A weighty issue

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Feb 19, 2004

I agree with you there, healingtouch! Sometimes I wonder whether all the stuff I've gone through in life, happened so that I could empathize with my patients' problems and help them through their own rough times. After all, not all patient "teaching" comes from booklets and handouts......sometimes it's best when it comes from a healthcare provider who's lived with the same condition, struggled with it, tried different things to control it, and even failed a number of times!

gypsyatheart · Feb 19, 2004

As a nurse, do you feel pressured to maintain a healthy weight because you are looked upon as a role model?

I'm just curious why you limit the question to "maintaining a healthy weight"...?

Why not ask if nurse's feel pressured to maintain a healthy lifestyle period? Like not smoking, avoiding alcohol/drug abuse, exercising, healthy eating, etc.

I personally work at these things not because I'm a nurse, but because I value my life, and my family. My children need me to be here for them. Plus, I don't like being unhealthy, sick, etc.

Of course, being a nurse has helped me by giving me the knowledge to help me with these goals. :)

healingtouchRN · Feb 19, 2004

I also have family member with advanced heart disease & in-laws with adv. pulmonary disease so I use these people close to me in conversation with my clients. I think they see me as more human with the similar struggles as themselves. One relative in mention, is on a fixed income in public housing, whom we assist in various ways, does not drive, & depedant on us for a good bit. My clients see that healthcare people are not immune to this way of life. I recently had a freak injuty leaving out of work for 2 months, thank goodness that I had 15 + years of saved long term sickleave (I was @ max accumulation) so I had a check the entire time. I am still paying off MD & PT & ortho bills. They hit with christmas bills @ the same time. My clients even hugged my neck when they see me working in my titanium brace, sweating after CRP....I know these people see me as themselves. What a humbling effect it has on a soul... :rolleyes: gotta get my shower before my shift!

zenman · Feb 21, 2004

"I'm too sexy for my shorts!" 6' 3" 211 pounds of almost ripped flesh. BP 107/52, P 54

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Feb 21, 2004

Lord, give me strength.

(sigh)

jadednurse · Feb 21, 2004

Lord, give me strength.
(sigh)

(double sigh)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

(double sigh)

Triple sign and an LOL and a :)

zambezi, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2004

Yes.
But mostly I take care of myself for me, not because I'm a role model.

Took the words out of my mouth! Head, actually, since I am not reading the posts outloud to myself :chuckle

Actually--I feel pressured to eat better by my staff members--all of whom are on diets. I am 25, active...work out pretty frequently, etc. I am pretty lucky because I can eat almost whatever I want (but I usually eat within reason)...I guess my metabolism hasn't hit that wall yet. I feel kind of bad when I bring a huge burrito to work for dinner and snack throughout the night (though usually on fruits/veggies/popcorn) and everyone else is eating salad and weight watchers dinners.

But as Tweety said--I do try to stay healthy for me, so I feel good--when my metabolism does hit the wall, hopefully, I will be ready! I will say that I admire all of you fighting weight...from watching my parents and coworkers, I can tell that it takes a lot of willpower and determination...I applaud those of you working to make changes for yourself :)

kc ccurn · Feb 22, 2004

It seems like once I hit 30 my metabolism slowed way down. Combined with the stuff we eat at work....okay....graze on at work doesn't help, especially at all the odd hours that we eat. It's not unusual to break out the chips and salsa at 0400 for an early morning start to our day.

And I know that the coffee the hospital provides does no good to anyone's GI track....yuck!!!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 22, 2004

"I'm too sexy for my shorts!" 6' 3" 211 pounds of almost ripped flesh. BP 107/52, P 54

ummm ok. good for you.

uk_nurse · Feb 22, 2004

me well i am slim and i can eat what i like and not put on weight! lucky me you might say but if i dont eat properly and regularly, which as you all know is quite difficult at times in nursing, i lose weight and i feel so lethargic. I was told by other colleagues that going to the gym was good and it helped them be more lively and fit. Wow i thought, i would give it a go. Well after a number of weeks i began losing weight very quickly. Was advised to stop going to the gym. I must admit i did feel better when i first went but i looked 'terrible' i was told. so now i carry on as before , when at work eat when i can and when at home eat regularly and my weight fluctuates quite a bit. I dont bother about being a role model in my job, people take me as i am or not at all.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2004

me well i am slim and i can eat what i like and not put on weight! lucky me you might say but if i dont eat properly and regularly, which as you all know is quite difficult at times in nursing, i lose weight and i feel so lethargic. I was told by other colleagues that going to the gym was good and it helped them be more lively and fit. Wow i thought, i would give it a go. Well after a number of weeks i began losing weight very quickly. Was advised to stop going to the gym. I must admit i did feel better when i first went but i looked 'terrible' i was told. so now i carry on as before , when at work eat when i can and when at home eat regularly and my weight fluctuates quite a bit. I dont bother about being a role model in my job, people take me as i am or not at all.

Sounds like you're not eating enough. It's hard to tell a skinny person to eat more, but when you increase your activity you eat more. When I was a marathon runner in training and a vegetarian to boot, people said the same thing about me, that I was too skinny. (Oh how I long for those days today?) But to stop exercising altogether is that a good idea?