fat in nursing school

Zyprexa_Ho · May 12, 2016

I'm on a medicine that caused me to gain 45 pounds over the past two years. I've had some success with competent eating. You don't count calories, but you need to be conscientious about what you eat. You need to eat extremely slowly so you can notice when you feel full (this can take up to twenty minutes after eating). At the first sign of fullness, stop eating. No snacking!! Get a lot of protein. Also, get a lot of fiber in your diet. Perhaps try taking a fiber supplement and drinking a glass of water a while before eating. This takes some skill to get used to, but it is easier than counting calories. If you go out to eat, only eat like half of your entree. The portions in american restaurants are outrageous. If I go out to eat for dinner, I already know what I'm having for lunch the next day (ie the other half of what I had for dinner the day before). I also weigh myself daily first thing in the morning and keep a graph of my weight over time, so I can see how I am progressing.

Only like 3% of people who lose weight keep it off for years to come. Losing weight may be hard, but that is not the hardest part. Changing your lifestyle and keeping the weight off is the real challenge.

Studentnurse365 · May 12, 2016

I feel ya. I gained 30 lbs in nursing school and another 10 when I started working night shift. 1 positive is I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism- I guess that's a positive... was put on meds but it's been a back and forth battle trying to get the levels right. I'm too high im to low. I feel like sleeping all day I feel like running a marathon.

Count your calories, take the stairs instead of the elevator, park in the furthest spot away, do random things like that and soon you will have fulfilled your work out requirment.

guest769224 · May 12, 2016

No snacking!!

Why? Healthy snacks can keep us from overeating when mealtime arrives. And helps us control our portion sizes.

shrimp · May 12, 2016

I lost 40lbs between 2014/2015 and have managed to keep it off. Initially, I was working out daily, but, quite frankly, I hate going to the gym. You might find me there 1-2x a month lol. I'd rather do things that don't feel like I'm dying. I love scenery, so I often take walks, play volleyball, or go paddle boarding. I park far wherever I am. I don't buy cakes, cookies, or things like that. If I have a sweet tooth, I'll have a few ounces of 100% juice (a bottle or carton can last me up to 2 weeks) or make whatever it is I'm craving. Most times, I'm too lazy and know I'm not willing to eat it all myself as I live alone, so I don't bake it lol. I take a huge bottle of water with me everywhere I go and make sure I finish it by the end of my work day; it's really all that I drink. If there's any calorie counting I do, it's with drinks. It's easy to lose track.

I make sure to go grocery shopping on a full stomach. It's easy to get sidetracked and buy Oreos, donut holes, etc., due to hunger. I still have my moments, but I don't eat the junk I buy. I take it to work and tell my coworkers I thought of them while shopping lol. I also avoid the inner aisles when at the grocery store. I stick to fruits, veggies, and lean chicken or seafood. Pork sometimes, red meat seldom. I also steer clear of fast food; no drive-thrus. Like aforementioned, portion control is a big must when dining out. I make sure to fill up on veggies, then protein, then starch if I still want a few bites. I am a snacker. I always have to be nibbling on something or else I'll feel famished and splurge on a burger or something, so I usually have carrots or Wheat Thins nearby. That's just me. It looks like a lot and probably somewhat complicated, but it's literally become a lifestyle for me. It was tough in the beginning (I miss French fries and pizza), but it gets easier with time. I can't think about those kinds of foods without feeling guilty now.

Zyprexa_Ho · May 13, 2016

Why? Healthy snacks can keep us from overeating when mealtime arrives. And helps us control our portion sizes.

Leptin resistance

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 13, 2016

I put on weight in nursing school. It's stressful and makes cortisol go up which makes it easy to gain. I've recently gotten a Fitbit. It's amazing to see how much less active we are to what we think we are. I have several friends in there which makes my competitive side come out and I want to beat them on steps. It helps me to focus on getting that exercise done.

I also don't buy junk food. So I can't eat it if it's not there. I've lost almost 10lbs since February. And I have kept it off. I don't deprive myself, I just eat smaller portions and I make sure I get my 10k steps in a day.

