Staying in Shape

[green34]

If I could give advice to any new student, it would be to stay in shape and make sure you make time for grocery shopping! Does anyone else agree with me?

I have let myself go between working 36 to 48 hours a week and doing a full load and my classes. The pudding in the cafeterias were too much to resist! Not to mention working out became a 4th priority when it came to getting stuff done and working.

Anyway, I'm in my last semester and the plan is for me to cut back on working and taking more me time. I'm signed up for a yoga class and a cycling and sculpting class. Plus I am planning on riding my exercise bike more.

[MSNrunner]

I just graduated from nursing school and getting out of shape is one of my biggest worries about becoming a nurse! I start my new nursing job next week and am working on getting on a healthy eating plan/exercise routine. I really want to do insanity but I am not sure if I will be too tired to keep up with it with long shifts. I attempted insanity a few months ago, but had to back off because I found out I had mono. I think I will try it, but if I begin to feel too tired I will back off again and do just lighter workouts. I am also thinking of sticking with the insanity nutrition plan and eating 5 small meals a day, but I don't know if that is realistic in nursing because I know some nurses don't even get time to eat one meal during a shift. During nursing school I always made time to run and I think that really helped keep my stress level under control.

[bigsick_littlesick]

Whatever you got to do to get that heart rate going, do it! Even if it's just to maintain where you're at during nursing school; 30 minutes of brisk walking, workout DVDs, YouTube videos, etc. I gained about 17 lbs. in nursing school and by the time I got out, I felt like a fat lump 'o' lard. Now that I'm working as a per diem RN, I have lots of time to fit in workouts on MY time. I've lost 22 lbs. this year so far! I feel healthier, I've toned up so much, lost inches everywhere, my old clothes fit loose and I feel so much better about my body! I looked at pictures we took at 4th semester clinicals and can't believe how chubby I had become!

I cannot rave enough about Jamie Eason's LiveFit program. It was a great starter workout program that incorporates weight lifting, plyometrics and HIIT cardio workouts. It's FREE on bodybuilding.com's website. I will say that some of the workouts do take an hour sometimes longer so looking back, I don't think I would've been as consistent with this program then as I am now.

Takeaway message is just to get some exercise, most days of the week!

[Sony1214]

I agree soooo much with u! Not only do you have less energy when buying food out, but it starts to take a toll on your wallet!!! I promised myself I would make my lunch for school every single day (this way I could eat healthier and save money) I told myself I would allow myself one outside lunch a semester, if for any reason I didn't shop that week, forgot my lunch, or got up to late! So last semester I ended up making it everyday, it was nice! Making time for working out is a whole other problem :

[lynsylam]

I have 4 teenagers and I'm starting nursing school next week. My kids are messy and totally dependent on me for everything. I really don't know if i will be able to keep my daily routine while in school. I sometimes jog for 30min or walk for an hour, but with all the school work i wonder how it's gonna be possible to exercise, clean the house, do the laundry, cook... etc. May God help!