21 Day Fix - Night Shift Style!

As an avid 21 Day Fix Meal Plan Believer and Follower, and as a night shift nurse - I get asked ALL the time --- how do you do the 21 Day Fix on night shift? Great question!! This took a lot of trial and error for me to be honest - I tracked what worked, what made me feel full but still drop weight, what didn't make me bloated and tired, what I could do to stay on track even when my schedule was a hot mess.... This is my version, there is no "Autumn's Formula for how to Eat when you are up for 9 million hours" ((because lets face it night shifters, NO ONE wants to volunteer for that job!))



Black out mask and white noise are my best friends!

Okay first of all, let me commend you -- working nights, especially if you are in a health care setting, where you typically see a ton of food; yeah, that is tough -- your brain doesn't work right on nights, you crave food, you find excuses, and honestly, I have eaten to stay awake ***especially on my one hour commute home*** Night shift is cruel, your body needs sleep to survive, thrive and lose weight - so we are already at a slight disadvantage... So these are my tips and tricks for the 21 Day Fix on Night Shift ((reminder, I am at the lowest calorie range - so you might need to add to what I am doing))

In my mind there are two different types of night shift - the night shift were you get to sleep after your shift and the night shift were you are up all day after night shift.... And I tackle them differently... so lets get started...

When you get to sleep after nightshift (up for 24-28 hours)

When I get to sleep after nightshift, I am thrilled - for two reasons - I don't eat extra calories, and we need sleep to feel good, to be healthy... So if you can sleep after work, please take advantage of it!

To me, this is what it looks like:

• Up at 7am Tuesday
• Up all day with my kids
• Go to work at 6pm Tuesday
• Home at 8-9am Wednesday
• In Bed by 10am Wednesday - sleep 4ish hours

So on a day like this, I will 'borrow' containers from Wednesday to have a meal around 1130/midnight Tuesday night. I then go home, eat - and sleep through a meal/snack Wednesday - therefore, I did not use any extra containers. On occasion, I will add a green and a red around 3/4am Wednesday morning if I am hungry. I do not borrow these from Wednesday during the day - I figure I burn these calories by being awake and active when I would otherwise be sleeping.

When you get little to no sleep after nightshift (up for 36+ hours)

Sadly, this happens to me more than I would like - it isn't healthy and should be avoided - but it is what it is and dealing with it is my only option...

To me, this is what it looks like:

• Up at 7am Thursday
• Up all day with my kids
• Go to work at 6pm Thursday
• Home at 9-9am Friday
• Hopefully a nap between 230pm-4pm
• In bed by 10pm Friday

So on a day like this, I do not borrow any containers - I add containers... because you burn more calories when you are awake then when you are asleep... I figure I am awake about 8 more hours than I normally would be.. which is 1/3 of a 24 hour day - so my thought process is, I should get 33% more containers! I am in the 1200-1400 calorie bracket so I consume 3 greens, 2 purples, 1 blue, 1 orange, 4 reds, 2 yellows and 2 blacks -- So during the course of the night I allow myself:

• 1 green
• 1/2 purple
• 1.5 reds
• 1 yellow
• 1 black

This usually gets me a meal with a nice size snack. So the day before and the day after my night shift are the same, I just simple add in those containers at night.

I hope you found this helpful - and again, I hope you get some sleep! It isn't easy, but it is important to stay on track even when your schedule gets off track! For more tips and tricks, or for a spot in my next challenge - please apply here - and I can't wait to work with you!

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Shakeology Boost - Focused Energy

So it is no secret, as a busy nurse, coach and momma to two little girls - that I do not get the sleep I should! Between Aubrey who is up at least once a night and my night shift job that has me working 12-24 hours a week, I am exhausted. As I approach 30 (eekk yes 30!!), I am finding that I am not recovering from my sleepless nights as quickly as I was just a few years ago! Ironically, Shakeology boosts launch happened at the perfect time for me!

