Logging on Night Shift?

hereIcome
hereIcome Posts: 2 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey guys. This is my first post here on the MFP forum! I just have a couple quick questions for anyone else out there on night shift. I work 7p-7a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as an x-ray tech. I struggle with a couple things. First, I'm not sure how I should log my calories. Do I just log anything after midnight on the next day, or stick with the previous day until I've had rest? I'm really undecided. Second, how do you fight being "hungry" all night? Some nights I can go all night without eating, but others I'm ravenous and there is no such thing as feeling satisfied! I am still pretty new to the overnight thing (6 months) so I know my body is still adjusting. Any and all advice is welcome! Thanks in advance! :)

Replies

  • princessrisariri
    princessrisariri Posts: 162 Member
    Hey there, I do 8pm-8am or 10pm-6am shifts.

    I changed my time zone to match my awake hours (pick something around 12hours diff)

    This way I act as if when it is 8pm on monday it is actually 8am on tuesday, so I eat breakfast type food at that time or before I set off for work at around 6pm, a big meal at around 2am then a middle size one at around 6am, sometimes a snack before I go to sleep in the morning around 10am and that works. I log it as breakfast/lunch/dinner by the timezone in the other country.

    When you switch back to a day pattern you basically have one day where you eat 1 and a half calories and when you switch the other day a day where you eat 0.5 so it evens out.

    I don't go hungry all night, I figure this is my 'day time' so I sleep all day and have 3meals over the evening/night

    It messes up when you see friends before work as well as they are wanting a big evening meal, but it is technically my breakfast so some strange logging of pizza, pasta or even ribs for breakfast then just light graze rest of night to keep me going and in target.

    Hope that helps
  • iveyroze3
    iveyroze3 Posts: 89
    Hi there. I also work nights 1830-0630 three nights a week. I start my new day at midnight. That's what works for me. I have to eat mini meals about every few hours.I drink my water and try to do protein and fruit or oatmeal. I like a fugi apple with a bit of peanut butter or a bit of cheddar cheese. Don't let yourself get too hungry. I stay away from the cafeteria as they have mainly fried food. If I do eat there it is a light soup,yogurt,grilled chicken or veggie burger. Very few sweets or white carbs. I also make sure I get enough fiber. You will just have to see what works for you. Before ,when I worked I only ate once a day,but then I pigged out. That obviously wasn't working. Then I used to go to McDonalds or hardees after work and probably take in like 700 calories and then go to bed. No more of that crap! I'm a nurse,I should know better. I have been doing this since November 2012 and have dropped 30 lbs. I'm pretty encouraged and feel better too.
  • ericahassinistermotives
    ericahassinistermotives Posts: 92
    What I do is make my log a 24 hour log. 12a-9a, 9a-4p, 4p-9p, 9p-12a, and then I have snacks/drinks.
    I worked overnights for over a year.
  • FunnyBunnyHunny
    FunnyBunnyHunny Posts: 102 Member
    Hi there! A fellow 7-7er here. I find it easiest to log on a 24 hour schedule ( anything before midnight goes on one day, after midnight goes on the next. Also, I bring a variety of teas to work to try and curb hunger. Teas are a life saver for me since I sit in an office all night wanting to snack. :)
  • Hbazzell
    Hbazzell Posts: 899 Member
    I changed my meals to time slots instead of "breakfast" "lunch" "dinner". I work a 12 hr shift also, some both days and nights. I consider anything after midnight the next day. It works for me. Honestly though, as long as you are consistant it doesnt matter. Your "new day" can start at your alarm clock time or something. :)
  • hereIcome
    hereIcome Posts: 2 Member
    Yes! I wasn't thinking about consistency, but you're totally right there. Thank you - very helpful!
  • debbiecanada
    debbiecanada Posts: 2 Member
    I work 10:30pm-7am and have finally figured out a plan that works form me. My day starts when Iactually wake up. I normally go to bed around 9am and get up somewhere around 5pm (sometimes earlier) When I eat dinner with my family I just log it as my dinner. Lunch at work I log as lunch and in the morning I log that as breakfest. I guess I sort of work backwards while logging in my food, and then I weigh myself after getting up since technically that's my morning.

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