Dieting on a weird schedule

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Diva Martine - 23 Mar 2004 05:14 GMT

I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.

The problem is that I have a really weird schedule and I have a lot of
trouble "converting" normal diets into diets that fit my lifestyle.

For instance... I work the 11pm to 7 am shift. So I sleep from 8 am to
about 3 or 4. I have NEVER been one to eat breakfast cereal (even when I
got up at 8 am like the rest of the world). So my first meal of the day is
usually the equivalent of "lunch" that is a sandwich with accompanyments
such as a pickle, a few chips and "maybe" a cookie for lunch - as I am NOT a
big sweet eater at all.

My lunch (at about 10 pm) is usually a nice hot meal (I live close to work
and usually run home for dinner). On any given day I might have some chili
or stew or a chicken pot pie.

Finally, I usually have a small "dinner" when I get home before going to
bed. I have been told conflicting stories about whether this is bad or not.
For every one person that tells me you shouldn't eat before going to bed
another says its ok. Go figure.

Dinner is usually a sandwich or might be a slice of left-over pizza. Maybe
a small salad.

Like I said, I don't eat sweets generally and have maybe one soda every two
weeks if I go to a fast food joint like McDonalds.

Where can I find a diet that understands my goofy lifestyle and that I can
incorporate into my schedule?

Any assistance is gratefully appreciated.

DIVa

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The Queen of Cans and Jars - 23 Mar 2004 05:54 GMT

> I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
> feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> Any assistance is gratefully appreciated.

you don't need a special diet. your lifestyle isn't the problem - it's
your attitude. where is it written that you have to eat cereal for
breakfast? you can eat whatever food fits into your eating plan at any
time of day, regardless of what the meal is called. i eat tuna salad
for breakfast all the time, for example. no one's showed up to take me
to breakfast jail yet.

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Merryl - 24 Mar 2004 00:44 GMT

There's nothing wrong with eating a sandwich for "breakfast". There's
nothing wrong with eating cereal for lunch (if it's on your plan), or
eggs for dinner.

With just 40 lbs to lose, you might want to just make small changes in
your eating. Avoid sugary sodas and beer. Replace those chips with a
salad.

If you're fighting a "beer belly", you might want to look into the
South Beach diet. You may have an insulin problem like so many of us
do.

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Jayjay - 23 Mar 2004 14:27 GMT

>I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
>feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
>DIVa

There is no rule that says the breakfast has to be cereal, or eggs and
toast. Nor does lunch have to be sandwhich and chips and dinner
doesn't have to be meat an potatoes.

There is no rule that says you have to eat 3 squares a day. Matter
of fact - research shows that eating several smaller meals thruout the
day tends to regulate metabolism and hunger better and helps you lose
more weight.

There is nothing wrong with getting up and having salad as your first
meal. And there's nothing wrong with having an omlette for dinner

What you have to do is to come up with eating habits that will give
you an overall calorie deficit. Sweets or not - the reason you are
40lbs over weight is because you eat too much. Too much salad can
make you fat. Too much salad dressing can make you fat. Too much of
ANYTHING will make you fat.

Many times I'll have some cottage cheese for breakfast, a salad for
lunch, 2 snacks of fruit or cheese and a dinner of an omlette.

Portion control, calorie counting, carb counting, fat counting... it
all boils down to eat less, exercise more, repeat forever.

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J.J. Marie - 23 Mar 2004 17:47 GMT

Hark! I heard jjf_71@notmail.com (Jayjay) say:

> >I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
> >feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.

<snip>

> There is nothing wrong with getting up and having salad as your first
> meal. And there's nothing wrong with having an omlette for dinner

Amen to that! Even before I started dieting, I would eat leftovers
for breakfast and eggs for dinner. Food is just fuel, and most of
us take in more than we need, regardless of time of day.

> What you have to do is to come up with eating habits that will give
> you an overall calorie deficit. Sweets or not - the reason you are
> 40lbs over weight is because you eat too much. Too much salad can
> make you fat. Too much salad dressing can make you fat. Too much of
> ANYTHING will make you fat.

<snip>

> Portion control, calorie counting, carb counting, fat counting... it
> all boils down to eat less, exercise more, repeat forever.

And that's not as complicated as one might think! I was dismayed when
my doctor put me on a lower calorie diet earlier this year -- how to
keeping track of it all? Luckily, there's software (DietPower, Diet
Sleuth) and/or web sites (Fitday.com) that make it very easy. Just
take note of everything you put in your mouth. Keep the calories down,
and losing weight is a simple thing...