There are 3 boosts - Digestive Health, Power Greens and Focused Energy... Since my biggest hurdle is energy, I thought I would trial this product first... In this article, I will be explaining what Focused Energy Boost is, how it compares and my honest review! Let's do it ;)

So what are Shakeology Boosts?

• Boosts are the easiest way to customize Shakeology to your unique needs. When you boost your shake, you boost your health and Shakeology experience!

More Specifically What are the Unique Benefits to Focused Energy?

• Focused Energy energizes your day the healthy way. It supports mental clarity, alertness, and focus to help you be more productive.
• Designed to give you a wholesome boost of energy, both for your mind and body.
• Unlike other energy drinks, Focused Energy does not contain chemicals, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives that could compromise your health.
• While Shakeology is an incredible dose of daily dense nutrition, there are those days when you simply need a little extra. So when you are challenged for energy, or need some help being more productive, supercharge yourself with this boost!
• Help break your daily coffee addiction!

How do I use it?

• Simply gently shake the jar to loosen the compressed powder.
• Combine one level scoop with Shakeology and consume within 30 minutes

Why is this Superior?

• Naturally boosts your energy, focus and mental clarity with ginseng and 100mg of natural caffeine from guarana and green tea
• It is packed with adaptogens to help support the body in times of stress, as well as antioxidants that may help fight free radical damage
• And again - chemical, and artificial color, flavor, sweetener and preservative free!

My HONEST review....

I'm in love - seriously! I drink my Shakeology for lunch, which just so happens to be my 'tired time' - I wake up with energy, I drag mid day and I usually have a decent amount of night time energy... The natural caffeine gave me an immediate boost without feeling jittery (which I was afraid of because I do not drink coffee or other caffeine products) and I felt more energized than usual as the afternoon and evening went on.

I did not notice any texture or taste changes to my Shakeology (I do blend with ice)

The only downfall I see, is that I can't share this with my girls - because lets face it, who in their right mind would give their very active kids something that would increase their energy? ;)

The afternoon is when I usually blog, email and work on my coaching and I felt that I was focused and more creative... I have also noticed that the slight headache that I get in the afternoon (which I think is from being tired and then looking at a computer screen) is also diminished since adding Focused Energy to my afternoon Shakeology...

This is an all around win for me, and a new staple ingredient to my shake!

E&E - energy and endurance!

We are busy, busy, busy at Summit - and I have succumbed to peer pressure - and I am so glad I did! Can you say 'game changer'? Seriously, I was nervous about high heat and intense cardio workouts combined with traveling, long days and just being out of sorts - but this my friends, kept me on my game - in the trainings, at the late night events and especially in the workouts! I'll admit, I am hooked! Already ordered some for when I get home!

Why E&E?

• A pre-workout formula can help address complaints of "fatigue" or "lack of energy" prior to a workout. 
• Drinking a pre-workout supplement can help you power up with energy to succeed in your workout and help fuel your body to tackle the most challenging fitness programs.
• Improve your energy, endurance, strength, and focus - designed to help you power through and maximize every moment of your workouts. It's a proprietary blend of advanced nitric oxide boosters, amino acids, natural energizers, electrolytes, and essential B vitamins, created to help you start fast and finish strong

Will it improve my results?

• Yes, if you are able to push yourself more during the workouts, naturally you will burn more calories - therefore, maximizing your results!

What's in this stuff?

• Advanced nitric oxide boosters to help speed more nutrients and oxygen to your muscles for better performance.
• Natural energizers to help increase energy and focus to maximize your workout.
• Amino acids to help promote muscular energy and overall workout performance.
• Electrolytes to help fight dehydration and support optimal muscle function.
• Essential B vitamins to promote a strong metabolism to provide energy so you can burn fat.
• Stevia for natural, zero-calorie sweetness.
• You will NOT find artificial ingredients, sugars or untested products unlike other pre-workout drinks!

For more tips, training, 1:1 support, and information - fill out the application below - can't wait to hear from you!

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