Is floor nursing making you fat?

MotherRN · Apr 4, 2013

I should also mention that I have a slower-than-normal metabolism due to hypothyroidism, which is a disorder I have had since 2005. I end up having to be more vigilant about my food choices and work harder than the next person in order to maintain or lose the pounds.
I recall one month last spring when I jogged for 60 minutes daily and maintained a clean diet with an intake of about 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day, but did not lose any weight after 30 days. That was discouraging and disappointing.

I think I am there with you! It's so depressing to work so hard for something and not see the results!

theantichick · Apr 4, 2013

I gained 45 lbs in nursing school, and wasn't a slim person to start with, but I'd been making progress. In nursing school when I also had to work 40-60 hours a week at my computer job, I quit even trying to exercise, and ate out more often than not, plus tons of comfort foods while studying or prepping for tests. So I'm starting my nursing career with 100 lbs to lose.

I'm incredibly lucky that the LTAC where I landed a job is strict about us having to take our lunches, and committed to us having 2 15-min breaks if at all possible. Isn't always at a predictable time, but we have to get 30 minutes off the floor at some point in our shift. And we have access to a small breakroom by the nurses station for grabbing sips of coffee/water and grazing.

Any job is bad for you if you don't take care of yourself - some people need to graze, others need structured meals, and we all need exercise. I gained a tremendous amount of weight and my cardio went to heck driving a desk in I.T. for 20 years. If I don't change my habits now, nursing will hinder instead of help me get where I want physically.

It's hard to tell my co-workers when they ask if I want whatever they're ordering for lunch every day. It takes planning and commitment to eat my planned breakfast instead of stopping at a drivethru on my way to shift. But I pack my lunch along with snacks including high protein ones every day and focus on getting plenty of water after I finish my morning coffee. And so far I'm doing ok - 3 weeks on the job and I've lost 4 lbs. Not a lot but it's a start.

Guest343211 · Apr 4, 2013

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Being under intense pressure ought to make you burn calories- but it does have the opposite effect- no matter how hard you have to work.

It has to do with stress hormones, like cortisol.

[The amount of cortisol secreted in response to stress can vary among individuals, with some persons being innately more "reactive" to stressful events. Studies of women who tended to react to stress with high levels of cortisol secretion have shown that these women also tended to eat more when under stress than women who secreted less cortisol. Another study demonstrated that women who stored their excess fat in the abdominal area had higher cortisol levels and reported more lifestyle stress than women who stored fat primarily in the hips. (Stoppler, 2007)]

Stress and Weight Gain Information by MedicineNet.com

Guest343211 · Apr 4, 2013

I should also mention that I have a slower-than-normal metabolism due to hypothyroidism, which is a disorder I have had since 2005. I end up having to be more vigilant about my food choices and work harder than the next person in order to maintain or lose the pounds.
I recall one month last spring when I jogged for 60 minutes daily and maintained a clean diet with an intake of about 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day, but did not lose any weight after 30 days. That was discouraging and disappointing.

Did you include weight-training and increasing muscle mass? Who cares about a number if you are leaner looking and stronger? :)

Either way, including weight-training at least a couple times a week is a good thing.

moncj66 · Apr 4, 2013

Nurses tend to have terrible diets which is the main culprit of weight gain. I see all the high calorie sweets and fast food they eat and choose NOT to eat it. Bring your own food or eat healthy snacks throughout the day. I usually snack on carrots, greek yogurt, oranges, boiled eggs, edamame, string cheese, crackers, and nuts. Once you been eating healthy food for a while, u don't even want junk food anymore.

proud nurse, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2013

I'm not a huge eater. Every once in a great while I will overindulge. My biggest problem is I HAVE to exercise. The minute I stop exercising regularly, I put on weight. Exercising 4 days a week helps me maintain my weight, regardless of what food choices I make. I need to amp up the workout in order to lose weight. My doctor told me, running around crazy at work is what you do for a living...don't consider it your exercise for the day.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2013

My doctor told me, running around crazy at work is what you do for a living...don't consider it your exercise for the day.

