period at work find a spot to do some body weight exercises - you'll feel better for it.

Good luck OP!

kar328

I'm 50, single and work 7P-7A three times a week, a lot on weekends ($10/hour more). I hate crowds so I find doing things during the day to be beneficial. No long lines at the stores, gym classes not overcrowded. I'm definitely a bit anti-social :bigsmile:

Sometimes it's definitely hard and I feel like I should try to be "normal" like everyone else. But I'm so used to this way that it would be a tough adjustment. Most of the people I call my friends are online, I love being on here, I find the support more beneficial than the support I get from the coworkers or other people I see face to face. There's a fun "official night shift thread" in the fun and games forums that I log on to when I have time at work. It's nice to be with others in the same situation.

Since I've been on here, I've gotten further and further away from using food as a friend, it still needs work but it's improving. I love to read, watch tv, go outside and walk, and recently started going to classes at the gym I joined. I find I'm sometimes busy getting things done on my days off and no time to be lonely.

Would love more friends so anyone is free to send a request. :drinker:

Fasttrack2freedom

Hello,

IM not single but the MFP site is a great motivator and works if you log what you're eating. I wish you success on your journey

Mark

FluffyFontaine

Thanks for sharing! I've been a shift worker for 9 years, but it's only in the last two that I've been single and really struggling with what to do with my down time. For the most part, I love working shifts, but the affect it's having on my social life lately is really bringing me down. Ugh!