Big Problem: SCARED

I will be 1 year out March 9th.  I've lost 125lbs.  I want to loose another 45 to get down to 140.   I've got 2 problems that are really scaring me.  I work nights, 12 hour shifts, 7P-7:30A.  I ususally work 2-3 days in a row then have 2-4 days off.  This gives me a work life and a home life.  The problem is my hunger/eating gets adjusted to the night shift life; meaning eating around midnight and 3am.  Then, when I'm home and sleeping at night, I get shifted to a different time frame of eating.  Now throw in the fact that I've rediscovered carbs and the hunger feeling!  I've hit a plateau and I'm really scared.  I'm so afraid I'll crash and burn here.  I'm having an awful time trying to get my eating rearranged for each schedule.  When I'm home, my hunger doesn't start to kick in till around 9pm, then I get progressively hungrier till around 3-4 am.  When I'm home, it doesn't seem that my stomach wakes up until about 9pm.  THEN...I want to graze, and I'm tempted by carbs.  I'm hoping spring and nicer weather will aford my the opportunity to get out and be more active.  Any ideas out there?  I'm a labor & delivery, and high risk labor and delivery RN, so when I work I walk a lot.  It's when I'm home that I have so much trouble.....lots of nervous energy that I can't seem to channel.  Sometimes I wonder if the carbs and need for activity are causing me to feel hunger and desire to graze.  HELP!!!!!!

Yes your new carbs are making a monster!  Im sorry your on a bad path but you can do this... you need to sit and remember how you felt when you were heavy and how happy you are with how you look right now. Then look at that next bad food choice and get angry at it. SF popsicles save me when Im feeling that way. You can do this... get an ex picture of yourself and put it in your wallet or on your fridge.. so there you are staring back at you ! Go girl!! 

Linda.........Thank you!  You are right.  It is a "bad path"  Your advise is great.  One question; have you personally had a problem with SF stuff triggering carb hunger or just simple hunger?  I'm beginning to think my SF drinks are doing this!  I've noticed recently that the more SF stuff I have, the more I crave food.  Strange.  Thanks and take care. Tgarr

I havent experienced that personally, but there was talk about diet pops doing that because ( I think ) mentally we think we are saving on calories and stuff.  But not sure that applies in our case. I know the fight over food is very hard for me when Im mentally low, or tired.    My advice would be... weigh your self everyday this week and write everything you put in your mouth down.  Ill bet you notice a difference. The isle of denial is not a good place.  Ya cant argue with black and white! Hugs... have a super day...

i can totally understand what you are saying, as my son used to work nights and his eating schedule was always so wierd. my best suggestion is to make sure you keep the foods you know you should be having in plentiful supply at home.  and keep carbs out of the house as much as possible.  they are so dangerous i fight with myself about that many days. maybe look for some new high protein foods that will tempt you again as opposed to bad foods. sometimes just changing things up is helpful. and most of all keep reaching out to all of us, we are here for you. hugs, jacki

Jacki, What a sweet supportive note.  Thank you....I like the idea of checking out new high protein foods.  You know, just getting fresh perspectives on issues really can lighten the burden.  Thanks for the help.  Hugs right back at ya! Tgarr

It would be so hard to work that schedule. Finding a routine that works for you is very important. I remember Tooter always called when she ate "feedings" instead of breakfast, lunch and dinner b/c she didn't eat on a regular schedule, but just stayed within in her calorie range for the day no matter what tiime of day she ate.  First off, "bad carbs" will make you feel hungrier. Good carbs like multigrains, whole grains, fruits, etc are needed in some amount daily, especially if you workout. Grazing is something that alot of us struggle with~I usually eat 6x's throughout the day which some may see as grazing, but it keeps my blood sugars level and I feel better eating smaller meals several times instead of 3 large meals~maybe that would stop you from grazing??Also, if you can get some activity that should help with your nervous enegy.  If you track your calories and stay within your range for the day it shouldn't matter what time of day you eat. That being said, eating a little something when you wake up (breakfast time) is so important for getting your metabolism running for the day, so don't skip it. When I don't have any appetite at the time of  day I will just have a protein shake so its not too heavy on my tummy. Good Luck to You!

Tracy, I'm so glad to hear that other folks feel better with the 6 smaller meals.  I had been eating that way...protein first...untill the holidays.  I started worrying that it was "grazing" and switched to the more traditional 3 meal a day routine around the holidays...plus added some carbs about the same time.  I see that this was a BIG MISTAKE!  Gonna fix that right now.  Just stating the problem gives a sense of control...sort of.  I'm going back to what worked and listen to MY body. Thanks for the help...I do  appreciate it.  Tgarr

I'm lucky in that I don't work the crazy hours that you do, but I can relate to the hunger and carb troubles (I'm almost 19 months post-op). I have so much energy since I've lost weight, and I can't seem to sit still. The best thing for me to do is get up and run up & down some stairs, take a long walk, or do some kind of exercise, but it's not always possible to do that. So I find myself running to the kitchen and getting something to eat. Like Terry, I eat every 2 or 3 hours, but some days I find myself wanting to eat 30 minutes later instead of 2 hours later. My plan is to set myself around a clock - if I feel hungry, just wait until it's time to eat again, surely I can make it a couple of hours, and then eat something with lots of protein and fiber instead of something that will make me feel bad and even hungrier. I know it's hard, but we knew it would be hard, and it's so worth it. I read the previous posts to your thread, and I agree it's important to remember how we used to feel. I never want to feel that way again, and I think giving up some junk food is a good trade-off. I think we'll just need to find something else to fill that void, something to keep our hands busy, anything besides eating empty calories.

Wanda, I appreciate your support.  It is so nice to feel nurtured.  I usually do all the nurturing as an RN.  It's so easy to forget that I need to be ministered to....too.  Thank you so much for sharing.  Like you, I have that crazy energy thing going.  When I read that you hit the kitchen, I realized that I'm doing that too.  I really think I'm mistaking hunger for just the need to get moving.  I'm gonna substitue moving my feet for chewing! Take care and thanks! Tgarr