Third shift workers & physical activity concerns

fiercekindness

I work 11pm-7am, and I consider my job to be fairly very active. I work was an housekeeper and nursing assistant in a retirement home. There is only so many things you can do at night as residents are sleeping. I would say I am up and moving around for about 80% of the night. So would you agree that my physical activity setting for very active is correct?

Also on my days off to keep myself accumulated I stay on the same schedule. Meaning I sleep during the day and stay awake during the night. It makes sense in my head because I remember how hard it was for me to transition in the first place to working this shift. But with that said, I sometimes wonder about the whole physical activity aspect. I share a home with two other people, so it's not like I can around making noise because they are sleeping. I am naturally a fairly quiet person when moving around the house. Generally they go to bed fairly late like 1am and wake up around 6-7am.

But I don't think it's good for me to just sit around and watch t.v. all the time. Now mind you when they do start waking up, I do then feel more comfortable moving around the house.

Does anyone else do this. I like to keep moving and have physical activity throughout my day. Since my job is across the street, sometimes I go over and just walk around because they have a fitness room. But as the weather is getting colder, I don't think it's likely that will continue very much.

And since I don't own a vehicle and can just leave and go out somewhere. I am left to stay home. Which is okay with me. Typically on the nights I am working, I go into work early and spend 45 minutes to and hour on the treadmill either walking, jogging, or doing intervals. And then when I get home I do like jillian michaels dvd or something like that.

So I what I thought I could do is do one of my in home walking DVD for at least an hour, and then also do a JM dvd or something of that intensity as well. What do you think? Is that enough?

I am just concern that maybe trying to maintain my schedule on my days off maybe doing me a disservice. Although my weight hasn't went up at all, except for the normal weight fluctuations (.05-1lb) that everyone experiences now and then.

DavPul

I'd like to help but there is too much here. Can you please clarify your specific question(s)?

ErinGBragh

Do some weight training videos. P90X or Supreme 90.

krose764

I work 3--12 hour night shifts (7p-7a) a week as a nurse on an acute care floor. Personally, I find that getting my workouts in during the morning hours after I get off work works best for me, especially if I have to work again that night. I usually go to 3 classes a week at the gym like a step aerobics class or bodyworks (uses light weights). Those classes last about an hour each. If I'm more pressed for time, I try to get in at least 30 minutes of cardio (treadmill or eliptical). If the cost of a gym membership is a concern, a lot of community rec centers offer very similar classes for a lot cheaper.

If transportation is an issue, there's also the DVD route that you can do at home if you like. I also have a coworker who incorporates some workout stuff into her night like doing lunges down the hall on her way back to the desk or med room, etc. :laugh: You could try something like that

As for managing other things....I'm one of those that will rotate my sleep-wake cycle depending on whether or not my work days and off-days get clustered the way I like. It doesn't work for everyone. I'll cook enough so that I'll have meals ready-to-heat for a couple of days, that way I'm not scrambling to cook every single day. I also must confess that I rely on a pretty hefty amount of caffeine to see me through some days...