Overweight and losing!!!

Nursing Students General Students

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Specializes in CCU, Geriatrics, Critical Care, Tele.

With all the activity that comes with a nursing education, many are stating that they have lost weight. Have you experienced this? I'm guessing many people are stressing because of grades, etc. I would think that some would be eating more because of stress, time studying, etc. What do you think? Are you losing or gaining weight?

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Actually, I've seen the opposite. By the time our students walk into their pinning ceremony, many (most) are at least 15-25 pounds heavier than when they began the program. Sometimes it is difficult to remember who they are, they are so changed!

Between stress hormones, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise, it isn't surprising...

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Specializes in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

I am training for a half-marathon and I would like to be lighter but I can't help but put muscle on. Must be all the protein I eat to help stave off hunger during clinical. I really, really, REALLY do not want to gain the 15-25 lbs we were warned about during orientation. I think my saving grace is it's hard to care for a bariatric pt or a stroke pt and then stop and get fast food on the way home. I can't handle the cognitive dissonance.

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I am not yet a nursing student, I am in currently in the process of completing my prerequisites. I started going back to school just six months ago and have already lost between 7 and 10 lbs. I think stress and lack off time are the biggest factors. I never have the time to eat between school, school work and my job. When I do find the time to eat I am usually to stressed out or anxious to do so; a knot in my stomach probably related to my next paper due. In conclusion, I do believe school and weight loss, but more specifically stress related to school and weight loss go hand and hand.

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Ugh, gaining! I think it's all the enforced sitting at school, plus study time, plus the cutback in hours worked waiting tables, and the fact that I can't bike to and from school (though I usually walk there). I work out at the gym 5-7 hours a week and go for runs when it's nice out, but it's just no match for this. Working on it! Maybe I should write a care plan for myself. Yeah, right. Add it to the pile!:laugh:

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I've lost 5 lbs since I've started school. I heard that nursing students tend to gain weight and I'm determined to not let that happen. A few of my friends have gained 15 - 25 lbs since we started last April.

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Specializes in CVICU.

I worked out religiously (6 days a week) before I started nursing school and I still do this (I'm in my 2nd semester of nursing school now). It's about time management and priorities, I guess. I don't really have to worry about gaining weight though, because I'm a male and I'm trying to get bulkier, so my diet is actually geared towards gaining weight. My workouts strictly consist of weightlifting, no cardio. However, when you're only taking a 30 second break between sets, sometimes it can feel like cardio :p

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I'm in first semester and I've already lost some weight. I am finding that I need to exercise more to help relax and unwind. If I miss a day I start feeling stiff. I am not used to sitting still in classes for so long!

I'm also finding that I am eating a lot less. I am a little overweight and am more of a boredom eater - however I am no longer bored!

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