gaining weight in nursing school

Ladyj83 · May 2, 2011

what an interesting idea! I think it would make sense that a student doing more clinical work would lose more. I think it also depends on your living situation. If you're in first year and using the school's meal plan, I think you would gain more weight because you aren't monitoring what goes into your food as much as you would be if you were to prepare it yourself. I also agree that your weight is reflected mostly by what you put in your mouth and somewhat by how much you exercise. I eat mostly fresh foods that are naturally low in fat, low in preservatives, and high in fibre. 5 small meals a day is also a good rule to go by as long as you include a complex carb and protein each time you eat. I also find that exercising helps you make healthy choices because you feel good and you know you've done the work so why spoil it with chips, chocolate, or fast food?

Ladyj83 · May 2, 2011

p.s. In my first year of university I lived in Rez and gained 30lbs. Mostly from late night chow, drinking, and eating the wrong stuff.

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · May 2, 2011

I know many people that gained in nursing school. I haven't gained any weight but I was trying to lose some weight before starting and have had a hard time still sticking to making good decisions. I have started excerciising more just because it helps me control my stress level and I feel good after. So I am hoping that I can get back on track and lose the weight I was trying to before I started nursing school.

sandyfeet · May 2, 2011

I haven't gained or lost any weight. I attribute this to running 4-5 days a week and/but not really watching what I eat. There are some healthy behaviors I do naturally though, like having fruit at post-conference while everyone else is having ice cream, and packing my lunch instead of buying whatever the cafeteria has. I know that if I paid more attention to my diet I could lose weight but at this point I am happy that I have not gained any!

noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP · May 2, 2011

I lost 10 pounds during my last two semesters. Was too stressed to eat properly.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · May 3, 2011

I gained 1.5 lbs this past week...it's finals week! But as long as my weight stays within a 5-point range, I'm happy, since I know it fluctuates. I try to exercise a couple times a week, but my diet is horrible. For now, as long as I'm maintaining my weight and not gaining, I consider that a success.

lol are you kidding, i can gain 1.5 lbs from eating a cheese steak. :uhoh3:

but really, i havent really gained any weight... yet!

cschoppe · May 3, 2011

This is my 4th semester of NS and I've gained 18lbs...I started off a bit underweight (I have never had a prob. w/ weight in my life and could eat the whole neighborhood and nothing would happen)...i started off at 122-123 and now am anywhere from 137-140! My problem is that whenever I have to do something really stressful, and after I accomplish it, then I reward myself w/ really good food lol...grr...once my life gets back to normal I think I'll be able to work on it better

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · May 3, 2011

so i would like to know how many of you gained weight while in nursing school and how much?

30 pounds. 1 year accelerated program. I am a stress eater.

Piper17 · May 3, 2011

went from like 137-140 to 147-150, it always varies from finals week when stress is high, to summer when i have plenty of time to work out. it sucks, i wish eating candy and drinking coffee/energy drinks didn't make it so much easier to study!!

2ndyearstudent, CNA · May 3, 2011

so i would like to know how many of you gained weight while in nursing school and how much?

I did gain some weight going to school. However I'm about to graduate and I have lost 60 pounds. For a year and a half, I blamed nursing school for not being able to lose weight. Then I cut out soda, white chocolate mochas, fast food, and started exercising more. (Mostly walking, but some weight lifting and (recently) yoga.

Replaced cruddy food with fruits, veggies and lean meats.

Turns out that nutrition and wellness crap they teach us really works! It ain't easy though.

Marie41 · May 4, 2011

I am in my third quarter with 3 to go and have gained 20 lbs. Lots of time spent at my desk or in lecture instead of the gym now.

FrazzledButBlessed · May 5, 2011

Gained 18 pounds, but have lost 5 lately. It's very easy to put on weight the first half. New friendships, going out to eat, stress eating, celebrations, etc...I began cutting back on the junk, including my creams with a little coffee...It is amazing what little changes can do. Another biggie: Turning down the soda machine and grabbing a cup of water from the cooler.