Greetings. Deb is going to put a sticky on this thread and eventually delete the other.
This is the thread where members come to share their journey to wellness and wholeness.
It's a holistic thread, talking about all apects of health, not just diet and exercise, but the mind and spirit as well. All posters are welcome (not just Premium Members) and encouraged on a periodic basis to share what you're doing, what you need to do and how you're going to do it, and what you know!
Tweety, glad to hear from you again. I was afraid all of us gals was scaring you away
Rain, I always eat before bed--whether I'm thin or curvy (trying to frame this postively). I sleep better and wake up less cranky. Usually cold cereal with milk does the trick.
Adrien, I hate that upside-down feeling my stomach gets during the night shift. Why is that? From serotonin? I don't feel much like eating, but I end up eating chocolate and chips from the break room. . . always too many people willing to share the *bad* food. If I eat some toast with butter and jam or heat up some of the flavored oatmeal (apple cinnamon or maple brown sugar) that seems to help.
any tips about what to eat during the night shift that is semi nutritious. Working nights turns my stomach and all I seem to want to eat is chips.
Welcome Adrienurse!
As Muffie says, we are somewhat Wannabee Health Freaks here! Definitely a place for encouragement, as well as a place to confess your 'sins' so you can to on and sin again! :chuckle
I did nights for years, and some of my stomach thing was just from plain ol lack of sleep mixed with too much coffee. Drinking more water (don't remember decreasing the coffee that much) actually helped some.
I found Peanut butter sandwiches (whole wheat bread, some of that nice stuff with the nuts in it...) helps - with jelly, or honey if you like for a change. Also cans of soup, chicken of some sort was my favorite. Instant oatmeal is easy and quick too. The soup and oatmeal store well in your locker for emergency use. Oh and some pasta meals tasted good, tho I couldn't do a lot of tomato sauce on nights - too acid. Something more like chicken with sauce of some sort with veggies thrown in. How's that for a vague sort of recipe?
Hi everyone - sorry, in a hurry - been bad today, will try to be better tomorrow. Clinicals this weekend, so at least i know I will get exercise - LOL!
Going through a lot of stress over the last 3.5 years and specific stresses over the last 2-6 months. Went through a breast tumor scare, left my job of 16 years (part of the stress of last 3.5 years) and pursuing new career in nursing (long term). Finishing CNA clinicals next week. I take 2 medications for depression (Zoloft for 10 years/Wellbutrin for 2+ years) - but, haven't taken Wellbutrin for last 2 weeks (no prescription insurance due to job loss) and it really hit me today. I had a bad morning. My eating has been out of control (obese to begin with) and I'm extremely tired. I'm going to give in a pay for Wellbutrin despite no insurance. I really need it. I don't know if anyone else suffers from depression - but, it's something that, after a period of time, I think I should just be able to deal with. Not so. I am so overweight and tired - that I have no energy to begin moving to feel better. Any suggestions on something to jumpstart energy level. I'm really getting concerned about how my lack of energy, depression and poor eating could snowball to a point of no recovery. Thank you in advance for you responses.
:kiss :icon_hug: Sounds like you've hit a rough patch. My stress level rose just reading your post. If you call your doctor and explain your situation he may be able to give you some starter packs of Wellbutrin at no cost. It's terrible how much medications cost when you really need them.
Depression can absolutely be a chronic illness; no shame there--you are dealing with it by taking the meds your body needs and seeking help.
I think it might be a good idea to start small--set small goals that are do-able. Don't set a goal to lose a certain amount of weight in a week, but choose to exercise three times and add a fruit a day, add a piece of whole wheat bread to your food choices. Somehow it seems easier to add foods than take them away
This is an amazingly supportive group, so use us :).
The best way to get more energy is to expend some. It's tempting to decrease your food intake and up your exercise in order to lose weight, but doing that just makes me tired and cranky. If you're not used to exercising, even a walk to the end of the block will make a difference. It seems I recall reading in nursing school that serotonin regulates appetite (I'd look it up, but I can't even stay current with this semester without looking up stuff from the last) as well as making you feel good. Exercising makes such a difference.
I take Lexapro and it seems to work so much better when I work out. My psych says you can't run off depression, but I really think it makes a difference.
Anyway, I'm sorry. I hope things start going better for you soon.
Hiker, I know I'm with good people and you wouldn't scare me away, although I couldn't keep up there for a while.
Stress can indeed lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, which leads to a spiral downward. Been there and done that and it's a battle with me. My recent divorce and financial struggles has jumped started a downward spiral for me. Baby steps.
Instead of my usual Asian high sodium stir fry last night I had salt-free stir fry. It wasn't bad. I'm going to try to watch my sodium and coffee intake and see if it impacts my blood pressure which has been creeping up the past few months.
Hiker, I know I'm with good people and you wouldn't scare me away, although I couldn't keep up there for a while.
Stress can indeed lead to fatigue, depression, weight gain, which leads to a spiral downward. Been there and done that and it's a battle with me. My recent divorce and financial struggles has jumped started a downward spiral for me. Baby steps.
Instead of my usual Asian high sodium stir fry last night I had salt-free stir fry. It wasn't bad. I'm going to try to watch my sodium and coffee intake and see if it impacts my blood pressure which has been creeping up the past few months.
Hi tweets. Despite the sodium, I read this week that soy sauce (not the light variety) is rich in antioxidents. What do you usually use to flavor stir fry? What are you doing differently?
Although I do go completely nuts and lose all self control whenever I see potato chips, I find just not adding salt to food (at the table and while preparing) helps a lot (I've been on BP meds for almost 5 years).
Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
- but, haven't taken Wellbutrin for last 2 weeks (no prescription insurance due to job loss) and it really hit me today. I had a bad morning. My eating has been out of control (obese to begin with) and I'm extremely tired. I'm going to give in a pay for Wellbutrin despite no insurance. I really need it.
Definitely don't want to stop the wellbutrin suddenly! can you get samples from the doc for now? I can see how you would be having a hard time!
I think if you get on board with the wellbutrin again it will put things in perspective a little better - SO overwhelming right now I'm sure! Then you can chip away at each of your challenges as you see fit.
When I am depressed I can't start on ANYthing. (for that matter even when I'm NOT it's hard!)
Welcome to the thread and come back often to let us know how you are! {{{{{{{{RMBnAZ}}}}}}}
hikernurse
1,302 Posts
Yep