Guest blog: irregular work and a healthy lifestyle

Promoting healthy food, motivating people and going for the best result together: we can't do it alone. We do it with you and with our SportMeals Athletes. Every so often we ask one of them for their story. This time it's the turn of Vera Dokter, sports fanatic and emergency room nurse. She tells us more about how she combines irregular work with a healthy lifestyle.

’ER NURSE BY DAY, CROSSFIT FREAK BY NIGHT

Hi everyone, my name is Vera Dokter and I'm 31. My Instagram bio reads “ER nurse by day and CrossFit freak by night’. That's not entirely true, because as an emergency room nurse I also work nights fairly regularly. I often get asked how I stay fit and healthy despite my varied job with an irregular rhythm. I'm happy to tell you more about it.

ROUTINE WITH A CHANGING RHYTHM

It was February 2017 when I first walked into Gymbox 721 for a CrossFit trial class. It was time to get stronger, literally and figuratively! And that trial class is where it all began.

I decided I wanted to work out at least four times a week, but I also had to schedule time for enough sleep, social moments and me-time. I plan my week very deliberately and precisely ahead, and I keep a rhythm around the different shifts. For example, after a late shift that ends at 23:30, I go straight to bed so I can join a WOD at the gym at 9:00 the next morning. During my night shifts, on the other hand, I schedule far more moments of rest.

Planning gives me a clear overview and peace of mind. It also lets me use the time I have as efficiently as possible.

FIRST AID FOR NUTRITION

To avoid energy dips during the different shifts, nutrition is very important. During a shift in the emergency room, I never know if there will be time to eat and drink, or how much. So this always took a lot of preparation, because I brought all kinds of “quick” snacks to still get enough kcal.

At the start of this year I discovered Muscle meals (SportMeals): surprisingly tasty meal preps that fit my sports goals perfectly. I recently devoured the Get lean meals for 12 weeks. Now I'm shifting my focus back to getting stronger, so I'll be ordering the Build muscle meals more often.

The ideal thing is that when I'm waiting for my patients' latest lab results, I put a tray in the microwave and have a complete, tasty meal ready in no time. Plus, I no longer need to schedule time to prepare my meals. So more time to reach my goals!

Want to know more about staying fit and healthy with an irregular rhythm?
Then follow me on Instagram!

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