Signature

J.J. in WA State - 251/241/150
(Change COLD to HOT for e-mail)

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Ignoramus3985 - 23 Mar 2004 14:50 GMT

Just like the rest of us, you have 24 hours per day. So I see no
problem with you eating right and exercising. Not being able to eat a
cold cereal in the morning is a good thing and not a bad thing. Good
luck.

i

> I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
> feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> DIVa

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Beverly - 23 Mar 2004 18:49 GMT

> I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
> feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.
>
> The problem is that I have a really weird schedule and I have a lot of
> trouble "converting" normal diets into diets that fit my lifestyle.

Most in the group had adapted their way of eating to fit their lifestyle.
Nothing says you have to eat at certain times, places, etc. I change my
eating schedule based on the days of the week. When I work (4 x 10) I
follow one schedule, on weekends I adjust my eating to a different
schedule. I just keep the number of calories around the same for both.

> For instance... I work the 11pm to 7 am shift. So I sleep from 8 am to
> about 3 or 4. I have NEVER been one to eat breakfast cereal (even when I
> got up at 8 am like the rest of the world). So my first meal of the day is
> usually the equivalent of "lunch" that is a sandwich with accompanyments
> such as a pickle, a few chips and "maybe" a cookie for lunch - as I am NOT a
> big sweet eater at all.

What type of sandwich? What do you put on it? What type of bread? How
many is a few chips? The bread should be some type of whole grain and not
white bread. Skip high calorie condiments on sandwiches and use mustard,
etc. Chips can be very high empty calories - just that little handfull
usually has 100 calories.

> My lunch (at about 10 pm) is usually a nice hot meal (I live close to work
> and usually run home for dinner). On any given day I might have some chili
> or stew or a chicken pot pie.

Do you have crackers with the chili? Are your serving sizes the right
portion? All of these foods can be high in calories. How about a serving
of protein and a vegetable?

> Finally, I usually have a small "dinner" when I get home before going to
> bed. I have been told conflicting stories about whether this is bad or not.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Dinner is usually a sandwich or might be a slice of left-over pizza. Maybe
> a small salad.

Again....what type of bread and what's on that sandwich? How much pizza?

You need to track your calories for a few days to determine your current
intake. Many in the group use www.fitday.com . It's free but you need to
register. This is a good way to determine what you can change in your
current diet to allow for weight loss.

> Like I said, I don't eat sweets generally and have maybe one soda every two
> weeks if I go to a fast food joint like McDonalds.

Are you drinking diet soda? Changing to diet can save quite a few empty
calories. What do you order at McD? Many of the items on their menu are
very high in calories and fat. Are you ordering a salad? If so, how much
dressing are you putting on it? Dressings again are often high in calories
and fat.

> Where can I find a diet that understands my goofy lifestyle and that I can
> incorporate into my schedule?

Make up your own diet to fit your lifestyle. Try to include whole grains,
fruits, vegetables and good fats.

Are you doing any type of exercise?

Stick around and keep posting. You'll find lots of information and support
here. I'm sure you'll soon discover you just need to make some adjustments
to your current way of eating.

Beverly

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Angie - 24 Mar 2004 01:48 GMT

i worked 11 -7 also and i ate like i would juring the day. when i got up at
night i had breakfast and then i would eat lunch and dinner. i managed just
fine it was hard at first to get on track but pretty much any diet can fit
into a schedule like that you have to make it want to work for you.

Angie

> I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I would
> feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging around.
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> DIVa

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Kasey - 24 Mar 2004 02:47 GMT

>>I have been toying with the idea of going on a diet because I know I

would feel better if I dropped this extra 40 lbs that I am lugging
around. <<

Greetings and welcome.

As others have said, you must adjust your attitude so that you change
to a healthy way of eating/living instead of a diet.

Your first step should be record everything you eat. I swear by
fitday.com, but use whatever you like.

>>The problem is that I have a really weird schedule and I have a lot

of trouble "converting" normal diets into diets that fit my lifestyle.
For instance... I work the 11pm to 7 am shift. So I sleep from 8 am to
about 3 or 4. <<

You work the overnight shift. Nothing weird about that. And what is it
about "normal" diets (whatever those are) that are so troublesome to
"convert" to your lifestyle?

My sked is 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., although I often start earlier and
almost always stay later. I've certainly had difficulties in adjusting
to a healthier way of eating, but my schedule has not been an issue.

Good nutrition doesn't require a 9-to-5 schedule.

Also, you will need to exercise. Again, what time you exercise does
not matter. What matters is that you exercise.

Good luck, and please let the group know how you progress.

Kasey
365/285/???

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