Tired Night Nurse seeks accountability

rachelford84
rachelford84 Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi! I’m here for motivation and accountability! I’ve got a 1 year old and a 3 year old and work full time as a night shift RN. My issues are a combination of factors: Baby weight, slower metabolism now that I’m in my mid 30s, working nights shift and the stress of the pandemic the last couple years. Between working mandatory overtime on a covid unit and taking care of my family I’ve put myself on the back burner. My current weight is 226, My goal weight is 150. Prior to having my 1st son a few years ago I was a comfortable 140 but I’m older, wiser and trying to set realistic goals.
I know how to eat healthy, stay active and lose weight but I really need accountability and motivation to do that. I need to not rely on fast food or convenience meals when I’m short on time to feed my family or it’s 2am and the vending machine at work is calling me. I need to track what I eat and meal prep Every.Single.Day. So I don’t fill myself with 100s of empty calories by finishing of my kids snacks and sandwich crusts. I need motivation to get my *kitten* moving and active on my days off. My husband is also committed to taking this journey with me but ultimately it’s up to me to do this. Any and all suggestions, tips, motivation etc would be hugely appreciated especially anything on terms of doing this with a young family (ie: picky toddlers!) or in regards to being successful while working nightshift. Thank you all!

Replies

  • JBanx256
    JBanx256 Posts: 1,479 Member
    I work rotating shifts, so am on night shift half the time. I'm also a parent. Meal prep, for me, is key. Once a week or so I prepare all my work meals & snacks (so I can ignore the vending machines!), then when it's time to leave the house I just grab what I need for the shift and I'm good to go. I log/track all my foods, pre-logging all my prepped stuff. I go to the gym and walk the dog every day before my shift (which is 12 hours, so yeah I'm cutting into my sleep time, but everything in life is a trade-off). I lift weights 5-6 days/week and except on very rare occasions, I'm getting in >10K steps per day.

    Also, your metabolism does NOT slow down once you hit 30.
    Or 40.
    Or even 50.
    Until you hit 60, that excuse just isn't legitimate.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34385400/
  • Eric50877
    Eric50877 Posts: 7 Member
    Nightshift worker here with an extremely irregular schedule. Not many things take overnights into consideration when it comes to guidance. Frustrating.
  • TheKookyKiwi
    TheKookyKiwi Posts: 68 Member
    edited October 2021
    Can definitely relate! There was a time where I was working a full time job + full time single mom duties + studying a degree and post degree diploma (in my spare time).

    I just want to say, do not beat yourself up about selecting convenience options. Convenience options have their place - especially if it means they save you from driving yourself into the ground even further (which isn't a good thing).

    If being healthier and/or controlling calories is your goal - just be mindful of which convenience options you choose and the portions you eat.

    I purchased take-out meals on a regular basis, but I went to the local roast place, or a sandwich place (for example) - not those other outlets I shall not name :)

    The alternative, if you are wanting more home prepared meals, is to pick one day and commit that to making pre-prepared meal portions. Then you can just grab and run on your busy days!
  • TheKookyKiwi
    TheKookyKiwi Posts: 68 Member
    edited October 2021
    For picky children - I find offering options works. You think of 3 options that work for you and then let the kids choose from those options (Be firm on the no other options though!). Also for some children it's less about the ingredients and more about the meal option. We all get bored with same old meal options sometimes - so perhaps try the same ingredients but swap to a new recipe? I pretty much change up my menu book each season - just for a change. Example: Instead of separate potato, meat & veges - mash the potato then put it all together and make fritters or patties. If you are having trouble getting to eat a certain thing - mix it in with something they like (mixed veges IN a meat pattie or IN an egg omelet).

    For you - I would suggest planning your menus monthly or weekly (that's more feasible than daily) and have a few 'safe' alternatives, such as pre-prepared frozen meals that you can dish up with little effort, when the you don't want to stick to the menu, or pre-approved take-away options.

    Also for you - I would suggest you head off that 2am craving by deliberately eating a pre-approved snack at say 1am. OR - let yourself have that snack but just factor it into your daily menu budget??
  • PAPYRUS3
    PAPYRUS3 Posts: 13,259 Member
    I can only imagine how tired and stressed out you are being a nurse and all....

    I just wanted to THANK YOU for all the work that you have done - I'm in absolute awe of those that work in hospitals!

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