Mario mourns semi-death of his own life

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 25, 2003

Hey Mario...........don't give up on your exercise program just yet, it's obvious that it gives you great pleasure and a sense of mastery of your body. I'm a confirmed sofa spud in my middle age, but I remember how it was to be fit (way back in the day) and how my body cried out for exercise if I didn't work out for a couple of days. You'll need to find a way to fit it in; is there some kind of exercise class you can take in between your RN courses? (I took a walking class in the middle of my 2nd year, which was great for relieving the stress of the nursing program. I also worked a 24-hour weekend as a hospital CNA, AND was raising four kids, plus maintaining a 3.4 GPA.........and there's no way I could've done it all if I hadn't been in decent physical shape.)

See if there's some way you can keep exercise in your schedule.....I'd hate to see you become depressed and lethargic, and nursing school is hard enough without giving up EVERYTHING you enjoy.

Please keep in touch with us, Mario...you've been sounding kind of down in the dumps recently, and none of us wants to see you get so overwhelmed that you give up on the things that are important to you. Nursing school does make it hard to have a life, but just remember, this too shall pass.

melissa24 · Jan 25, 2003

Mario...

How many hours a week do you spend working out? I know you are busy, but I think you could fit a workout in if you try. Don't give up just yet. Working out makes you feel great and increases your energy...what nursing student wouldn't benefit from that?

baseline · Jan 25, 2003

Mario.............. nevermind.

But don't give up your work outs.

thatldo · Jan 25, 2003

Mario,

Don't think in terms that just because you're not in the gym doing an "exercise program" that you're not getting excercise.

Don't you consider some of your duties as a CNA excercise? Lifting, moving, assisting patients?? Concetrate on those muscles as you're moving them. Walking stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away, carry your books in front of the body instead of backpack hugged closed to your chest are all excersize! Squeeze the buns as your'e walking, wear ankle weights at home and most importantly remember to stretch throughout the day. This all helps, and will maintain muscle tone.

I ride my husbands rehabilitation bike that sits on the floor for my legs while I study. I do leg lifts while washing dishes and folding clothes. 15 minutes in the morning yes just 15 minutes strength training in the morning have helped me remain physically strong.

I'd love to have the luxury of having enough time also to take an hour long power walk or go to the gym for my scheduled workout, but I can relate with you about the time situation, but this has helped me tremoundously!!

Working out throughout the day, helps me mentally, maybe these ideas can help you?

:)

Sherri

ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2003

what about taping lectures, taping yourself reading notes, and listening to the tapes on a walkman while exercising???

Agnus · Jan 25, 2003

Mario, learn to fit it in. Good suggestions from above posts. I made a point of fitting in a fitness class every semester.

One semester it was golf, one was weight training,

one tap dance, one it was fencing. Find things you like or in my case always wanted to try. Be sure it is something fun. Completely non nursing related. You need not only a physical but a mental break exercise or sports will give you both.

I found every waking moment was spent on nursing. Even as I ate I way working on something. When I took one of these PE classes I made it a rule to only think about that class. No nursing allowed. I stuck with it and found the break served my spirit mind and body.

It might feel like you have no time for this. You may not have as much time as you did pre nursing school, but if you don't take some time for it and some time completely away from thoughts of school you will suffer dearly. Two lumber jacks were sawing a tree. Back an forth back and forth. They had cut a hundred trees that day and the blade was becomming dull and was now harder to cut with and each subsequent tree took longer to fell.

One of thier wives came out to deliver a message. She saw them working very hard and realized the blade was dull. She said, "you need to sharpen your blade" They responed with, "we don't have time. We have a hundred more to cut before night fall." They worked though the night cutting the 100 trees. Yet the first hundred they cut with a sharp blade was accomplished in 5 hours. The last 100 took 18 hours, and many more strokes.

You need to sharpen your blade. You do not have time that you would waste with a dull blade. Better to take a short period to sharpen your blad than to work harder and longer to accomplish what you could do easier and in less time with a sharp blade.

Mkue · Jan 25, 2003

I agree with the others Mario, do something fun, you will be gaining so much in the end.

micro, RN · Jan 25, 2003

ditto my friend........

welcome to the hell of nursing school.......

mourning the changes that life brings us.....

but you are fit.......

and do what gives you peace, fun and health.....

a least a bit a day.....

ya' just may have to drive on the freeway.....

but there are always other ways......

be well, and nursing school will pass

with you doing well and breezing through the boards........

for this weekend.....

hit a hill.....but only if you wanna

good english micro xoxoxoxoxx

hapeewendy · Jan 25, 2003

dont deny yourself of something that makes you happy or gives you pleasure

whatever it is find time to work it into your schedule, easier said than done , I know , cuz I've been there, still am there right now actually , with working full time doing my degree it seems like free time is a myth that I hear ppl speak of with great joy and fondness in their voices......

what I used to do was right after class I would go swimming or for a walk or shopping or whatever it was I wanted to do , for about an hour,although its not a long time, it was quality time...and then go home have dinner hit the books or go to my then part time job and work the evening shift..

you may not get to do what makes you happy as often as you would like , but for your own sanity and peace of mind, try to work it into your crazy hectic busy schedule somewhere...

you'll feel better for it, I know I did!

:)

this is just a temporary inconvenience, when you graduate nursing school it will all be worth it

success and happy thoughts headed your way!!!!!

mario_ragucci · Jan 25, 2003

Thank you all very much for helping me. I used to scoff at the saying you spend 3 hours for everyone hour in lecture. It's true. Quizes, reports due, projects...on and on. Life is kinda dead when I get 150) (hour), for me. Then a little resistance training as tol. Oh - trying to fit in the 1-3 hours a day, 4-5 times a week I used to do, plus the cooking and grocery shopping to fed yourself good/ freh food. The nursing instructors will eat you up if you are late. Then I sound like a am complaining and feel guilty. Nursing school can create a self-induced battlefield within you. Ultimately, having a certain fitness level is a luxuary for me I have to sacrifice for learning. Really I won't die, and I still work out once a week, barely. But better to mourn now and get it over with and to start smiling more. It's so nice to express myself to people who are there, in cyber. I hope what I am saying doesn't bother anyone. Nursing students have no rest and no peace or sleep either :-(

melissa24 · Jan 25, 2003

Originally posted by mario_ragucci
But better to mourn now and get it over with and to start smiling more.

Okay...as long as you start smiling more... You have really sounded down lately.

No, you probably won't be able to maintain the level you truly want to be at while in nursing school. But stay as active as you possibly can. Take every day one day at a time and the end will be here before you know it. :) :) :)