Liz K. Food glorious food and lots of it. 10 months ago

Gina C. Thanks Liz...it's been hard as I've been working on nights...but I'm trying. 10 months ago

Liz K. Wow, just working nights will change everything...especially REM and if that occurs you will lose a great deal of weight....stay away from anything in a vending machine...will only bloat your body. Good luck with working at night. 10 months ago

Gina C. Thanks Liz...It has been hard...my system is all screwed up...it's so hard because I'm so tired... 10 months ago

Liz K. Hi Gina....you need to reinvent your schedule...think about your hours now and do what you did when working/schooling from society normal 9a-5p, this will enable your body to catch-up with what is normal now for you (not society); i.e. when you work 9am-5pm; you go home, you unwind, then you sit down and eat supper, you normally stay on your feet (or awake) for another 5 to 7 hours; now, when working night shift you need to follow that same routine or you are going to drag your butt everywhere; say you are coming home at 6am; you need to unwind, you need to eat, you need to stay up for at least 3 to 4 more hours against everything that has to do with normal society; then you set your sleep patterns from say 11 am until 6pm or 7pm; no if's, and's, or but's; and you tell all your friends that this is how it is going to be; and YOU DO IT! Your body will catch-up with it and you will relate to it...somedays you can make arrangements for early appointments but if you don't get on a normal schedule; you are going to hit a wall (figuratively) and you are going to lose loads of weight because sleep will become more important then food.

Good luck to you on this schedule...it most certainly is an UGLY schedule and very hard on a woman's body esp. during cycles.

May 'God, bless you,' during this trying time. No matter what, Gina, put yourself on a schedule that works for you or it will literally take you to a doctor, who will then tell you to try to get off the midnight shift (if it is midnight that you are working).

Good luck, Liz ;-( 10 months ago

Gina C. Hi Liz,
This is a lot harder than it sounds...not only am I working nights...I'm working a 12-14 hr day instead of a 8-10 hr day. That makes a huge difference too. My set hours are 7pm to 7am...but I'm usually at work at 5:30-6pm to changeover the shift and I usually don't leave until 7:30-8am. What I've been trying to do is run 2-3 times a week when I get home in the morning...then shower and go to sleep...but it's hard to fall asleep right away sometimes when it's sunny. Then I get up by 4:30-5pm...do small things around the house...then go right back to work. It's a hard schedule, but hopefully (and please keep your fingers crossed for me) it doesn't last all that much longer. It's temporary...just until the union work stoppage is over...so I pray that they negotiate this contract soon and I'm back to days. Thanks for your thoughts. prayers and advice...I will work on it ;) 10 months ago

Liz K. God love you and bless you. I will pray for both you and the union to get back to work. Consider eating raw veggies such as romaine lettuce (as bread) rolled up with either salmon/tuna out of a packet, use hummus/salsa instead of mayo; you are going to need protein to keep up your stamina and not to get sick. These hours are going to kick you in the butt....carrots, celery, just think like a bunny and be a bit more creative. I love you and will keep you in my prayers. Liz K. ;-) 10 months ago

Gina C. Thanks for your prayers Liz...I do appreciate it and I will work hard on trying some of your creative food ideas ;) I have been trying to eat alot of fresh fruits and lots of salad. Unfortunately, late night muchies are hard to not participate in with my coworkers. Did you know Wednesdays is buy one get one free sundaes at Carvels? I didn't before, but I do now! 10 months ago

Liz K. Only a suggestion here...do your morning run then go buy the sundae's, eat one then go to bed; sugar will make you tired and sleepy. Be careful of sugar at night while working esp. during your cycle, it will play against your body and you will get bloated. If you crave chocolate during your cycle, you are lacking magnesium in your diet....if you need sugar which it sounds like you do use a tic-tac at the end of your tongue until you feel the burning sensation, your brain does not distinguish what the hit is whether sugar, caffeine, or a drug related hit; it only wants the satisfaction of the hit and a tic-tac on the end of your tongue will do the trick, believe me it is how I was able to get off of smoking without gaining weight. Also, protein can be beans, chick-peas, kidney, black beans and far better for you late night; bananas have both potassium and magnesium take a whole bunch to work will give you energy without the low level sugar hit....do not allow peer pressure on a late 12 hour day shift to control you or you will be sorry....think of that 5K, think of running....think of steering clear of anything that will make you get sick....think of me thinking of you...and praying for you to make a better choice; do the Sundae's only after
a run and enjoy them to your heart's content then go to bed. Love you and good luck, sweetie. :-) Liz K 10 months ago

Gina C. Thanks for the tips Liz. I appreciate it. I didn't know about that tic tac trick! I'll have to let you know how it all works out. Thanks again...G 10 months ago