Each & every one that I’ve seen or tried seems to be designed for those fortunate folks that work 9-5 Monday thru Friday & off on the weekends. I’ve worked swing shift for the last 22 years & out "smart" employers have even been changing the way we work for the last 2 years. Right now, I’m working 8 hours a day, 6 days a week with only Sunday off. I work one week on 1st, the next on 2nd, then the next on 3rd. Then it starts over again. We were working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, with one day off in the middle of 1st & 3rd, then getting a long weekend, (5 days), every 3 three weeks. Tnere has been talk that they want to put us back on the 12-hour schedule.
It’s really hard to follow a weight-loss plan working the way that I do. Even after all these years, I still don’t know when to sleep or eat. I don’t sleep well, except when I’m off & then I sleep my day off away. I can’t quit my job because there aren’t any more jobs here that pay what I make. They’ve all gone south. HELP!
even if you feel you do not have a "regular schedule" to follow, it is possible to achieve weight-loss, especially if you really are dedicated, and you have good motivations.
the best diet motivation is knowing that you will have better health. but of course, feeling better also comes with looking better. you will be more healthy, you will have more energy, and you will be more confident.
it is very easy to achieve your goal. giving a little effort and spending a little would assure you of real safe and effective diet. a low-carb, low fat, high-fiber diet is the best diet if you do not require tons of energy for work (for example, simple office work does not require a lot of energy). this is a sample menu, about 1200 calories the whole day. you will not spend a lot, and you will not feel hunger.
breakfast:
1 pc toast / sliced bread
1 pc banana or apple
1 glass of milk
tea or coffee with low cal sweetener (or sugar)
10 am snack:
1 banana or apple OR
10 pcs of berries OR
1 cup popcorn
1 glass lemonade or juice
lunch:
open sandwich (no bread on top) containing:
1 slice of smoked ham (about 60 grams)
tomatoes, lettuce, onion
1 glass juice/lemonade/tea
4pm snack:
3 pcs of oreo cookies OR
1 palmful peanuts OR
any medium sized fruit
dinner:
1 100-gram cut of lean meat (if chicken, no skin)
1 1/2 golfball size serving mashed potato or pasta
up to 2 cups of green veggies or steamed carrots and peas
dessert: any medium fruit OR
1 golfball size of low fat ice cream or sorbet
1 cup of coffee or tea
you can do variations of this sample plan. very low cost (not totally no cost ofcourse), low maintenance. you will not feel any hunger at any time of the day. the best thing is, these foods are definitely available in your own house, probably also the things you eat daily. and you will not deprive yourself so binging and mood swings will be avoided.
throw in some exercise while you’re at it: jogging, weightlifting for muscle development, pilates for flexibility (there are websites that show some basic pilates moves), powerwalking for stamina building. even regular day to day activities help - walking to the bus station, bicycling to the supermarket, mopping the floor, you can even do some jogging in-place while watching TV. remember that a well balanced diet and regular exercise is still the best. not only will you be kept trim, you will also stay healthy.
remember that there are no quick-fix diets and exercises. starving yourself and pushing yourself to extreme exhaustion would only lead to even more dangers, and a higher medical cost. the best way to achieve your goal and to get a healthier body is to incorporate a well balanced diet and enough exercise in your daily life.
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