Advice Please - Thank You!

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Hello All -

I'm begin my CNA training tomorrow...

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Specializes in Neuro.
hello all -

i'm begin my cna training tomorrow. plan to become cna, then pct, then lpn and then rn. i'm 39 - i'm overweight and out of shape - this is my second career (recently downsized after 16 years with the company) and i need advice/suggestions. i feel the best people to ask are on this site.;)

  • shoes - what would you recommend? i'm leaning toward crocs - but, really have no idea what is best.
  • socks - recommendations. athletic, thin, thick?
  • weight loss - i would be doing very well to lose 60 lbs - but, would be best to lose 90-100. any recommendations on quick-weight-loss diet (although, i'm one of those overweight people (being overweight since about 12 years old) that thinks - science can put a man on the moon for goodness' sakes - but, they can't make weight lose quicker. i'm just kidding...kind[color=white]=of! :lol2: i know! i know! i didn't gain it overnight. nothing worth having isn't worth working hard for. yadda! yadda! (i'm trying to be humorous!)
  • exercise - i've heard it is best to focus on stomach muscle to support the back. any other recommendations for increasing fitness. i have a treadmill. i would rather not have to pay for a gym membership or personal training - but, would consider it if required.
  • any recommendations for increasing energy?

i am committed to this second-chance career - and all that goes along with it. i appreciate anything you experts are willing to share!

thank you!

rmbnaz

shoes: the problem with crocs is some facilities have policies regarding shoes, such as no open heel (which would exclude crocs or any type of clog). unless you know where you're going to be working and what their dress code is, i'd try for a closed-toed and closed-heeled shoe. i got some from spring step for about $50 that are similar to danskos which came highly recommended (my school doesn't allow open heels).

socks: i'd get whatever socks fit best in your shoes, or athletic socks. if you find your legs ache at the end of the day, you might want to look into pressure socks that'll help with circulation.

weight loss: no ideas, sorry. just portion control, exercise... all the usual stuff. i have been very fortunate in the weight department so far.

exercise: yeah, abs are good. i'd also work on arms, and just overall endurance. 8-12 hours of non-stop standing and walking can really wear your body out if you're lacking endurance.

increasing energy: get lots of sleep, eat breakfast/snacks as needed, build up endurance.

good luck!

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Specializes in geriatric, hospice, med/surg.

Be sure to try on shoes in the afternoon when your feet are at their fullest size-wise. If Crocs are comfie for you, then wear Crocs if they're allowed where you'll be working. Some places do not allow them as they are not considered safe place work shoes. (doesn't cover the heel, maybe not nonpermeable, don't know. something along those lines, but have seen them worn a lot in health care settings.)

I wear thicker white athletic socks in the winter, thinner socks in summer.

Weight loss: I need to lose exactly the same amount as what you've stated. 60-100 pounds would get me more near a target of healthier weight for my height. My suggestion: portion control, of course. Do not allow yourself to be sucked into the latest and greatest weight loss scheme out there. Too many of them these days. Weight watchers would be an excellent weight loss/maintenance program that is different in every way from any of the other schemes.

Drinking lots of water really helps, too, as has been stated and proven ad nauseam, but really, it makes a huge difference in how you feel and in filling that belly!

Walking, not running or jogging. Build up your distances slowly and gradually you will feel fit enough to use that gym equipment you have at home, and also to pick up the pace of your walk in addition to lengthening your walk distance wise.

Good luck to you in your CNA PLUS career move. Congratualtions for changing your life! Be gentle to yourself. Not too many new things at once or you may get overwhelmed. Don't crash diet while you're in school for cna/nurse. Those are two HUGE things that don't mix well! (I'd tell someone the same for not trying to quit smoking, for example...just too overwhelming!)

A general all purpose vitamin from a drugstore, health food store, or grocery may improve your overall energy levels. Stay away from fad promises of energy drinks, pills that boost energy with unusally high doses of bad chemicals your body simply cannot process.

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Why not just go straight to RN instead of doing LPN first? I'm sure there are some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion of just going straight through.

