For the Birds
July 30, 2010 § 2 Comments
This month of night float is almost over…THANK GOD!
That lifestyle is for the birds
The things that this schedule has done to my metabolism, mood, waistline, circadian rhythm, personal relationships, work ethic are catastrophic. I have never felt more out of touch with the world, even while I made my monthly cross country treks during my last two years of school.
It’s such a struggle for me to look on the bright side of things right now. I hate seeing these changes in my life. I have been venting non stop to one of my favorite people how my life feels so out of whack right now and how I’m not sure how much more of it I can take – having second thoughts on a daily basis and wishing I had chosen surgery or ER over internal medicine. Dammit, I had the scores (I think). Why did I choose internal medicine out of the fear that I wasn’t cut throat enough to survive a surgical residency or fear that I wouldn’t get interviews? Why didn’t I tell the program director at my ER rotation that I would do anything to switch to his program because it was so strong in both didactic and clinical areas? I’m so damn sensitive. Why the hell did I settle? Maybe these ridiculous questions are just part of this treacherous territory. It’ll most likely all work out in the end…only if I get that cardio fellowship (fingers crossed).
The main goal of this post was to highlight how my body and mind have changed drastically this month. I have to look on the bright side and congratulate myself for the strides I know I’ve made. I started spin class when I knew my stress level was a bit high, fell in love with it and now I can’t get enough. I spin about 3 times a week and I’ve continued my C25K on days opposite spinning, almost right on schedule. That’s pretty stinking good, right? I typically only leave one day out of the week to rest my muscles one weekly. I’m so f^&*ng proud of myself for the determination that takes.
There’s a but….
Despite how much more exercise Im getting and how the scale reassures me that things are going well overall, I still look at my gut and overly large chest in the mirror and wonder why they won’t budge. Aggravation! I have attributed it to a few things, all related to night float (for the most part). I’m not doing nearly as much yoga/pilates as I was during my slightly flatter belly days, not eating on a normal diurnal cycle, and not eating the most of the healthy foods I used to crave – simply because night shift is such an abusive schedule on the body. I used to eat once every three hours and barely ate carbs simply because I didn’t crave them. I would have one of the major meals of the day and creaking it up with a Kind bar, fruit, little yogurt shakes, SOMETHING of substance. I can’t eat on my normal schedule when I’m sleeping at odd times and eating when I can. These days all I crave are bagles, Dunkin’ donuts grilled cheese flatbreads, chocolate, sweet breads, chips and salsa, chinese food, salty, and more chocolate. What the F*** is that about? I suppose my body is just in freak out mode because of the change in cycle – I think that’s why the carbs are being over desired. This is no bueno.
so….
I’m going to attempt to take these changes in stride. It’s OK that I put on pound on this week – after all, the nurses loved working with my co-intern and I so much that both the ICU and the ER had little parties for us. That meant pizza, wings, ice cream cake, garden fresh veggies, homemade brownies/choc chip cookies, and my favorite – cheese and crackers. This, by the way, is an extremely rare thing for nurses to do for interns (so I’ve heard) so I’ll give myself (and my co-intern) a huge pat on the back for keeping the RNs happy. (Plus of the month) It’s OK that I ate that way.
I’ll also have to learn to forget the scale for the time being. I didn’t go for my weigh in this week because I knew what the situation was and I didn’t want to be too much harder on myself. I know what this night-style is doing to me so I’m letting it go. Along those lines, I’ll have to let go the negative feelings I have about my job right now. I think the mental and emotional hardship is part of the game at this point and I have to remember that I’m still learning. I think it’ll all be OK at the end.
My main goal of the week will be to add more of my Yoga or Pilates as my schedule changes to day team, finally. I’ll see how that schedule works out and if I have time for the yoga, I’ll do it; if not, then so be it.
Happy Reading 🙂
Down again!
July 13, 2010 § 5 Comments
After all of my endless whining I had my weight in today and was down 1.6 lbs! I couldn’t really believe it; I thought for sure I was either steady state or up a few tenths of a point.
