Getting in shape before nursing shool?

As soon as you realise you're overweight and are prepared to commit to the effort required to lose it is a good time, regardless of nursing school. You certainly don't usually improve in health during nursing school - too busy to eat properly or exercise!

I am not sure if this is a dumb question but I have to know. I am a little overweight and was thinking about getting on a diet and trying to lose the extra weight. I have not always been this size I was always on the small size before I got married. I can kind of tell the diffence in the way I feel with carrying the extra weight. Is it a good idea to lose the weight in get in shape before nursing school?

I would start with exercise before I'd make too many dietary changes. try to find a routine that you enjoy and can stick to in the long run. most importantly find a routine that you can incorporate into your busy schedule. Walking and stationary bike are a good way to get started and burn extra calories. Try to do some resistance training 3X a week to help you maintain muscle. I have a very simple workout for days that I am busy and another, more intense, for days where I have more time.! Most importantly, Eat healthy foods, don't restrict your calories too drastic because you need strength for school and everything else.

I hope you will enjoy the positive loop that you are setting yourself up for.

Remember that Rome wasn't built in one day.....make gradual changes that way it will be for a lifetime and won't feel so much like another chore. Good luck

It might be a good idea to lose some weight because you will have added energy for nursing school clinical rotations. You can also exercise several times weekly during nursing school since it will increase the blood flow to the brain and help you do well on your tests. Make exercise a lifelong habit.

I actually gained 40 pounds during school due to eating high-fat, fast food lunches with my classmates every single day.

...bloodflow to the brain, it is true though, I function better in school with exercise

A couple of not too tough dietary suggestions that helped me lose weight over the last year: get up in the morning and eat breakfast. Not bacon and eggs - unless it's a test day, then that actually is waht I eat - but a bowl of cereal with maybe a banana cut up in it or some blueberries sprinkled on top. I try to have fruit in the morning cuz I know I don't eat enough. Those smoothie drinks you can get at the grocery now are good if you're super rushed. Much better than stopping through the drive through, and skipping breakfast entirely just makes me snack. I don't know what your usual lunch plans are either, but if you have access to a fridge and microwave, start making too much food whenever your dinner is something that reheats well. Package it up that night into those little cheap ---ware boxes, and grab one every morning. Most of us eat healthier when we cook ourselves. It saves you money too, and we'll all need those skills in NS. Just a couple of ideas that aren't too much work and don't feel like a horrific sacrifice. Good luck!

I have 2-3 years before I can apply to nursing school due to kids being home yet. Once they are in school full time I can go to nursing school full time while they are away.

In this 2-3 years, I've vowed to start walking on the treadmill and outside and strength training. This will help the blood flow and get in shape for clinicals and for taking tests. Plus, exercise is a good way to relieve stress and from what I hear, nursing school is stressful.

I think you are thinking smart to think ahead. This first semester I've already put on about 12 or so lbs, just because of stress and lack of planning. When you are SOooo focused on the material (LOTS of material), family responsiblities and day to day living, food is usually the biggest shortcut factor. I started eating out more, grabbing high calorie snacks to curb hunger, blah blah on and on.......instead of making a plan for healthy meals ahead of time. NOw I'm paying the price of that.

If you can prepare yourself beforehand I think you will much better off.

Good luck and smart thinking!!

Losing weight is never a bad idea. I think you should go for it!!!

I hope you lose the desire amount of pounds. Good luck to you!

I am not sure if this is a dumb question but I have to know. I am a little overweight and was thinking about getting on a diet and trying to lose the extra weight. I have not always been this size I was always on the small size before I got married. I can kind of tell the diffence in the way I feel with carrying the extra weight. Is it a good idea to lose the weight in get in shape before nursing school?

I think it is a good idea to get in shape before nursing school. But losing weight and getting in shape are not the same thing. I do not agree with a crash diet, where you drop too much weight in a short amount of time because it is not the healthy thing to do and you will not be in shape. Besides you will gain it all back and more. Getting in shape consists of weight loss that came about because you eat a balanced diet and you exercise. I know this takes time but there are studies that show that people who do it the right way manage to get in shape, stay in shape, and keep the weight off for 2 or more years compared to the crash/yo-yo dieters.

I started losing weight and getting in shape this past January in preparation for nursing school. I too have not been overweight before marriage and kids. I managed to drop 35 pounds the healthy way. When I had my physical this past Spring, my doctor was shocked that I was overweight and had the BEST resting heart rate she had heard in a long time. Today I am no longer overweight and I am in better condition to handle long physical hours of stress on my body then when I had 35 more pounds to carry and an out-of-shape body. :monkeydance:

I think you are thinking smart to think ahead. This first semester I've already put on about 12 or so lbs, just because of stress and lack of planning. When you are SOooo focused on the material (LOTS of material), family responsiblities and day to day living, food is usually the biggest shortcut factor. I started eating out more, grabbing high calorie snacks to curb hunger, blah blah on and on.......instead of making a plan for healthy meals ahead of time. NOw I'm paying the price of that.

If you can prepare yourself beforehand I think you will much better off.

Good luck and smart thinking!!

I was going to say something along this line too also while studing you are just sitting there I know my self I have suffered because of this, and I don't get out an exercise as much because I am afraid I should be studying. Also my classes run at wierd times like Fri/sat 9am till 2pm we don't have lunch breaks you get 5 min break here and there so by the time I am home by about 4 (I usually stay late) then I am starving and I binge eat. I try to bring healthy snacks but sometimes on top of getting kids ready doing my work and getting out the door I just don't manage.

SO yes to OP question try and get in shape now it will only get harder as time goes on.

I am right there with you! I am applying in the Spring.. but since I will not have any classes, I am taking this time to shape up! I know I will need the energy come clinicals! I gained 15 lbs during my pre-reqs.. I can't do the same for clinicals.

I am right there with you! I am applying in the Spring.. but since I will not have any classes, I am taking this time to shape up! I know I will need the energy come clinicals! I gained 15 lbs during my pre-reqs.. I can't do the same for clinicals.

This is an interesting thread!

I have gained a lot of weight as a teacher. Stressful, long hours, all the same old excuses....but I am in the process of lining up LPN school for August 2007. I know in my heart that I have got to use the "down time" between now and then to get into better physical shape (if you can call teaching full time as down time... lol).

Specifically, more fruits, vegetables and exercise.... less sugar and alcohol (although that last one might be tough during the holidays!).