[story] I (M28) started a job as a nighttime security officer in January 2022, changing my lifestyle which made me gain some weight. After trying my short-sleeved uniform from last spring, I’m only now realizing how bad it’s gotten, not able to button a single button. Need to start to reverse this.

Submitted by MisterOwl_94 t3_119p8zo in GetMotivated

I was probably about 165/70 pounds when I started this job Jan last year, and I think I’m somewhere around 260 now. This job has totally screwed me over but also know it’s my fault for not adjusting for my new lifestyle. Working all night, constantly sitting, free snacks, weird sleep schedule have all piled on the weight. I’m only realizing now how bad it’s gotten because I can barely even put on my spring uniform from last year, and my boss has even suggested that he’s concerned that I don’t seem intimidating anymore as a security officer because of how much bigger I am. This all really blows. Just can’t believe I’ve let myself get this much bigger in just a year. Would love any advice from someone who may have been in a similar spot! Wanted to also post just to hold myself accountable. Really wanting to start motivating myself to get back to how I was before.

Also, yes, I have seen my doctor, somewhat recently. He was also alarmed by how fast I put on weight / how much was in my stomach and had me do some tests. He didn’t find any underlying conditions causing the weight gain and attributed it just to my change in lifestyle and diet this past year. Apparently genetics play the biggest role in where you gain weight and he says this must just be how my body puts on fat.

HERE are a couple recent videos/pics of me compared to last year.

40

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

NoSchedule4275 t1_j9nez4x wrote

Nights can be a huge shock to the system. Too easy to get shit food since anything open late is usually fast food or pizza, and really hard to motivate yourself into getting up for the gym since you always feel tired. I've been on nights for a few years and fell into that trap but was able to get things moving in the right direction. Crockpot meals are my go to now, easy to prep and cooks while you sleep then bam, meals for the whole shift. Foiling my windows/blackout curtains helped block every ounce of light to maximize sleep, and the rest is just finding that drive to get up and do something. Doesn't have to be much, every minute you're physically active is a minute more than what you would have done before. It all adds up into some big-time life changes, the most important thing is to just start no matter how small that first step is. Good luck!

4

bootywerewolf t1_j9ng83b wrote

I work overnight but my job is super physical and I have chronic stomach issues so I keep losing without trying (which is also becoming problematic).

Have a big meal before work and try to eat lightly throughout the night. Then, have a small meal or a few snacks when you get home to satiate you before bed. I've read that eating a lot during night shifts can mess with your blood sugar and stuff. High protein foods will keep you fuller longer. Avoid drinks other than your basic coffee or water, because things like juice can be hella sugary. If you need easy, healthy snacks to reach for try cheese & grapes, bananas, protein bars, raisins and nuts, applesauce, etc.

If you don't have time for big workouts, try doing a bit of tabata or hiit interval training either before work or after to tire yourself out before bed. Fitness Blender has a boatload of free workouts that require little to no equipment, and they offer modifications/alternatives to exercises for various fitness levels and abilities. Even a little bit of floor pilates or yoga will still burn calories, and help with strength and flexibility.

If you work at a desk you could try and get one of those little foot pedal thingies.

Hopefully at least a smidge of that was useful lol.

0

AcceptableAccount794 t1_j9ngzci wrote

Although I am not a doctor, this looks a lot like ascites, which is fluid retention within the abdomen. It's commonly caused by excessive drinking of alcohol over many years and can show up quickly once the body's lost a lot of its ability to filter fluids (I don't know the technical terms around that-- but mine developed over maybe 2 years after 10 years of heavy drinking). It can also be cause by other things like congestive heart failure or clogging of vein within the liver.

As I mentioned, I had drank heavily for years (2-3 20oz sugary colas in the afternoons and alcohol in the evening) and was developing a similar condition. I quit alcohol and sugary beverages entirely and dropped about 45 pounds with no other interventions (essentially, I lost all the weight in my midsection) over the course of maybe a year and a half. So the weight loss was slow but steady.

Your case definitely looks like fluid retention to me, but since I don't know you, I am not sure if that ends up being true and if so what factors are contributing towards it. Diets heavy in salt can cause fluid retention too. So if you're eating frozen microwavable meals, many types of fast foods, or cans of soups (or really any meal that has high sodium), that can be something you target to eliminate from your diet.

