I've noticed here how a lot of people talk about how much weight you gain in nursing school...so I'm curious: If you have yet to start NS, do you think you'll put on weight? If you're already in NS, have you put on weight?
I'm starting in a week and a half...and I think there's pretty much no way I'll gain weight. I didn't gain the freshman 15 last year at school (I didn't really gain much of anything, unless you count like 3-5lbs which was probably mostly muscle and bone since my figure finally started filling out)...and honestly, I'm pretty sure that I haven't gained any real weight in like, 3 or 4 years (as in, I still weigh within 5lbs of what I did at the beginning of high school or so).
So, considering this and what I've heard the reason for people in gaining weight in NS is stress and stress eating along with the fact that when I'm really stressed, I eat nothing...if anything, I think I'll lose weight.
I was in the same boat as you, did not get the freshman 15, was young, never thought I would gain weight in school... then nursing crept in. I didn't think I was a horrible eater, yes I ate fast food once a week or so. I didn't have time to work out between school/jobs/social activities. Then one day we were doing assessments on each other, I got on the scale and I was around 120lbs! OMG that was a reality check. I've never been that weight my entire life (I am 5'2). My jeans fit tighter but thank god no muffin top, and I was still a size 1. So once class got out, I worked out 5 times a week for 12 weeks and starting eating healthy. I whipped my body into shape immediately. I am under 110lbs now and my pants are getting loose on me... I might need to get new size 0 jean's instead. As long as I keep eating healthy, exercise isn't even needed, and I'm still losing weight (albeit slowly). Anyway I don't like to blame things for gaining weight but I would have to attribute the stress from school to this. I definitely learned my lesson!
If stress made me gain weight (stress eating), then I might be worried about that...but I eat practically nothing when I'm stressed (only as much as I need to function)...so I tend to lose weight. This summer for example...I ate out all the time since I was never home for meals because I worked all the time along with taking A&P II (I ate pizza and Subway most of the time for lunch and/or dinner)...and I've lost weight.
I lost weight before I went to NS. I have basically been up and down within 8lbs since NS but this summer lost another 18 lbs. So I expect this fall to once again go up and down 8lbs before winter break then lose 8lbs then gain. Then lose it again next summer. I don't sweat it because overall I have LOST yayyyy more weight before I went to NS school so an up and down of 8lbs does not bother me the least. I call it the crazy 8's since I fluctuate between that when I'm in school :)
Wow after reading thread I just noticed that some of you guys are size 0, 1 or 2 and worried about losing weight....um...ok. BACK AWAY FROM THE VOGUE MAGAZINE PRONTO! Breathe...eat healthy and exercise you guys do NOT need to focus on your weight. Intervention time.
I used to say the same thing......oh i never gain weight. HA.....wait till you turn 30 and your metabolism quietly sneaks out the back door when you aren't looking.
wow...seems like everyone here thinks nursing school has been great for their waistband..haha I really doubt that is the majority. I know for me weight has always been a struggle... Ive been able to loose weight during NS and ive been able to pack on pounds too..lol
Sucks.. its all about dedication tho...there was a point last semester where i was just so stressed...all eating healthy went out the window. Too tired for the gym (or i was just lazy....but still extremely tired.) And i took comfort in.. well.. comfort food. I put on like 15 pounds...and felt horrible.. But this summer I got back on track and lost about 25lbs and Im hoping to keep it up when school starts again. Its all about making it a priority.
For the first few months, I stayed the same since classes were "easy". Then they started to load us up so I started to stop cooking my meals and just started to eat junk food since I had so much reading. Then group meetings at Panera and stuff was also not helping and I was 210 (for the past few years, Ive had a muscular body type and I was never able to gain or lose...I was stuck at 200). Went to the docs for a checkup and I was 215. Month later, did the same and eventually I was 230.
That was the big "Holy xxxx" for me and I started to watch what I ate, started to run again since I stopped because of knee problems, and I also started to work at a PCT. I think being a PCT is the biggest helper since I am now back to 205.
i hope not.. ive put on a couple pounds over the summer because ive been so bored without school! haha. I think i eat a lot less when i am busy with school.
I did the same thing...I was home all summer with no school, ate too much, and gained a few pounds.
I know I'll lose weight once I start school. I don't eat fast food or vending machine food and pack a healthy lunch and snacks. I currently run about 20-25 miles in 3/4 days every week and don't plan on changing that when school starts (great stress relief, makes me feel good, and doubles as social time with my friends).
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I was able to finally start to lose weight in school. I gained a lot of weight after my last pregnancy from a lot of back and pelvis problems. I started physical therapy at the start of my school year last year and so I was able to do more. When I started hospital clinicals I was on my feet a lot more and was drinking tons of water. I also made sure not to eat crappy at school and I was starting to lose weight. I have continued it over the summer. I have lost 32 lbs since march. It can be done. You don't have to gain weight in nursing school. You can record lectures and go walking while you listen to them. Walk around campus on breaks and so on.
It wouldn't be bad if I gained some weight...It would actually be much worse if I lost weight! I only weigh about 115 pounds, and I'm 5'4 which I have been since I was 15 or so, and I'm now 19, almost 20 so it's not like I'm growing anymore.
When you get older, your metabolism will probably slow down and it's easy to gain weight that way. Once I hit 23, 24, I noticed that I just couldn't eat the same things as I did before without gaining weight. I've been skinny all my life (throughout high school and college I weighed 100lbs on a 5'3" frame), so it was a bit of a surprise to me. I now weigh 110 (26 yrs old), but it's a healthy weight and I manage that by running and doing yoga.
Wow after reading thread I just noticed that some of you guys are size 0, 1 or 2 and worried about losing weight....um...ok. BACK AWAY FROM THE VOGUE MAGAZINE PRONTO! Breathe...eat healthy and exercise you guys do NOT need to focus on your weight. Intervention time.
I think those of us who are small are also small in height. There isn't a lot of weight to distribute when you are barely over 5 feet tall I believe that as long as you eat a balanced diet and exercise, you will be your natural weight, whether that be 100 lbs or 150 lbs. I welcome all the shapes & sizes we come in as long as its achieved in a healthy way!
I start school Monday and have heard the same thing about gaining weight. Good lord, I hope I don't. I'm thinking I won't because of this. For me to go to school, I'm cutting my work hours significantly and for the first time in a long time, we are going to be on a VERY tight budget. We won't be able to afford to eat out all the time and I'm going to have to cook at home every night.
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I believe that as long as you eat a balanced diet and exercise, you will be your natural weight, whether that be 100 lbs or 150 lbs. I welcome all the shapes & sizes we come in as long as its achieved in a healthy way!
tokyoROSE, BSN, RN
1 Article; 526 Posts
I was in the same boat as you, did not get the freshman 15, was young, never thought I would gain weight in school... then nursing crept in. I didn't think I was a horrible eater, yes I ate fast food once a week or so. I didn't have time to work out between school/jobs/social activities. Then one day we were doing assessments on each other, I got on the scale and I was around 120lbs! OMG that was a reality check. I've never been that weight my entire life (I am 5'2). My jeans fit tighter but thank god no muffin top, and I was still a size 1. So once class got out, I worked out 5 times a week for 12 weeks and starting eating healthy. I whipped my body into shape immediately. I am under 110lbs now and my pants are getting loose on me... I might need to get new size 0 jean's instead. As long as I keep eating healthy, exercise isn't even needed, and I'm still losing weight (albeit slowly). Anyway I don't like to blame things for gaining weight but I would have to attribute the stress from school to this. I definitely learned my lesson!