Anyone LOSE WEIGHT in nursing school?

Nursing Students General Students Nursing Q/A

I put on 20 lbs as a freshman and sophmore and I took 25 pounds off this year. Mostly due to working two jobs and not having enough time to eat bad food. I'm working hard to keep it off though. I was never overweight just had a little extra badonkadonk though I wonder how much weight I'll put on when I actually become an RN.

32 Answers

Specializes in Critical Care: Cardiac, VAD, Transplant.

I am waaay overweight and I have lost 40 lbs in two years. This semester is my first semester of the 'real' nursing material, so I have had no time for exercise but I also have no time for food. I have changed my dietary habits and run my butt off during clinicals but that is the only exercise I get. I eat mainly vegetarian and park as far away from my building on campus as I can and I use stairs instead of elevators. Right now my weight is just holding...no gain but no real loss.

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

I actually gained 40 pounds during my time in nursing school, primarily due to eating fast food on my lengthy commutes and living the sedentary lifestyle.

Yeah, I've lost weight so far. Probably from moving away from mom's home food and also being more active than I used to be running around to classes and clinicals and all. And I think stress makes me lose weight.

Oh my gosh, if anyone can tell me how to lose weight while in nursing school please share the secret!! lol

I have gained about 5 pounds from nervous eating!!

Specializes in Surgical/MedSurg/Oncology/Hospice.
Oh my gosh, if anyone can tell me how to lose weight while in nursing school please share the secret!! lol

I have gained about 5 pounds from nervous eating!!

Going through a divorce while in nursing school is a sure fire way to lose weight!:lol2: I just signed the divorce papers today, my ninth week of nursing school...I'm down 10 lbs since school started!

Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

I have lost weight since nursing school, but it is because I run 30ish miles a week.

Specializes in Cardiac.
Oh my gosh, if anyone can tell me how to lose weight while in nursing school please share the secret!! lol

I have gained about 5 pounds from nervous eating!!

Exercise!

Plus, it helps reduce nervous energy.

I lost weight in nursing school-but it was because I worked out a few times a week, in preparation for my wedding.

I'v lost, not much, about 5 lbs thus far, started NS in aug.....counting caland just vowed to not be the one drinking soda and eating junk food at every break from the vending machine, I bring those little lemonade packets to shake in a bottle of water (5 calories) and some dried fruit or crackers, then eat a lunch when i get home, I also eat a big breakfast so i wont be starving at school (usually oatmeal, scrambled eggs, toast, ect). I'v layed off my bad habit of ice cream and smoothies(which you think are healthly but are between 600-1000 calories).

I've dropped a few pounds too. I think it is because I don't have time to snack as much. I keep healthy snacks with me to avoid the vending machine traps.

Specializes in Family Practice.

I weighed around 140 lbs when I started nursing school...by the time I finished almost 2 years later, I was down to 117. I had a long commute and was breastfeeding the first quarter. I tend to lose weight when I am under stress, also.

mo

I haven't lost, but also haven't gained in my almost 2 semesters. I don't care for fast of processed food, so I don't eat it (I think I had McDonald's breakfast once in June...still gross). I make dinner 5-6 nights a week, we usually only go out once, and then probably pick up sushi and order pizza twice a month each. I eat breakfast every morning - usually a yogurt and either cereal or toast - and I pack a lunch every day. I make extra food at dinner on purpose so I can bring in leftovers, and I always keep dried fruit and mixed nuts in my bag. I bring two bottles of water every day (and I don't like soda) and I bring a big thermos of coffee - while I like mochas and stuff from starbuck's, I like my normal coffee black so when I bring my own I save money and calories. I'm really picky, so that helps me not to eat gross vending machine and fast food.

Specializes in ED.

Overall I have lost. I gained almost 10 lb the first year (2 year program) and so far this year I lost that plus 5 more. i decided that I was NOT going to gain another 10 lb from stress eating. I now exercise when I am stressed and do not eat fast food at all really. I do not snack when I am studying or doing school work. I eat my meals and that is it. No eating after dinner. For me, gaining weight made me feel worse and I was already stressed and busy enough I don't want to have to worry about my health as well. BUt I would say the trend is that a lot gain during school. I know many classmates complain of this. And I have also heard that many people gain when they become a RN. I am hoping this won't happen for me. I have to be prepared to not gain weight. I have to bring my own food everywhere. In clinical, everyone gets meals from the cafeteria (burgers, chips, fries, pizza) and I make myself bring my meal (sandwich, yogurt etc) and as much as the buger looks so good I know I'll feel better after eating what I brought (plus save money). So, it takes some planning but is worth it.

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