FuturePN · May 13, 2016

Thanks so much for all the healthy eating advice! All great tips, I really appreciate it.

I guess what I'm really looking for though is how to emotionally get through feeling this way. All the best eating and activity in the world won't make a difference by tomorrow. This is the body I have right now and I want to be proud of everything that it is doing instead of hating everything about it. How do other people remain fat AND confident in this process???

augurey · May 13, 2016

Maybe it's a long shot, but do you think you could talk to a counselor or someone that specializes in weight management? Maybe that could help you sort your thoughts and work on ways to be more confident in yourself. You said it wasn't an issue before, but if it's starting now and starting to disrupt your life, even if minimally, it may be worth it.

I can't really offer much advice because I struggle with my weight, and it really shoots my confidence and self esteem down. I feel like this is the main thing I struggle with in school. Not even just school, but life. I've missed out on opportunities because of it. I do well with content and skills in school, but my weight just throws a wrench into it. I've had talks with my instructors about confidence (they've been awesome). I just can't seem to say that my lack of confidence is because of my weight.

I decided to go see someone to get myself sorted. School is important to me. My patients and their care is important to me. It shouldn't be compromised because I'm worried about my weight. After the struggles I had this semester, I pretty much said enough is enough and, as of last weekend, finally met with a therapist who specializes in weight management. It may take me time to work through whatever thoughts I have, but I know in the end it's going to be worth it.

I don't know if this sounds like something that could possibly help or be an option for you, but I wanted to throw that out there as a possibility.

explorereb96, ADN, BSN · May 13, 2016

Whenever you have "that feeling" (I know the feeling as well as any full figured person does) look down at yourself. Say to yourself, I have 2 working hands/arms. I have 2 working feet/legs. I have lungs that breath, I have a heart that beats. Except for the fat, I am relatively healthy. I am so much luckier than those that are missing limbs or do not have their healthy lungs/heart. I AM going to chang this situation that I have here. But right now, I still count myself lucky because I am whole. This is NOT to put down amputees and say they are less. Heck, they are strong and I admire how much stamina and determination that most of these people have. However, I don't know many who wouldn't want their limbs back. That's what I mean by lucky. In a nutshell, I look at almost everything like "it could be worse, but it isnt, so for that I am grateful."

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · May 14, 2016

I guess that emotionally you have to accept it. I get a physical every year. As long as my cholesterol is good, my sugar is good, and my heart is good, I'm good. I'm healthy as a horse and my weight doesn't affect that. I have Pcos so I worry about my sugar. But I'm good there and so is my physical ability. I do better than some of the younger, super skinny girls at work.

So so if in healthy, I'm good with my weight. My doc is good with it. If he's happy, I'm happy. I will also say, I spend time finding flattering clothes, and I have a fiancÃ© who think I'm awesomely sexy. He's super thin and I actually weigh a little more than he does. But he loves me for the person I am. And he thinks I'm sexy as all get out. That helps.

But I pay particular attention to how I dress. I always feel good in what I wear. It helps my confidence. That way I can project confidence into everything I do. When you believe you are sexy, you project confidence.

I also don't care what others think. I think of the dumb young girls making duck faces for every stinking selfie and how dumb they look. Lol. I may be overweight, but at least I don't look like that in a selfie!!!! Lol. I hope you get my point here. You gotta like yourself!! That's what makes you beautiful. Not a number on your jeans.

augurey · May 14, 2016

But I pay particular attention to how I dress. I always feel good in what I wear. It helps my confidence. That way I can project confidence into everything I do. When you believe you are sexy, you project confidence.
I also don't care what others think. I think of the dumb young girls making duck faces for every stinking selfie and how dumb they look. Lol. I may be overweight, but at least I don't look like that in a selfie!!!! Lol. I hope you get my point here. You gotta like yourself!! That's what makes you beautiful. Not a number on your jeans.

:laugh: seriously, I wish I could have that kind of confidence!