Pulling an all-nighter and night shifts

ArcherGilS
ArcherGilS Posts: 6 Member
edited August 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone,

Just wanted to ask about some things that have been bothering me. I work night shifts, would this affect how much I gain/lose as your body 'clock' isn't used to staying up late. I've heard from some people that your metabolism worsens which can influence your weight. Is this true?

Another question I had is basically about tonight. I'm staying up tonight (no work) to sort out my sleeping pattern - I prefer sleeping at nights during my days off. I'm not sure whether it's a good idea to go gym today having been up for 13 hours, since I'll have to stay awake for a further 12 hours after that. I'll need energy drinks just for day (got sugar free/low calorie ones) to help stay awake.

Thanks

Replies

  • KateTii
    KateTii Posts: 886 Member
    1. Not really - there may be some effect, but it should be so minimal it's not worth worrying about. The main effect of not much sleep/changing sleep patterns is that you have more hours in the day to be tempted by food and burn more calories being awake.

    2. You could go to the gym, but I know when i'm sleep deprived, trying to lift heavy things and concentrate is a recipe for disaster. Personal choice for you there.
  • JukeboxHeroine
    JukeboxHeroine Posts: 348 Member
    I'm a night shift nurse and I've lost 22lbs in less than 3 months. It's actually helped me because I sleep during the day. When I'm off I take a nap on the day my shift ends and get back up. I try to go back to bed around midnight. This helps me reset. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. As far as working out, it may give you energy. You have to spend energy to make energy. Good luck!
  • ArcherGilS
    ArcherGilS Posts: 6 Member
    KateTii wrote: »
    1. Not really - there may be some effect, but it should be so minimal it's not worth worrying about. The main effect of not much sleep/changing sleep patterns is that you have more hours in the day to be tempted by food and burn more calories being awake.

    2. You could go to the gym, but I know when i'm sleep deprived, trying to lift heavy things and concentrate is a recipe for disaster. Personal choice for you there.

    This is exactly what's killing me right now, I'm starving haha. Don't want to overdo it. Thanks for the info

    supernurse_84 wrote: »
    I'm a night shift nurse and I've lost 22lbs in less than 3 months. It's actually helped me because I sleep during the day. When I'm off I take a nap on the day my shift ends and get back up. I try to go back to bed around midnight. This helps me reset. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. As far as working out, it may give you energy. You have to spend energy to make energy. Good luck!

    That's amazing, congrats! I wish I could nap here and there - I only manage to sleep when I'm extremely tired.

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