I'd recommend getting a second opinion from a doctor that looks into liver functioning and heart functioning, but specifically mentioning exploring whether ascites might be a possible diagnosis. There may be some underlying condition that's causing the fluid retention that hasn't been identified yet. Best of luck! ✌

34

AcceptableAccount794 t1_j9ni0je wrote

Adding a second comment, since looked at the link you provided -- that last photo of the difference in just two years really raises a concern from my perspective.

I would recommend going to a doctor as soon as possible, and ask about liver testing especially, but also blood tests to show blood sugar levels and triglycerides. Ascites can be a sign of liver disease, and if the gain has been very quick, they recommend procedures to at least initially drain some of that fluid.

Here is a link about non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with a list of possible symptoms or other co siderations.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567

The good side is that the liver has regenerative qualities and can bounce back from stress/strain/scarring, but you gotta work with a doctor to see if this is wah it is and if so, try and find out what is causing it.

Edit: saw the last photo too -- the symptoms looks like liver failure to me, I'm sorry to say. Definitely go to a doctor that is well versed in liver health.

1

HomoVulgaris t1_j9niqsw wrote

There's a lot of factors going on here, genetics, snacks etc... it's tough to just pick out one thing to change, and changing everything is just overwhelming, so the tendency is just to kinda forget about everything and perpetuate the cycle.

So I will tell you that sitting is the killer.

I used to work crappy retail jobs, with lots of snacks, terrible sleep, just an awful lifestyle. However, I was on my feet all 8 hours, so sometimes I even lost weight.

Now, when I have a decent office job, I have great sleep, I watch my diet, and I gain weight... just because I sit all day.

Invest in some really comfortable shoes, maybe with special gel or whatever, and try to do half your shift standing up. Then slowly move to doing your full shift standing up. It's not impossible. You're going to see results after two weeks, I promise.

5

lube_thighwalker t1_j9pcmk1 wrote

OP has reposted this several times. Other comments have pointed it out on his previous posts.

If he’s serious on changing good luck but I think this is something else.

17

kbrk21 t1_j9pg7cx wrote

Replying to lube_thighwalker (#1,942,052)

This is OP indulging in a “gaining” fetish. I knew as soon as I saw the photos of the strained buttons and bare stomach pushed out as far as he could. Those types of photos/vids are very popular in that niche community. They actually use pumps to get as much air and bloat as possible into their stomach to make it look bigger, that’s why it appears so disproportionate.

17

R1pp3z t1_j9plfkr wrote

Did you happen to put on a red coat that a man who fell off your roof was wearing?

5

Jgorkisch t1_j9prdqv wrote

Just remember. You didn’t put that weight on instantly. It won’t come off instantly. A lot of us have/are putting on weight but being aware of it is a good first step.

1

bignerd64 t1_j9rynps wrote

Replying to AcceptableAccount794 (#1,934,073)

It looks like ascites? Sorry, but how did you come to that conclusion? Nothing that this post states mentions anything that would make anyone with any medical knowledge think this. Will be waiting for your web-md sounding response.

1

momma_cat t1_j9sd0fq wrote

Have you been driving cheeseburgers into that thing?

2

Masek_Kiel t1_j9tag1v wrote

That is too much for one year. I am heavily overweight and I put more weight on than you, but that took two decades (even with a very bad diet). I recommend that you visit a doctor to see if there is something wrong.

2

bob77_00 t1_j9wcknm wrote

Just eat plant-based and move more.

2

Optimal-Salt6380 t1_jabfkgc wrote

Nightshift in itself is bad its not you. Night shift leads to an increase in cortisol level night shift is very lonely leading to more stress and how do you cope with that by eating alot, Plus security guard job is kinda sedentary unless you patrol alot. My advice to you find a new shift during the day less cortisol more social life more happiness less food. If you cant find a daytime job quickly in the mean time you can do little changes to help you . Take your vitamin d supplement please and get a lot of uninterrupted sleep try to get enough sun during ur days off have a good social support.

1