First Year--Gain Weight or Lose Weight?

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

I was at my yearly GYN exam last week and realized (hardly a shock, just in denial) that I have gained over 10 lbs since the start of nursing school. I have this huge fear that in my first year of nursing, I won't lose the weight and I'll gain even more.

So, my question is, in your first year, did you gain or lose weight (or stay the same)? Does anyone have any tips (besides staying away from the cookies in the break room) on trying to lose weight while under the stress of the first year?

Thanks!

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Specializes in med-surg/ortho for now.

Well I moved from NY to AZ and started my first RN job...after 1 month my pants were so loose. I lost 10 lbs. so far. I also started out works nights and my eating patterns were all out of whack. I usually bring my own food to work. I pack a salad and a yogurt, or make a huge pot of soup that lasts a few days. I try to eat light because I dont want a heavy meal at 3am. But I also exercise too! :balloons:

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Lost, about 20 total. Mainly because i had more time to work out again, and i wasn't stress eating anymore.

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I gained about 10 pounds...lol....and I needed it!! Finally...no balancing full time employment and full time nursing school!! No burning the candle at both ends as my mother used to say. Came back to noc shift...I am definately a night person!!...slept better, ate better...healthier all the way around!;)

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So, my question is, in your first year, did you gain or lose weight (or stay the same)? Does anyone have any tips (besides staying away from the cookies in the break room) on trying to lose weight while under the stress of the first year?

Thanks!

I've been working for over 2 months now and I've lost weight. I have never been the type to eat big on junk food, but I do love food and lots of home cooking!

On a typical work day I have a veggie sausage and apple or peach for breakfast. I get to work and hit the floor running. Vital signs, then assessments to chart. 9am meds and finishing up assessment charting. Then my 11am meds which include my insulins and making sure pts ate their lunch meals and getting all my insulins verified by other nurses who are running around doing med passes so I have to hunt someone down.

Finally, a lunch break, I sit for 20 mins eating a lean cuisine and talk on the phone. Hit the floor running again for 2pm med passes and getting all my dressings changed. I usually get a few mins in the afternoon to chat with co-workers.

Not to mention the OOB (out of bed) orders, some pt's are immobile so we have to hunt down the hoyer, plus a CNA to assist. And also all the bedbaths and bedpans that happen during the day by CNAs. I like to help my CNA with at least one bedbath because as swamped as I feel, I know they are even more overworked.

New admits and discharges here and there. I get a possible afternoon snack in which I bring fruit, an apricot or plum to curb the hunger. By the time I get home what my husband has cooked is mostly gone except for one plate he leaves hot for me, so second helpings are out of the question. I'm really not eating much. But I like it. Mostly fruit, a lean cuisine, and my small dinner plate. I am 5/5" and 128. I am running all day long, but it's actually really good for my health.

Rebecca

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Specializes in NICU.

I gained about ten lbs. my first semester, which surprised me :-o I figured since I was on my feet a lot, and lifting heavy patients, etc. I would lose weight...then again, I used to walk across campus a couple of times a day. Now I'm stuck in the nursing building and have friends with cars, so no more walking ;)

I did lose most of the weight once summer started, though, although I'm afraid I'll gain it back when school starts *needs to start getting careful about what I eat again*

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I have gained quite a bit of weight. Most of it was my own fault. I know I can not eat the way others do, but I did. I finally started packing my own lunch bag for study sessions. I summon my will power to avoid all the things that I can't have. I am hypoglycemic. My eating bad, and weight gain had not so good affects on me. But for the last month or so I have stuck to my "diet" and have lost almost 15lbs of what I put on. YAY ME! I think that its important to figure out how to deal with the stress. I took up Yoga. Just my thoughts.

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

In nursing school I gained weight. All that sitting around and studying. When I graduated nursing school I was about 10 lbs up from my regular weight. I have been working MICU for 6 months now......EAT, who has time, LOL? I have lost 10 lbs quite easily in the 6 months I have been working. I am in constant motion at work, the cafeteria is closed, and I grab peanut butter and cheese crackers from the vending machine. I eat well on my days off though. I could lose about 10 more lbs....but after that it might be a problem. I guess I could guzzle down some Ensure while I am charting :trout:

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Specializes in Neuro ICU, Neuro/Trauma stepdown.

i've been significantly overweight my whole life, so i'm on a slightly different continuum, but i gained 40lbs in nursing school. i haven't started working yet (boards on wednesday) but i noticed my eating habits changed the day school was finished...

when i graduated high school and started working as an aide, i lost 60lbs in the first year...i graduated nursing school at same weight i finished high school at!

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I too have gained 10lbs this last year studying. my story is a little different as I graduated along time ago. I started studying about a year ago and last christmas my hubby bought me a laptop to make my studies easier! Easier? yes! But man it is amazing the trap you can get into thinking youhave to have snacks when at the keyboard! I passed on June 5th and have already lost about 4 lbs. amazing! I do have high metabolism but I am in my mid 30's need to curb this while I can! LOL I will be working in ED and I am hearing that alot of nurses eat on the run. I will definately have to come up with a game plan just to maintain I presume!

AmyD RN

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Specializes in oncology.

I gained 10lbs during my first year of nursing, although I work at night and they say sometimes when you are tired you eat extra cals to stay awake, i think that this is ture in my case

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:troll: well....let's see....I'd say the first 3 months I was losing weight because of stress (I lost about 10-15 lbs in 3 months) but guess what???!!!!!! I'm gaining it back and fast (and more...)...I'm soooo hating it...I have wedding to attend to in September and I just can't seem to stop eating....I'm no longer as stressed at work anymore....my time management has improved to the point where I finally have time to eat at work......Yikes!!! I actually am going to joing 24-hour fitness next week.....
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