YES. I like to think of exercise as something I do for myself, not as a by-product of work being crazy.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Apr 4, 2013

I lost 8 lbs since starting my new job, which includes night rotation. I figured out how I did it:
I graze during the day; I have breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. Lots of protein or fiber snacks, fresh fruits, veggies, salads, wraps, variation of meats and beans. I also prepare most of my food at home, and if I do sneak off to a greasy meal, it is once every two weeks. I also drink lots of water, smoothies, and tea, and don't excess over extra salt, sugar or caffeine; moderation.
I meditate. I've meditated since PN school, because of my test anxiety, and found it beneficial for the rest of my life, lol. I pick and choose my battles, and can only control my actions. I leave work at work and look ahead; if one looks at life as a constant problem, then satisfaction an happiness will seem unattainable. I'm not saying my life is sunshine and rainbows, but my experiences on problem solving have evolved, reflect, process, reprocess, store and rebuild, and move on.
I stay active with cardio, strength and yoga.
Stress is NO joke, and can wreak havoc physically and hormonally. Striking a balance to take care of oneself is a great key in staying healthy.

While your metabolism and work environment does affect weight gain, I also work permanent nights and lost weight. I'm very careful about my meals, and I'm 40, so my metabolism is definitely slower than it used to be. Even with exercise, my body wants to hold on to calories.

In the afternoon, I drink a smoothie and eat some nuts or eggs, in addition to 25 minutes of cardio and resistance 3 times a week.

I prepare my meals on my off days, so I know I'm eating healthy. Sometimes I have time for a few bites here and there while I'm working, but it's usually chicken or fish with veggies.

For snacks: eggs, yogurt, nuts, fruit, granola.

At 9am I eat again. Sometimes another meal of chicken or fish with veggies, or oatmeal and fruit.

Fast food is maybe once a month if that. My cookies and cakes are more the temptation, but I know that if I eat too many sweets, I'm going to gain weight.

It's not easy, but we must try to take care of ourselves first. I'm sick less than once a year, even with all the hours I'm working. I know that nutrition plays a major role.

minvoul · Apr 5, 2013

I do believe that non only nursing makes you fat but bring you to the edge.

First nursing is not for all. I've been in that field for several years and I am sure that nursing is full of illogical people therefore illogical work ethical to be polite...

you do not eat well, do not rest well, do not work well, do not take rest, eat junk food when it is not stolen. We all know it, what make you fatty is not only eating junk but an umbalanced life, work, nurse. Look around you and ask you coworker how many are on diet>pills, how many are taking any other rx rt to new illness they did not have prior to nursing.

Nursing does not make you fat, but Nursing does...

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 5, 2013

Surprisingly, I have maintained my weight, even after working nights for the past two years so my circadian rhythm and eating habits are all backwards.

Although it's true that I do eat an actual meal when I work (well, not always :rolleyes: but I usually eat between 0030-0200), I also tend to "graze" while I'm working. I bring healthy snacks - fresh fruit (bananas are my favorite, I like to bring apple or orange slices, too), greek yogurt, almonds, cheese & crackers, etc. I have always eaten snacks/smaller meals Q4H or so and I think that helps keep my metabolism in check and maintain my weight.

I also drink a lot of coffee.

anotherone, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

where do you graze? we are not allowed to eat at the desk and cant have staff in break room all night long. on a similar note i have been craving pineapples like crazy. i went to the grocery store today and there weren't any whole ones but three pre cut slices for $8. i didnt buy them but regret it now since i am still craving them!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

where do you graze? we are not allowed to eat at the desk and cant have staff in break room all night long.

Night shift supervision is pretty relaxed at my workplace, so after most visitors leave (around 10:00pm), my grazing coworkers whip out their fruits, nuts and veggies and bring them to the nurses station. We're not going to get into trouble for snacking at the nurses station at midnight at my place of employment.

on a similar note i have been craving pineapples like crazy. i went to the grocery store today and there weren't any whole ones but three pre cut slices for $8. i didnt buy them but regret it now since i am still craving them!!

In the region where I live, we have a low budget chain of grocery stores called ALDI that almost always has whole pineapples on sale for $0.99 each. $8 for pre-cut slices? I couldn't even imagine!