Rules for working midnights when you don't get to sleep

jrlenig
jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Ok I have been a CNA for 4 years, that is not what scares me...since I have been on my lifestyle change( 1 year was Dec 27th) I have only worked sporadically, I will probably only work 2 to 3 days a week now, but and this is a huge BUT...it's midnights and it is likely that I will not sleep ( except for a nap in the am) the next day b/c I can't, I have done this before the LSC. I am not sure how to balance foods it is not like I can go a whole another 12 hours on just the 1200-1500 calories, any suggestion would greatly helpful, how to I figure the extra 12 hours, maybe I should be giving my self another 1000 calories on those days ( since I estimate that I get about 95 calories an hour while I am awake now) or do I give myself an extra 450( which is 60 cals an hour per day(24 hours) and 450 would be 7 extra hours of awake time...sorry i am sacred about this, not only that, I know that I am going to have to cut my workout time to 4 days instead of 5 or 6, b/c school f/t, 2 kids and a part-time(really physical job) don't leave with as much time for my workouts( however when spring comes, I am going to walk my lunch at work, it is a well lite area and I love the fresh air after smelling a nursing home all night long)(originally posted as a blog but really looking for some input!)

Replies

  • alyssa92982
    alyssa92982 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Id also like to know this as I will be going back to work this week on midnight shift full-time too:-(
  • EDBENAGLIO
    EDBENAGLIO Posts: 424
    GET AND USE A HRM AND WATCH THE CAL BURNED AND EAT TO THAT
  • SISMELLON
    SISMELLON Posts: 19 Member
    I dont know if this will help but I work 12 hour nights. I start counting calories when I wake up and stop when I go to sleep. I have worked nights a long time and the most important lesson I learned is you have to get the right amount of sleep. Weight is easy to put on when working nights you start snacking when your trying to stay awake. Count thoose calories while working. good luck
  • agibsonky
    agibsonky Posts: 124 Member
    I work nights 7 on 7 off...the only day I don't sleep is my going off day. I don't usually give myself any extra calories that day - I start counting at midnight, I eat at around 3-4am, eat again when I get home about 10 am or so, a snack right before going to the gym at about 1 pm, then dinner with my family around 6 pm. I'm usually in bed by 8 pm that night, so I end up with about 26 hours awake, but am only counting my calories for about 14 of those...the rest are on the previous day. Plus, I usually don't feel like eating when I'm really tired anyway, so it typically isn't a problem. I do, however, have a caffienated beverage (coffee or diet soda) that afternoon to make it until bedtime, but I log the calories if I drink the coffee.
  • jrlenig
    jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
    GET AND USE A HRM AND WATCH THE CAL BURNED AND EAT TO THAT
    I have one but I am pretty sure the manual will not for for the extra 12 hours you know I would probably forget, but I could look into a body media system
  • jrlenig
    jrlenig Posts: 364 Member
    I dont know if this will help but I work 12 hour nights. I start counting calories when I wake up and stop when I go to sleep. I have worked nights a long time and the most important lesson I learned is you have to get the right amount of sleep. Weight is easy to put on when working nights you start snacking when your trying to stay awake. Count those calories while working. good luck
    I won't sleep but 3 extra hours the day in between the 2 shifts on my other day, it will be a true test, thanks everyone for your advice!
  • SISMELLON
    SISMELLON Posts: 19 Member
    Working nights is difficult and hard on your body. I feel your pain, I worked nights raised kids and divorced. Finding sleep is the hard part. I would not add any extra calories on the long days, I would streach out the meals to several small ones. Choose meals with protein and what ever food choices fill you up for longer periods of time. A person would think you would lose weight staying awake longer, but it doesn;t work that way.
  • arcana7609
    arcana7609 Posts: 212 Member
    I would be interested in what to do as well. I work 4 10 hour nights. 9pm to 7 am. I usually just take my 34oz of water and drink it and don't eat. I usually don't eat when I get home and just eat when I wake up and before I go to work.

    It's a hard cycle for me to break. I prefer to just eat one big meal a day and then maybe a peanut butter sandwich before I go to work.
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