Getting in shape for the older dude

agldragonRN · Oct 25, 2011

maybe you can purchase px90? i don't have one but i always see it in the infomercials.

you should do it now before nursing school starts because once you start nursing classes, you'll be studying 24 hours non-stop.

i know i did not really answer your questions but just wanna wish you good luck with nursing school and working out.

BeachsideNic · Oct 26, 2011

I'm 42 and I will be starting my BSN program in January, and I was also concerned about getting in shape for the hard work ahead... The best thing I ever did for myself was to sign up for a weightlifting class at the community college where I have been taking my pre-requisites. It meets 3 days a week for 50 minutes each and since it's a class with a grade, I'm pretty much forced to go, because I don't want to ruin my awesome GPA. I was also not looking to get huge or anything, but just wanted to increase my endurance and general health and lose a few pounds in the gut just to feel healthier.

Three months later, and I feel amazing and ready to take on the world... I also adjusted my diet after taking a Nutrition class and I am now eating more fiber, fruits and vegetables, and completely eliminated soda and caffeine. I love the food and I'm saving a ton of money, because I'm cooking at home with my fiancee and enjoying the feeling of good wholesome healthy food.

As far as my workouts, I always start with about 10 minutes of cardio (either on the eliptical or the stationary bike. Then I work different muscle groups alternating days to give each muscle area a chance to heal and build. Lower body one day, chest, shoulders and biceps one day, and then back and triceps and glutes the next day. It was a little rough at first, but now, I look forward to it and definitely have much more energy and have a general happy feeling all the time. I take a simple One-a-Day multi-vitamin, but am not really interested in supplements or anything like that.

Hope this helps... I've lost 20 pounds where I wanted to and feel stronger and healthier and happier!

emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 31, 2011

Stihl Farmboss 290/291 with 18" chain and a stand of trees. Drop 'em, buck 'em and stack 'em. That'll do it.

zzrider · Nov 4, 2011

I too came from a prior cubicle-bound life, and will be starting nursing school next fall at the age of 46. Working full time for the past year as an EMT has helped correct the atrophy of my past 20 years. :cool:

Start eating better. Figure out what your BMI is supposed to be and get there. Join a gym and do a mixture of cardio/lifting/pilates/yoga. Learn proper lifting technique and take care of your back.

EMT-newbie · Nov 4, 2011

Hi zzrider, it sounds like we're on a similar trajectory but you're ahead on the curve =)

Just to catch up, this week I started regular and long walks with some work on arms + chest + torso. I'm sore :lol2: Fortunately I never got into soda and a lot of junk food, never had a sweet tooth, so the eating part is easier - I do have a bad habit of not drinking enough water, I'm trying to get over that.

Since I spend a lot of time at the computer here at home I'm going to raise the desk and turn it into a standing station, which will make for a few more hours a day on my feet.

Sounds like EMT is treating you well! A friend recommended EMT while waiting on school and maybe part time during, since I like pressure and eventually think I'll end up at ER or ICU or something similar.

Thanks for all the advice and success stories, guys.

zzrider · Nov 4, 2011

Sounds like EMT is treating you well! A friend recommended EMT while waiting on school and maybe part time during, since I like pressure and eventually think I'll end up at ER or ICU or something similar

Indeed, I am so happy I chose to go the EMT route as an entry point to health care. I love working on an ambulance. I'm just doing typical private EMS BLS ambulance transport type stuff, but that's fine with me. The pay is absurd; you'd make more as a waiter, but that wouldn't help you get a job as a nurse later. Being an EMT also got me in as a Tech in a local hospital ER, which I love even more. I'd sell my soul for a job as an E.R Nurse. The EMT experience and training is already helping me tremendously in my pre-nursing prereqs, and even more importantly, it is gaining me contacts and exposure in hospital settings which I hope will help me land my first RN job (I won't lie - I'm very anxious about that).

The other good thing about EMT work is flexibility of work schedule, which makes it easier to accomodate work and school at the same time. For my full-time ambulance job, I work 24 and 16 hours shifts, which gets me 40 hours/week in just two days. And my ER job is per deim, so I pick up whatever I can accommodate there.

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Nov 14, 2011

Indeed, I am so happy I chose to go the EMT route as an entry point to health care. I love working on an ambulance. I'm just doing typical private EMS BLS ambulance transport type stuff, but that's fine with me. The pay is absurd; you'd make more as a waiter, but that wouldn't help you get a job as a nurse later. Being an EMT also got me in as a Tech in a local hospital ER, which I love even more. I'd sell my soul for a job as an E.R Nurse. The EMT experience and training is already helping me tremendously in my pre-nursing prereqs, and even more importantly, it is gaining me contacts and exposure in hospital settings which I hope will help me land my first RN job (I won't lie - I'm very anxious about that).
The other good thing about EMT work is flexibility of work schedule, which makes it easier to accomodate work and school at the same time. For my full-time ambulance job, I work 24 and 16 hours shifts, which gets me 40 hours/week in just two days. And my ER job is per deim, so I pick up whatever I can accommodate there.

I agree that there are a number of benefits in using EMT as a route into nursing. You'll appreciate the patient care aspect of being an EMT your first day of nursing clinicals. As to EMT being a help in finding a nursing job once you're an RN, maybe not so much . . .

Creighton Univer in Nebraska has an accelerated program (I think it's 2 weeks) for RN's wanting to become EMT-P's that may be worthwhile as route to an ED nursing job. It's a bit pricey though.

krnxguhj33 · Nov 14, 2011

Well, to get into shape, I used Stronglifts 5x5. I went from 230 lbs to 175 of muscle. I have found a lot of success with it and it got me into the best shape of my life. Now that I started the nursing program, I haven't had time to keep up with it though.. D: