Finding time to exercise

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So my doctor is always telling me to exercise. My response of course, "I'm a nursing student, I don't have time". She says it would help relieve the stress. Did anyone find it hard to stay healthy while working, mothering and in nursing school? And if you had a regimen, what was it?

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Here's the realization I had to come to.

Whether I'm a nursing student and mom or a nurse and mom, I'm going to be busy and feel like I don't have enough time.

But the reality is, when I carve out 30min to an hour to exercise, I feel amazing. I get an huge energy boost a couple hours afterward on top of the stress relieving perks, so I get MORE done in the long run. Coming home drained and exhausted isn't much for productivity. Coming home feeling good and ready to get stuff done? It more than makes up for the time I spent working out. :)

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Specializes in Hospice + Palliative.
Here's the realization I had to come to.

Whether I'm a nursing student and mom or a nurse and mom, I'm going to be busy and feel like I don't have enough time.

YES!!! So true.

I find that when I'm not taking time to move my body, I am short tempered, feel awful, and just am not a nice person to be around. So, I carve out the time - even if it's just for a quick walk around the neighborhood after dinner (usually with a kid or two in tow) On days that I've got class but no clinical, I get up early in the morning and do yoga or run, then come home and get everyone ready for the day. On clinical days (when I'm already getting up before sunrise, I'm not going to workout early, lol!) I will do the after dinner thing, and then do a short yoga practice before bedtime. Typically, I'll look at the week's calendar on Sunday evening and schedule in where workouts will fit, and then stick to that plan. If I leave it to "oh it'll just fit in" it doesn't happen - so I plan the schedule and then stick to it!

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Here's the realization I had to come to.

Whether I'm a nursing student and mom or a nurse and mom, I'm going to be busy and feel like I don't have enough time.

But the reality is, when I carve out 30min to an hour to exercise, I feel amazing. I get an huge energy boost a couple hours afterward on top of the stress relieving perks, so I get MORE done in the long run. Coming home drained and exhausted isn't much for productivity. Coming home feeling good and ready to get stuff done? It more than makes up for the time I spent working out. :)

That is such a great point. Thanks for the feedback.

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YES!!! So true.

I find that when I'm not taking time to move my body, I am short tempered, feel awful, and just am not a nice person to be around. So, I carve out the time - even if it's just for a quick walk around the neighborhood after dinner (usually with a kid or two in tow) On days that I've got class but no clinical, I get up early in the morning and do yoga or run, then come home and get everyone ready for the day. On clinical days (when I'm already getting up before sunrise, I'm not going to workout early, lol!) I will do the after dinner thing, and then do a short yoga practice before bedtime. Typically, I'll look at the week's calendar on Sunday evening and schedule in where workouts will fit, and then stick to that plan. If I leave it to "oh it'll just fit in" it doesn't happen - so I plan the schedule and then stick to it!

Seems like you have it all worked out. I def need to try something to eliminate the stress.

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I also didn't have time to go to the gym once I started NS, so I ditched my membership. Now I do P90X at home 3-5 days a week. No commute time, no babysitter needed, and you can even break the workouts up if you need to. I recommend it.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

I like the "I don't have time" excuse. I have used it many times myself. An instructor gave us an assignment to keep a 48-hour log of how we spend our time. It was a chart with 15-minute increments. It was amazing to see on paper how much time I wasted each day on Facebook, AllNurses, just being lazy on the couch, etc. Something as simple as taking a 15-minute walk each day will benefit you greatly. Take the kids with you, kids need fresh air and exercise too! Everyone has at least 15 mins a day. I think most of us just don't FEEL like working out. It can be hard to find the motivation to get up and work out after a long day of class/clinicals. So this semester I plan to get up early before class and do at least 20 mins of cardio at the gym at least 3x per week. The gym is 1/2 mile from my house, and my husband is working the early shift so he can wake me up early so I am forced to go :) Also, I have two big, young dogs that need daily walks. They give me sad puppy dog eyes until I get off my butt and walk them. Find a classmate or friend who will keep you accountable for working out. If there isn't a gym close by or you can't afford it, walk/jog outside, or, spending $20 at Walmart will get you a workout DVD and some weights. Try Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. It is a killer! I find that I have a ton more energy, better focus, and I sleep better when I do 15-20 mins of moderate exercise daily. You need all of those things to be successful in school.

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