I got a new job!

[Scubaf250]

So I went from one evil corporation (McDonald's) to possibly another one (Walmart)!

Haha I was the assistant manager at the McDonald's and it was the worst job I have ever had...

I'm an overnight stocker at Walmart and I'm making the same money for an amazingly lower stress level. Also the store manager was messing with our hours worked at mcdonalds (extremely illegal) so I might be making more =P I actually had overtime on my first check.All this time I thought overtime was like a unicorn! Lol

I have the sleep schedule down pretty good, I work 10pm to 7am. Now the only problem is my eating schedules is all messed up. It sounds weird but It messes me up really bad if I don't eat right...

Any suggestions on when to eat when you work 3rd shift?


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[Trochu]

Good luck with it. It seems around here only working 40hr/wk is a unicorn, but, different county, different economy.

[Slim]

In this economy any job is a good job!

During my military career I work strange shifts quite often. I found that smaller, more frequent meals worked for me. At least two of them were what I call "no-prep" meals. Things like Power Bars or Slim Fast shakes (not just for weight loss, BTW). The the other 3 or so meals would be more traditional sandwiches or pasta type dishes in smaller portions.

Good luck with the new job!

[Scubaf250]

Thanks! Yeah it's hard to find full time jobs... This one is part time but I'm ok with that for now haha

As far as eating goes, That's kind of what I've been doing but I want to start working out in the mornings before I go home and go to sleep so I think I should eat a little better because right now my small meals are a candy bar and a soda and 12am, a microwave burrito at 2am, and ether another candy bar or a lunchable at 4am. then a bowl of cereal before I go to sleep some time between 8am and 11am. I think I'll keep up with that schedule but eat something closer to what you described so I'm not stuffing myself with candy haha!

I was at the McDonald's sense I was 18 and now im 23. it was pretty much the only thing I've ate sense then. Surprisingly I'm not overweight for how tall I am but I'm extremely out of shape... I've already lost like 10 pounds in the month I haven't been there and I haven't done anything but stock the freezers!


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[youbeyouibei]

I'll second the smaller, more frequent meals. Also as to working out: I wouldn't recommend it before trying to go to sleep. I work 12's; 6P - 6A and workout before I go in. It helps me to wake up and stay awake/alert for the duration of my shift...for the most part, anyway, lol! Also when you work out your body dumps various hormones into your system and they generally stay active for anywhere from 4-6 hours after your workout; I can't remember what they are exactly but it basically keeps you awake and your body alert until they run their course. Obviously do what works for you and maybe you're the exception to the rule but for me, I can't workout and then get any kind of rest, let alone restful sleep. Congratulations on your job and good luck with things!

[drezden]

Good luck with it. It seems around here only working 40hr/wk is a unicorn, but, different county, different economy.

Stop bragging you Canadian swine! I'm onto your devious plans. Canadians are trained from birth to undermine the U.S. monetary system by sneaking their dirty Canadian coins into our cash registers and vending machines. I think military intervention is required to stop it.

(joke disclaimer)

To the OP though, I could never work a night shift, I'm too prone to depression if I'm forced to sleep during the day. If you do any routine long enough your body will adjust, and so will your eating times. It's not odd that you don't feel good when you don't eat right. People take food for granted.. most people don't understand how much it can effect our bodies and minds. It's like a car, what you put into it you get out.. if you don't change the oil and use the wrong gasoline your engine will wear down quickly. I could have a biased opinion working at a pretentious organic market though. Honestly though, making healthy food choices can have profound effects on your energy levels and mental wellbeing.

[Rob]

7 small meals a day.

[reptileexperts]

I work rotating shifts 5a-5p then 5p-5a. On my night rotation I generally bring smaller snack items with me to nip any hunger at random times. The problem is your digestion is not as effective at night, so your body will naturally gain weight if you don't monitor your food intake closley.

When I first started on nights a year ago, I was trying to eat a Smoothi 5 hours into the shift, then I would have a bowl of cereal or pop-tarts (not that healthy) around 3AM, 2 hours before my shift was up. Before I'd leave for work I'd eat a normal meal around 4 PM that consists of your typical Dinner (supper). Some people I work with fully rotate themselves and eat breakfast when they get in at 5P, and then have a large meal around 11P, followed by small snacks of donuts or honey buns around 8 and 3.

As of recently, I've changed my diet to consist of a Large Tortillia with half a can of veggetarian beans (no lard, fat free), 2% Cheese, some hot sauce, and if I need the extra boost some kind of meat. I eat this around 1030p and drink coffee hard throughout the night (no more than 1 pot over the course of the night). The coffee kills any extra hunger fits and gives me energy to stay alert during the work load. The burrito will pad your stomach and allow you to sustain that "full" feeling for longer without the need to keep snacking.

Stay active when you're off. Don't just sit around at home. The problem as mentioned with shift work or graveyard shifts, is your body will literally expand from your diet habits at night (someone once said its never a good idea to eat anything after the sun goes down). Stay active and mantain some kind of exercise routine between working days. Heck, wake up early enough to get some excercise in before work. I was paddling a kayak once a week for upperbody, and I peddle every other day for 6 miles around town just to get that little bit of extra exercise done. Some days it's hours hiking, some weeks it's too much over time to get any of it in.

None the less, monitor your in take and watch your weight. If you notice yourself rapidly gaining weight evaluate your meals again and reduce, space out, and add more sustainable products to your nightly meal plan.

[Scubaf250]

To youbeyouibi:
I completely forgot about the being wide awake after working out thing!! Im always pumped and want to do something when I get off but I can see how working out would probably drag out that feeling even longer lol!

To Drezden:
Its going to be challenging for me to say the least but I think in the long run it will be worth it =P can't live off fast food forever I suppose......unfortunetly... Hahaha!!


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[Scubaf250]

To reptileexperts:
Thanks for the tips! I did a little bit of overnight at McDonald's and I went from being 145 to being around 180 from that... I thought it was just because I was eating the breakfast food too haha!

Now im around 170 so it's a nice place to start from anyway, I just need to find some kind of motivation to get up and l work out.


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