I'm sorry, but this is more of a vent...I am so frustrated with not loosing weight! I exerciseas much as I can (3-5 days a week) I know I could do more, but between working 60-70 hours a week, raising two wonderful girls on my own, and no support system its hard. I make the time to bring my food to work, eat the amount of blocks that I am supposed to. I really know it sounds like I am complaining, and I guess I am...I have kinda reached my breaking point. I want to be healthy again. My endocrinologist refuses to see me anymore because I don't want to see the PA. I still have all of the symptoms of hypothyroid even though I am on a med for it. I try to keep my stress level down but exercising, or writing. I just don't know what I am doing wrong . I have even thought about giving up the job that I love to have a less stressful job with normal hours. I'm running out of things to say...thank you for listening to me.

I am listening, so lets see if we can come up with a solution!

I don't know how you are swinging everything, you are working a LOT of hours. Stress levels are obviously high, and that does not help in your zoning efforts (increased cortisol from stress). Can you find ways to work in the exercise, like perhaps taking a walk during lunch break at work?

In terms of your meals, are you using time-saving approaches? Some people prepare several meals all at once rather than one at a time, perhaps you can make your meals on a free day, then you can save some time during the workday.

If cutting back on your work hours is an option, it might be a good thing to do. However, in this economy, not everyone has that option.

If you want to post some meals, maybe we can break them down and see if there is something that we can suggest to make them zone winners!

Thank you! Unfortunately I am a paramedic and work on an ambulance so I don't get breaks u less I am not on a call. Due to the economy and no child support from the x cutting my hours can't happen. I do prepare meals ahead of time. Here is a basic meal break down
Breakfast: oatmeal with apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 2tbls of flax seed. One hour before this I take 4fishthe oil pills, and thyroid meds.
Snack: GNC meal replacements (3g sugar, 17g carbs, 25g protein )
Lunch: open face turkey sandwich w/lettuce, tomato, regular mustard, low fat provolone cheese, fresh veggies/fruit
Snack: another meal replacementDinner: w/ground flax seed, herd meds
Dinner: lean protein (chicken/fish), salad w/cucumber, tomato, onion, green peppers, squash, low fat dressing
Before bed: protein shake, 4 fishoil

Lunch isn't always a sandwich, but is always lean protein and veggies, whole grain carb. Hope this helps!

During work I am constantly moving, lifting...cpr on a bad night...lots of adrenaline rushes.

I wanted to post an update! I have lost 17lbs!!! I am very pleased with the hard work that I have done. I believe that my thyroid meds needed some time to work. I also decided to treat my ADD...I know most people have their opinions on this disease, but it is real. Since getting treatment my stress and anxiety have gone to nonexistent. I sleep better, more focused, and feeling like I am in control. I have been doing great on the zone too! I really don't even miss pasta, and rice either. I did want to know how accurate the zone body fat calculator is.

Congrats, that's great news!

Yes, CONGRATS! (:-))

Wonderful news, Jessica!

So, fill us in, how are you managing with the food/diet portion? I know that the problem with shift work and especially night-shift workers, health care workers who can't take the time to take a food break, is always looming. What have you done to overcome this problem?

It's really hard to overcome the correct way of eating when you do shift work. Especially in health care, and honestly nothing is perfect. There are times when I am starving, its 8 hours into my shift and sometimes high carb sounds really good. Sometimes you give in. I try to carry fresh veggies, fruit, chicken, fish, turkey...always something that doesn't need to be heated up. I work on an ambulance, so I don't always have a way to heat up food. Protein shakes and meal replacements are also very easy. Sometimes there are no breaks...the person who can't breath doesn't care if you haven't eaten, or even gone to the bathroom. The biggest thing I have realized is that you can't stress about it. You really have to live yourself, and accept the way you are. Since being in thyroid meds my heart date , and blood pressure are lower...my cholesterol is also perfect. Am I still a little overweight? Sure, but the more I stress about it the harder it will be to loose it.

so how does sugar free desserts fit in, or do they? like the sugar free pies, I dont see how that happens, cuz the bread breaks down into sugar. or the sugar free puddings, etc. any hints and tips?

so how does sugar free desserts fit in, or do they? like the sugar free pies, I dont see how that happens, cuz the bread breaks down into sugar. or the sugar free puddings, etc. any hints and tips?

I always check to see what kind of sweetener is in the product. Just because it says sugar free doesn't mean there isn't something worse in there.