Obesity and shift work in hospital setting.

[martymoose]

Im curious- of those who work shift work- for example, I have been working all three shifts, sometimes all in the same week, and have been obese for a while since i started the job 5 years ago. gained the 40 pounds in the 1st year, and have gained another 20 in the past 2 years. I find myself sleeping only 3-4 hours at a time. eat whatever i can when i can as i never know if or when i will get a break( which I usually don't get)

They say to exercise- how can i do that when i am flipping from day to nite then back to eve in the same week? Of course if you work nites , then you are hungry all the time, and end up eating more at the wrong times.

I've noticed that many of my co- workers who are over age 35 (or even 30) and do shift work are also overweight/obese. The only ones who can pull off the exercise thing and work those shifts are the 20 year olds!

Has anyone else ever experienced this?

[cicatrixx15]

i am 27, will be 28 in july.

powerbar type snacks are my best friend. i love fiber one bars, which only have 140 calories per bar, and the fiber one cereal, which only has 60 calories per serving.

fiber keeps me full and energized, and many of the powerbars also have protein.

me too!! those are my 2 definite staples when i go to the grocery store. i used to get the other fiber one cereal that has flakes, but then i tried the less calorie one and it's good to, so i switched.:)

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Has anyone tried those Special K protein waters?

[Junebugfairy]

as a side note, for some history, i have kept off over 100lbs for almost 10 years. i used to be well over 200lbs, and at age 15/16 i decided to become a healthier teen so i could then become a healthier adult.

i know what it is like to deal with weight and food issues.

i am not a fan of the protein waters. for me to feel satiated in some way, i need to *munch*. i have to have some chewing, munching, etc.. i am sure it is psychological, but hey, it works for me

that is why i like fiber one cereal. i can eat 2 cups of it dry, only 120 calories, and the crunchy mouth moving experience keeps me feeling satiated.

power bars are also awesome, the protein is necessary for me too.

[BluegrassRN]

Hmm, I may need to check out this FiberOne you speak of. In order for my mind to accept it (and to not feel like my grandma, obsessed with fiber and bowel habits), I may have to package it in a Capt'n Crunch box. Once again, it's that psychological-thing.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

i used to do the power bars thing( hmm, i weighed a lot less back then) but i am unable to use them anymore as i seem to have developed an adverse reaction to soy products. seems to have happened after I had my son. are there any protein bars out there with out soy?

[cicatrixx15]

i used to do the power bars thing( hmm, i weighed a lot less back then) but i am unable to use them anymore as i seem to have developed an adverse reaction to soy products. seems to have happened after I had my son. are there any protein bars out there with out soy?

I don't know about power bars but you should try the fiber one bars. They are really good, and it's just like eating regular granola bars with chocolate!

[kcochrane]

I think your major problem is the inconsistent shifts. I agree with the poster than mentioned seeing if you can find a straight shift - even if its nights. It will be easier to get on a regular schedule for eating, sleeping working out.