Do you eat well/exercise while in the program?

I watch what I eat and exercise a few times a week and I've had no problems maintaining my weight. I usually cook a few times a week. On one of those days, I'll make several meals to last throughout the week. I have found that I have to plan my meals and snacks and bring them with me or I'll find myself eating fast food or out of the vending machine. I don't really plan when I exercise. Usually, I'll just say to myself, you will exercise today and I do it. For the most part, I walk or jog. I have always had very healthy habits, so now it is just a continuation of them. For me, my health is one of my priorities; eating healthy and exercise is not an option.

I didn't at first and then realized how unhealthy I was and how it was affecting me mentally. I started running while in school and then last semester trained for and compelted my first marathon :) I also have premade food ready to take to work (I work FT on top of FT nursing school) and to heat up quickly before classes. I have found it's difficult to bring food to clinicals because we're not always able to have a place for our belongings so try to find healthy foods in the cafeteria. I'm in my last semester and have lost 50 pounds thus far with another 30 to go :)

I run, and try to keep up on my running while in school but it's hard going to school, going to work, and trying to find time to work out! I try to run at least 2-3 days a week. I try to eat healthy but it can be hard. For breakfast I usually have a greek yogurt and fruit, lunch and dinner both vary depending on my schedule. I don't really drink much soda to begin with so that helps.

I eat a lot and do Crossfit/heavy lifting. Got my 200 pound back squat last semester finally. Here's to 225 by the end of this one!!

I don't understand why people think it's so hard to be healthy while in nursing? But it's a choice:)

Super healthy student here. I run 3-4 days a week, lift 2 days a week and go to zumba 1 day a week. I eat paleo and have to bring my food with me everywhere I go so that I get enough to eat. I think it just takes a little planning to be healthy while in school.

It's time management, really. Every single person has an extra 30 mins somewhere

Its funny that you ask this question because a lot of people in my program have complained that they have gained weight since starting nursing school. These same people are the ones that go out to eat almost every day and eat a lot in one sitting. I set a goal for myself before starting the program that I would not fall into the trap that everyone will gain weight. As far as eating habbits go I am a snacker.... for breakfast I have a cheese stick and fruit, then I have multi grain and peanut butter crackers as a snack (6g of protein), for lunch I either get a salad or bring a turkey and cheese sandwhich on multi grain bread with more fruit, if I need an afternoon snack it will be a veggie of some kind (carrots, bell pepper, celery). Watching what I eat has worked out for me so far because I have lost about 5 lbs in the 8 weeks that I have been in school. The thing that I need to work on is working out.... I want to work out but never find myself actually doing it.

I would also like to say that I think that its a great idea that y'all are keeping each other accountable.... I wish some more people in my program would join me so that we too would have an accountability group.

Oh I forgot dinner, I make dinner almost every night but there are nights that there is no time to make dinner so we eat unhealthy (I have 2 boys so its usually pizza). The nights I make dinner we usually have a protein and a veggie (last night we had pork chops and squash). I try to limit how much carbs we consume.... it doesnt always work lol

Did PT (Army physical training) or lifted weights every day at the university gym. I lived on campus so three pretty balanced meals a day with protein supplements.

On the weekends I drank a lot.....

Have never eaten well, nursing school hasn't changed that. I work out 3 days a week. 1.5 hr weightlifting sessions each time.

Check out thedailyhiit.com, it's awesome. They have workout videos, challenges as well as tips and recipes for healthy eating

You guys have some great tips/insight! I appreciate you all sharing your health habits. :)

My breakfast set up works REALLY well for me and I'm very happy with it. I am not the biggest fan of eating breakfast and most breakfast foods, but the greek yogurt is not much while at the same time keeping me satiated for a few hours. The granola has all sorts of nuts in it - pecans, almonds, brazil nuts (which I love) and hazlenuts. I buy a bag of it at Trader Joes and then use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to measure it all out in individual baggies. So the night before, I cut up and package my fresh fruit, fill up my water bottle, set aside my yogurt cup, granola bag and utensils, then in the morning just literally throw it all in my purse and go. Needless to say it makes breakfast a joy now.

I am going to change lunch I think. The sandwiches aren't working out too well (partly because of cost - one bread loaf is usually $8.50). I'm thinking of just forgoing the bread and doing some sort of meat/cheese combo with my grapes and sweet potato chips. Hmmm...

Ordered two workout DVDs. They're not as awesome as Crossfit but I gotta work with what I can, lol. In fact, I attempted to participate in Crossfit classes and they worked us hard (of course, because Crossfit is balls to the wall like that). Anyway, I ended up pulling my external oblique that first day and had to drop out of not only the Crossfit classes but also my first ever 5k that I planned for myself that was right around the corner at the time. It sucked horribly and was very painful.

I still didn't get to run my 5k. Now since I fell off my game I have to retrain for one. Gah.