I've been really trying hard to loss 40 pounds but, by working the night shift it's hard to eat at the right times or to even exercise because your either sleep or really to tired to do anything else. I do this 5 nights a weeks.

What you should do is clear your house of junk foods and get yourself some containers to separate healthy sized portions of wholesome and nutritious food into to make it easier for you when you're tired or you've just come home and want a quick meal.

I give really long answers in questions like this. Not trying to annoy. Its just how I'm wired. Sorry for the long post to come.

Nights can be brutal on your body. My mother worked nights for a few years to get that extra pay differential and it really took its toll. I used to do research at night and it was OK for me... I'm wired differently, and actually liked the nighttime quiet and time to myself.

You know what you need to do for best results... exercise and eat healthy. I'm not saying its easy to do it all in your situation, but the reality is you need to amp your metabolism and you need to think about food.

If you head right home and crash after work, the very first thing id do when I got up is exercise. If you have a hard time getting time for this go to your library and pick up a dvd. My wife's does pilates, tae bo almost every morning and this this dance ballet thing now and then. She also runs. I do tae bo, some pilates (not enough) every other day, and then walk/run. My point wasn't to tell you the routine you need to do... it was about the dvds... the tae bo, for ex can be from 35-55 min long... its really not a bad way to wake your body up (though you have to convince yourself to get out of bed) and the best part is when you exercise early in the day your metabolism is primed for later meals... meaning you'll likely burn more calories.

Also, statistics show people who work out earlier in the day show better results and stay with the program more often. Part of it is the amped metabolism, and part of it is they don't suffer from the "ill do it later syndrome"... where you put it off and put it off and suddenly you are out of time.

Anyway, I keep getting off track as usual... grabbing a few dvds from the library might be a way to work out at home within a short time, and a way to try out different videos.

Also... is there sometime during the day you can walk, even if its on a task? Two years ago my metabolism took a little dive, even though I was working out, and I noticed I was putting on a little weight. I've generally been fit and active, but this was the second time in five years that my body just seemed to change... and I had to change my habits. So every other day I threw in an extra walk to the local grocery store. If there's a store within 2 miles you might be surprised at your results. The walking will take you maybe an hour or more round trip, but you'll also be checking off a task. Same for use of a bike. Every little stint of burning calories and more importantly, the priming of your metabolism, all add up.

Lots of other little things you can do. While I think cardio is really the best, you can honestly burn more calories doing normal stuff. For ex, I have a set of leg weights that strap to your ankles. I've worn them around the house walking, especially before sports. Just feel like I have an extra spring in my step. If I'm watching a TV show ill stretch and maybe lift weights. Just finding ways to do all the things I'm doing normally, but with more effort.

And I know you are tired, but I really think a little exercise can help your energy in a very short time. Sure, your muscles might be a little sore... but that's not the same as a body feeling lethargic.

Are you taking a good multivitamin? Do it. Religiously.

As for food, one of the fastest ways to change your diet without a lot of effort is simply portion contol. Take longer to eat, eat a little less... you might be shocked at how after taking 3/4 of what you normally would, your body will adjust within a week or two. If you are hungy still, make sure you are filling that gap with fruits and veggies. If you do this for a few weeks, you'll actually be looking forward to less heavy meals and you'll be craving the fresh foods.

When my partner and I go out to eat we often share a meal... not to be cheap, but sometimes those meals are just HUGE. Even better, sometimes we'll do small plates. You have to be careful with appetizers and small plates because they can be oil and fat heavy, but doesn't mean you can't find ways to work it out. Order a mixed fruit plate with the southwest egg rolls. Take your time eating, wait, then decide if you need more food. We've often stopped sooner than not.

Lots to say about food but I don't want this to go on forever. Take fresh fruit to work. Also meat and cheese and nuts. A little can go a long way, but I don't know if you can sneak in a bite every two or three hours or if you just get one big break. Drink lots of water. Drop the soda.

Can you tell more about your schedule or what you'd like to do concerning workout? What are you eating at work? What do you eat at home? Takeout? Fried food? Baked? Grilled? Store made heat ups? Are you working around a family schedule? What about weekends? Maybe more info could help us think about what might work better for you.