Calling all nightshift workers!

Kjohnno76

Hi all I am a nurse who has to do nights - I need some advice with regards sticking to calorie. Do u think it is ok to go over as I am burning it off overnight. However metabolism slows down overnight. I really struggle with diet on nights as feel like eating junk as a quick fix for energy. Does anyone have any advice thanks xo

HMVOL7409

This is what I wrote on a previous thread. I'm currently on a 1200 cal plan but upping it next week bc I am under my goal and want more muscle. With night's, you need to keep a consistent schedule so you don't over indulge too much thinking you're automatically burning it off bc some don't. Stick with protein for snacks with whole grains as your carb and you'll have more energy. The junk food issue is why most of the nurses and techs I work with are overweight. I understand it I do, but when I eat junk I'm more sluggish.

From a previous thread:

I work 7p-7a, 3-4 nights a week as a nurse for the last 4 years so I'm use to it. Best time to workout? Right after work. I have my workouts planned for 2 weeks in advance on if I'm going to the gym or going home to run as it holds me accountable. It's hard at times but not impossible. When I work my eating day goes up to midnight then I start the next day. Here is a breakdown of how my last 2 nights went:

Sunday-

Breakfast is later, around 10 am, as I try to sleep in to help me throughout the day and night.
Snack 1-2 pm
Lunch 5:30 pm
Work starts 7 pm
Snack 8:30 pm
Dinner between 10-11 pm
That ends my Sunday eating.

I hold off on breakfast till around 4 am at work bc it gets me through my workout around 7:30-8 am. I have a snack on my way home and then sleep and start over. If I'm not working the following night; I do a normal day schedule.

I don't know if this would help anyone but it's worked for me. I can somehow manage to eat right, workout 6 days a week and do school full time. It takes a lot of planning and tweaking to what your body reacts to.