Changes I made this week that may have contributed:
-continued with C25K
-added a yoga session after my run or just a few extra minutes of walking
-instead of hopping on the elliptical on my cross train days like I did in the past, I started adding spin classes into the mix. Three days this week. I still have slight saddle anesthesia, too. 🙂
I haven’t had AS much to eat at work (still eating at night tho) but the only big difference is my my liquid intake. I’ve been trying to save more money so instead of my pre-shift stop at S-to-the-bucks I’ve started brewing my own jasmine or pomegranate green tea. I make it about 30 min before work, add ice to my 32 oz travel jug, add a stick of honey with some Stevia and I’m on my way. Getting that extra fluid really does stave off some hunger.
Thanks for the comments on the last post. Having that extra bit of motivation when I’m feeling defeated by the scale really helped push me to my ultimate 1.6. Thanks 🙂
Side note: while I was at WW for my WI today I noticed they had some chocolate shakes and immediately thought of a new concoction I might try; 1 packet WW chocolate smoothie mix, 1 mini banana, 1 tsp almond butter, 1 tsp instant coffee, 1 packet Stevia. 1/2 cup crushed ice + blender. I actually will try using chocolate almond milk instead of the mix because I ended up buying the pomegranate blueberry smoothie mix instead, with a box of the ranch crackers. I’ll try ’em out and make a few comments later.
totally random, but as I was searching for images to add I came across this little clinical gem and it reminded me how much I love fiber.
Happy…..something 🙂
I am what I eat
July 11, 2010 § 5 Comments
Gross
I feel so gross. Residency finally started and I’m working night float so that means I’m not really eating much because I’ve never been a night eater, right? I thought that when I shifted my sleep schedule that I’d also eat much less and I’d be busy enough to stave off cravings. I couldn’t have been further off. The only accurate part is that I’m not, or at least I didn’t think I was, a nighttime snacker. Working nights has made me soft, literally. Some how I’m hungry every hour. I have been trying to stick within my WW points and pack little 4-point almond butter and banana sandwiches, apple, greek yogurt with granola and fruit, and by sticking to my all bran in the AM. I have even stuck with my eating every three hours rule and have an eating schedule planned out in my head. None of this is helping. For some reason I’ve re-developed my love handles and my abdomen looks like something I’ve only come across on maternity units. My measured weight is actually continuing to decrease while my image in the mirror is NOT what is was when I graduated last month.
I’ve been eating so much more…and not just when I’m at work, it’s mainly when I wake up in the afternoon. I’ve completely let myself go to the point I had TacoBell two times last week while hanging out with the little bad influence Runt-my sister. I hadn’t touched bad-for-you-nutrient-deplete fast food in months. MONTHS. Then she introduced me to the crunch wrap supreme. 12 fucking points. 12!!!!! Mind you, this was at 1 a.m. It’s been downhill from there. I had tiramisu, went to a wedding and had cake and a cannoli, multiple sweet mixed drinks, I’ve even gone back for more TacoBell.
I miss my last few months of people making fun of me for eating so healthfully and for my self-control around desserts/junk at work. I’ve never had control like that before. As much as I say I want to get back where I was with my self control i feel like it won’t be as easy this time because i don’t have a particular goal. Last time it was that I didn’t want my classmates seeing me as a fatty at graduation. I haven’t been able to find a new short term fitness goal. I know this is what works best for me.
The only thing I’ve go going for me lately is that I’ve been exercising A LOT lately. I’ve been doubling up on spin and running; a little speed-junkie I guess. The only thing I really miss is my hot yoga… and I guess pilates. I’m pretty sure those were the two things that really helped me tighten up and tone…the only issue is that I can’t afford the Bikram anymore and I have no patience for pilates. It’s just not what I need these days. I’ve got to get back into it.
I need some tips and encouragement/motivation ASAP.
happy Eating…. 🙂