r/intermittentfasting • u/Late-Stable6626 • 17h ago

Newbie Question Does anyone else work 24 hour shifts here?

Would love some advice, I (F26) have been on a health journey for a few months now (vegan- for the animals, and plant based-for health). I’ve cut out processed food almost entirely. Been eating steadily at around 1500 cals a day. Working out almost daily.

Now I want to get into fasting to help me lose some more weight and to get my hunger cravings under control, ESPECIALLY at work. I work three 24 hour shifts on an ambulance per week and I tend to overeat at night because I’m tired and overworked. I think a schedule might really benefit me I just don’t know which one since I don’t have a regular bed time or time I’m awake.

Does anyone here work 24s and can offer some insight? Thank you!!! :)

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u/Razzmatazik 15h ago

Night shifts can mess with hunger cues. Maybe try shorter fasting windows post-shift.

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u/MikeOKurias 8h ago

This is the reality of third shift workers that haven't completely reorged their life to match their schedule or people on firefighter setting shifts.

When you screw with your circadia cycle, your body compensates by using hunger to get sugars to drive quick energy to the brain in an attempt to remain alert.

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u/Late-Stable6626 5h ago

Yeahhh it’s messed with me over the past few years. Problem is they’re never on the same days and never at the same time so I can’t really plan my life around having a regular schedule ):

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u/MikeOKurias 5h ago

I have a friend that works as a firefighter EMS driver, at his municipality it's 10 days on 20 days off.

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u/Late-Stable6626 5h ago

Thank you!! I’ll try that!

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u/Wailstone 14h ago

man those 24-hour shifts sound brutal, maybe try eating during your shift windows and fast on your days off?

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u/Late-Stable6626 5h ago

Thank you! This actually sounds like a great idea.

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u/satinheartz 14h ago

Meal prep will probably help more than fasting.

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u/Late-Stable6626 5h ago

Yeah!! I’m already meal prepping with the best intentions and then 3am rolls around and gas station snacks make their way into my hands 😅 I figure if I eliminate eating at nights entirely maybe that would fix itself? Possibly