Ideas on dieting and working night shift

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2003

1000 calories a day!!! No wonder you didn't lose any weight- I don't think a diet that low (I'm no expert, mind you...) actually allows you to lose weight. I am a firm believer in the 'starvation mode' theory, and I am a walking example. I believe everything I've ever read about how, if you deprive your body of enough calories for a certain amount of time, your body hangs on to every calorie it DOES receive to feed itself (in other words, it doesn't know when or what it's going to eat again, so it hoards the calories for future use). I'm no skinny minnie, but since nursing school and until very recently, I ate about one meal a day. Drank Coke like it was nobody's business and only had the time and energy to cook dinner- no breakfast, no lunch...maybe a snack. Usually dinner was NOT low-fat on purpose. I decreased my caloric intake by at least HALF all this time, and continued to stay at almost exactly the same weight (give or take a couple of pounds...fluid weight). The *one* time I changed my eating habits (not including recently, where I'm attempting a total diet/nutrition rehab) I joined WW. I ate more on that plan that I ever ate before- healthier choices, better portions, but I ate ALL DAY LONG it seemed. Had points left over every day and still was full to the gills. I lost 25 pounds in 2 months and felt like a different person. I spent my life in an attempt to be thin, and I've got some horrid stories reaching all the way back to early childhood, but for the first time my body felt good (blood sugar consistent, never hungry, lots of energy, etc.). I also believe, based on years and years of research and reading, that in order to lose weight, your body has to be adequately hydrated. If it's not getting enough caffeine-free liquids every day, your liver, which helps to metabolize fat, has to assist the kidneys, and you therefore lose less weight. I do NOT believe in depriving yourself for weight loss, which, unfortunately, is not a popular train of thought. I am completely against pills of any sort, gimmicks, fads, or trendy 'diets'. I'm not saying it's easy- umm...my thighs can attest to that. ;>P But I truly believe that in this case there is a definite right and wrong way to lose weight, especially weight that should stay gone (and not just trying to lose 5 pounds before the high school reunion types of weight loss- know what I mean?). You know, as an aside, she's a complete kook, but Susan Powter (Stop the Insanity lady?) has some very realistic, honest things to say about weight loss and how to feed your body properly. She's a bit of a political and feminist zealot, and tends to promote a more vegetarian-type lifestyle, but all of that aside, what she has written about ingesting chemicals and high-fat/low-nutrition foods really makes a lot of sense (at least to me!). ;>)

Crawsu · Mar 7, 2003

I love sweet coffee drinks, so I get Davinci sugar free syrup, made with Splenda, no Nutraweet, and use canned no fat milk, it's almost as good as Starbucks! Splenda is actually a sucrose derivative with NO calories. Satisfies the craving for sweet, and the skimmed milk is concentrated so you have more of a creamy milk taste. It makes me happy, with less calories!!

NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN · Mar 7, 2003

What is the Davinci syrup? I've never heard of this. My hubby, a diabetic, is a Spleda convert and I love the stuff. I always felt icky ingesting Aspartame. You know, mentally...knowing possible long-term effects and all.

bagladyrn, RN · Mar 7, 2003

Kristi - you should be able to find the Davinci syrups in the supermarket in the aisle by the coffees (wherever they haave the coffee flavorings, flavored creamers, etc.) They have all different kinds of flavors - for coffee drinks, desserts, etc.

Sleepyeyes · Mar 7, 2003

I work nights too, and it's not easy, but I created my own 24-hour "day" in which I try for consistent meals and snacks.

One thing I LOVE to bring to work is a cup of melon slices. It seems to quench my thirst well and recharges me. I add a dollop of low-fat vanilla yogurt, and it tastes like a treat. Very tasty and very filling.

mario_ragucci · Mar 11, 2003

Think about a dollop of clean air and use your imagination :-) Lol. Sometimes I bring a $5. piece of cheeze with me and cut on it when ever i walk by (frequently). Stilton is so addictive :-(

Melons are divine, and we get these Mexican Papayas that are $0.70 per pound and they are lika mellon in size. Don't we all have the eating habits of a hungry seagulls at work? :-(

emc-lpn · Mar 20, 2003

Ok, it's not healthy but here goes. Diet pop with caffeine, peppermints, don't bring food to work, don't eat food at work, go home and go to sleep. Wake up and don't eat, exercise! Yeah, that part sucks. I eat dinner with my family and that's it. I have lost 30lbs since November. I do occasionally have to get the old mountain dew for the caffeine rush. I eat whatever I want on my off days but I am up to 60 min of cardio 6 days a week and 1/2 hr weight training 5 days a week. After writing that I feel like I should be able to eat all that I see and still be thin. If nothing else, diet pop or water. I wasn't even trying to lose weight but one noc all they had was diet pepsi and it wasn't too bad. Lost 6lbs in2wks which got me motivated! Good luck!