Working 12 hour shifts

I just lost my job 2 days ago.... but.... when I was working, I worked at hospital as a receptionist 8.5 hours a day. I would get up early... or come straight home and exercise afterwards. A gym also sounds good. Also... try walking during your lunch hour. Taking the steps everytime you have to go somewhere. Etc... etc... etc...

I to am a nurse and work 12 hour shifts 3 days a week. On the days I work I walk the hospital on my lunch hour and that has really helped me. I also drive a hour each way so up at 5am and home at 9pm . I am so tired in the am and after work the only thing I can do is walk on my lunch hour. Hope this helps you out it has helped me.

I understand where you are coming from. It's hard to find the energy to get up early, or do it late after a 12 hour shift. Do the best you can on the days you have off I guess. Keep positive thoughts in your head. Sometimes the thought of not doing something can happen in as little as 2-3 seconds. Try to keep ahead of that part of the brain that reasons you out of not working out. Like Nike said "Just Do It!", and make that decision before your brain starts to create those reasons to not work out (I'm tired, don't feel like it, etc.). Happy, and healthy wishes to you.

I am in care work and some of my shifts are 15 hours. On my days off I tend to hit the gym. This week I only got to the gym once, was a little tired.

I worked in retail management years ago (during college and little while after)...very long days (12-16 hours). I managed to workout on my days off before classes and on my lunch breaks. When I graduated and started my career in Human Resources, I worked out at 4:30 am because I had a two hour commute to my office (both ways). Then I got tired of that and started going after work. I lost 14 pounds but I literally woke up, went to work, went to the gym, came home...for an entire year! It was exhausting. Plus I traveled for work...my diet and exercise routine went down the drain.

Now, I have a much more flexible schedule and career (I work from home most days of the week). I get up first thing in the morning...around 6:00 am and work out until 7:30 am or so...before I have to get my baby up for preschool (on Tuesdays and Thursdays). On the days my baby isn't in school, I get up at 5:00 am to work out. I don't like getting up this early, but if I don't my workout will not get done.

I wouldn't be too hard on yourself. You might consider working out during your lunch break. Try power walking around the hospital for 30 minutes or so (if you can). If you are able to get up 30 minutes early, use that time for a quick workout (i.e. workout DVD, online workout ). You have to be creative when you do shift work. I totally feel you!

Work out on your days off and take a brisk walk on your lunch hour.

I know it is hard when you work at a hospital. I worked 5 days a week and took kids to school and dance, etc, etc, and yes my husband helps me when I can not be there. My hours at the hospital are rotating so I do not have a set schedule, just work out on your days off. When you work 12 hours shifts you have 4 days off, unless you pick up extra shifts and we all know the extra pay and the bonus make up for the extra day. You can do it girl!!

I've been there (kind of)! This summer I used to get up at 6.30am and take a 2 hour bus ride (which was always hot and smelly and full) in my suit to work because I was desperate for money. I would start work at 10am tired and sleepy and sometimes sweaty from the bus ride. What was even worse that I wasn't really friends with anyone at work because it was just a summer job and I never got a chance to get to know anyone outside of work. So I was a tired, poor and lonely guy who wanted to get fit. I would finish at 5pm run to get my 5.30pm bus. Half the time I missed it and would have to wait 3 hours (8.30pm) for the next one (and then spend money I didn't have to buy overpriced food that wasn't healthy), half the time the bus was late by at least 30 minutes. Sometimes I would have to spend 1 and a half hours in the sweltering heat or the pouring cold and rain (crappy English weather!).

I'd get home at a stupid hour between 8pm-11pm) depending on whether the bus was late or whether I missed it, workout, or have something to eat then workout. Have dinner and go to bed and do it all over again.

By the end of the summer though, I got in better shape but I was completely and utterly exhausted from it all.

I am a nurse as well, but I lucked out with 8 hour shifts, When I do pick up a 12+ hour shifts I find it helpful to have some gym equipment at home so I can get in a 30-45 min burst. I have a pull up bar, Rogue rings, kettlebells up to 35lbs, dumbells, and my new personal favorite Rubberbanditz resistance bands. Having the equipment at home is really helpful to get a work out in quick. And it just so happens I am doing 16 hours today hah...