I am a Female, 26, 110 lbs, 5ft 3" and have been working nocs for over a year, with a combination of both 8 and 12 hr shifts. I have heard from many of my coworkers that they gained weight working nights. Personally, I had lost around 5lbs because I missed meal times during the day. My work schedule is 10 p.m - 6:30 am or from 6pm-6:30am. I noticed that I only sleep 5-6 hours a day now that I work nights, during the days off I get 6 or more hrs of sleep. I eat a small breakfast after I get back home and then rest until I fall asleep. I wake up between 2-5pm, another small meal and eat small dinner close to 9pm, and last meal time is around 2:30am.
Things I do
I pack my meal from home
I only drink tap water or hot tea.
I always take cold fluids (water) before eating, not after because it slows my digestion and makes me Irregular.
I only drink warm fluids with meals, such as green tea (no sugar/salt). I don't drink coffee, the amt of caffeine gives me palpitations, hyperventilation and peristalsis)
I am not a fan of fried foods (fries, burgers, chips, wings) gives me pimples. I eat these only once in few months.
I only eat whole wheat/grain bread, white bread gives me flatulence
I stay away from processed foods all together, too mch salt which makes me feel dehydrated and leaves my head spinning.
I never liked dressings of any sorts (ranch, mayonnaise, sour cream)
Things I DON'T do
Buying from vending machines
Eating sweet or any desserts, I substitute sweet deserts for sweet fruits such as bananas, kiwi, grapes, cantaloupes
Drink soda or any cold drinks esp. after meals.
things I can't help
I get cravings for chocolate before I get my periods (My nose becomes sore after I consume sweets, and that's when I put a break)
No one in my family is over weight
I skip my break and settle for quick stops at the fountain if it gets really busy.
Things that I have been trying for my sleep (Hot milk, Chamomile tea, reading, dimming room, drinking less fluids before bedtime)
Oh and one more thing, I don't exercise other than occasional stretching here and there. Even though I think I do enough running around at work, I would like to exercise regularly in future.
