Anbody Else Gain a Ton of Weight in Nursing School?

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I swear, since I have been in school, I've gained an undisclosed amount of weight and it's soooo depressing! So of course I started back up at the gym in January ready for action. I started back to school towards the 2nd week of January but I still managed to hang in there. However, once the clinicals and the papers, and the paperwork and the studying (BTW I'm in an accelerated program) kicked in, I find myself glued to the table or the computer. Its never ending! I constantly feel like I'm under a pile of work and I feel guilty for any moment I take to do anything non school related.

On top of that I have a husband and kids who need me and a house thats a disaster... how do you all manage? I am up at like 4am to get my kids ready for school and at clinicals by 6am. I'm not out of school until 6 or 7pm and I have to come home and get busy with dinner, help kids with homework, get them ready for bed, get everything together for the next day (although hubby helps) and homework oh not to mention studying for every other week exams and in between that theres sleep.

Where does the workout happen? I've just resorted to small changes like not snacking on junk all day, and instead, taking baby carrots, grapes, sugar free jello or yogurt, nuts etc as snacking and taking lean cuisines

Thanks

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At our orientation, they were telling us how much weight nursing students gain because of the same reasons you just gave. So you are not alone. I will however say, the heavy students are the ones coming back to class from lunch with drinks from fast food places and stuff, where the average sized ones generally bring our lunches. Going out might seem time efficient, but it costs money and is usually heavy on the calories too.

Having said that - I think you're taking a good step by changing your snacking and eating habits while you're in school. I bet you'll drop a few pounds by just doing that, if you stick to it. As for time for exercise, maybe you could take a couple brisk walks between classes? I know I get antsy and cranky sitting in chair after chair after chair for lecture after lecture after lecture, and I try to let my body move around as much as I can between classes (especially during lunch). Maybe you could park farther away from class? I know the time crunch is tough, but like I said, your changed eating habits are a good start! Good luck! :)

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Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.

so far 18 lbs of weight loss!!!

i forget to eat! under stress!

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I initially thought this post was fake being your sign on name is ......

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"I initially thought this post was fake being your sign on name is ...... "

Ha! Actually someone gave me the nickname a little while ago and it kinda stuck. My name is close enough to it, some people think I am as sweet as it and (I know...TMI) guys used to ask me (without knowing the name) does it melt in your mouth? I know this sounds familiar but I get it alot because my complexion is that of milk chocolate so.... yes the post is 4 real.

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Specializes in LTC.

I've also gained weight during nursing school, but I've been working out more and being more cautious about what I eat. Today ws my first day of my second semester. I did bring fruit and a small snack, but I was still hungry. So I went to the vending machine. However, I made a smart choice. Instead of getting doritos I got cheese itz. I've also made small changes and so far its been working.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I gained 40 pounds during my time spent in an LVN program in '04 and '05.

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Specializes in EMERGENCY.

Oh crap.... that's bad news! I start school in two weeks & I'm already overweight!

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In my last 2 yrs of HS and for all 4 yrs of college, I carried approximately 30 extra pounds. I worked out an unbelievable amount, but honestly, it is what I ate and that I ate out of depression. I also read about dieting (being left brained) and truly tried to follow the advice given and that is when I GAINED that 30 pounds!

The good lord blessed me later. I weighed 169 the day my oldest was born. I began to eat more like I did in my early HS days......once a day and only when I am hungry so sometimes, it is breakfast, sometimes the other meals....never know from day to day. I eat whatever I want, just smaller portions and don't feel bad about not finishing a meal. I throw the excess away. Six months post partum I weighed 105 and didn't know it happened! (I learned because some "strange" things were going on at work and I found out what was being done behind my back....I went to confront my Commander and instead met up with the First Sergeant. He forced me onto the scale and I couldn't believe my eyes!!!)

I drink a lot of fluids through the day which keeps the appetite down. When stressed, I no longer eat, instead I go out and walk....fast...to burn off that stress.

I am no longer underweight either. I am 115. Listen to your body.

Also, I have lived the life of "SuperMom" and I have a hard time getting help from my kids without pulling teeth (and they are 16 - 23!!). I have also had a hard time asking my new hubby for help. But, I am learning! :D You said your hubby helps. Honestly, from your post, I believe that there is more he can do to help you out so you have time to exercise. I would recommend that you talk to him. Explain that you realize what you are asking for, but it is only for the short time you would be in nursing school. He might step up to the plate!

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Specializes in HCA, Physch, WC, Management.

Gained about 10lbs so far and that's more than enough. My weight fluctuates a lot but my increasingly sedentary lifestyle (ie - sitting on my rear reading, studying, in class, etc) does NOT help. A friend and I get to school early most days and walk around the school together before and after class and since clinical rotation has been a little slow so far, we have taken to pacing the halls waiting for a CNA or nurse to let us help with or observe something. Gotta get my exercise where I can.

I eat Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers meals, Lean pockets, and stuff like that for pretty much every meal. I've been doing that for a long time though because I have been on and off WW many times in the past. I really just try to stick with water and continue with my diet sodas, limit my snacking as much as I can and have cut out alcohol 100%.

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Yep, 25 pounds in just a year. However, I have leveled out for the last several months. I am a bigtime stress eater, and since nursing school is stressful, well... i don't see myself on the carrots and grapes diet anytime soon. I do try to emake overall healthy choices and not eat out too much. There is no time to workout, so I don't even go there. If I can maintain the weight I am for the next two years, then I will get it off after I get out of school. It is only temporary.

And no I am not one of those people that uses any excuse to eat/not work out/be overweight. Before nursing school, I lost 25 pounds by eating very well and going to the gym 5 days a week. I am just realistic and know my limitations, and my family, school, and job are more important right now than being skinny and hot.

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Not a TON, but I've gained back most of the 20 pounds I took off in the 2 years prior to school. :(

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