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congratualtions for changing your life! be gentle to yourself.

thank you for everything in your response post. the quoted portion above really touched me. i left my job of 16 years due to workplace bullies and a toxic environment (for 3+ years...long story); and, i've wrestled with the decision - even though i know it was the best thing for me to do for myself.

i appreciate your generosity.

rmbnaz

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Why not just go straight to RN instead of doing LPN first? I'm sure there are some drawbacks, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion of just going straight through.

My thought was I could work as an LPN (making more $s than CNA) while pursuing RN. But, this is definitely a new path for me - What are your thoughts on the benefits of going straight through to RN?

RMBnAZ

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Specializes in NICU.

Shoes--wear what's comfortable. Lots of people wear crocs and if they work for you, then great! I usually wear whichever pair of running shoes I've just demoted, LOL. You're going to want shoes that are supportive, definitely.

Diet: Don't do anything drastic :no: Substitute healthy foods for non-healthy ones. Avoid white sugar as much as possible. I'd shoot for eating better than losing weight at this point; I bet weight loss will follow, but you don't need the stress of a low-cal diet now.

Socks: comfy ones that fit in your shoes :)

Exercise: Walk 5-7 days a week. That will build up your leg muscles as well as your abs to an extent without being too hard on your body. That's great you have a treadmill at home. Buy some hand weights and do a few tri/bi/shoulder reps 3 days a week. Those won't take much time, but you should notice a difference in a few weeks--you'll be stronger and your arms will be cuter :)

Increasing energy: SLEEP! Seriously, hard as it is, try to get enough. It will help immensely in work and school. Learning new things takes a tremendous amount of energy (at least it does for me) and since you're in for the long-haul, caffeine only goes so far. Whole grains, fruits, that kind of food will help pace you through your day. Drink enough water.

And have fun! You'll have a blast and when it's over you won't believe how quickly it went.

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shoes--wear what's comfortable. lots of people wear crocs and if they work for you, then great! i usually wear whichever pair of running shoes i've just demoted, lol. you're going to want shoes that are supportive, definitely.

diet: don't do anything drastic :no: substitute healthy foods for non-healthy ones. avoid white sugar as much as possible. i'd shoot for eating better than losing weight at this point; i bet weight loss will follow, but you don't need the stress of a low-cal diet now.

socks: comfy ones that fit in your shoes :)

exercise: walk 5-7 days a week. that will build up your leg muscles as well as your abs to an extent without being too hard on your body. that's great you have a treadmill at home. buy some hand weights and do a few tri/bi/shoulder reps 3 days a week. those won't take much time, but you should notice a difference in a few weeks--you'll be stronger and your arms will be cuter :)

increasing energy: sleep! seriously, hard as it is, try to get enough. it will help immensely in work and school. learning new things takes a tremendous amount of energy (at least it does for me) and since you're in for the long-haul, caffeine only goes so far. whole grains, fruits, that kind of food will help pace you through your day. drink enough water.

and have fun! you'll have a blast and when it's over you won't believe how quickly it went.

thank you for your response. loved your suggestions and your sense of humor. (i often say "if i didn't have my sense of humor - i would have forgotten not to kill myself" - morbid [a bit], but there is a bit of sarcastic truth in it).

i think all types of people should support this website. the people here are so giving and supportive. great thing to have in your life!

thanks again!

rmbnaz

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Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
thank you for your response. loved your suggestions and your sense of humor. (i often say "if i didn't have my sense of humor - i would have forgotten not to kill myself" - morbid [a bit], but there is a bit of sarcastic truth in it).

i think all types of people should support this website. the people here are so giving and supportive. great thing to have in your life!

thanks again!

rmbnaz

https://allnurses.com/forums/f240/healthier-living-support-part-iii-156279.html

hey,

i think this link will work - to get you to the allnurses healthier living support part iii - where a few of us are checking in daily (or whenever) re diet, exercise, stress, just being generally supportive, etc. feel free to come by! and i think it's great you are trying something new!

take care!

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