I'm pretty new here, though I posted a few times about a year ago when I
started considering a mid-life career move. I love these boards! Rather than overwhelm:uhoh3: I think I'll try to keep my posts to one or two topics each; I've got a lot of questions!
This one concerns being physically in good shape: for nursing school and beyond. I'm also very curious about what kinds of vitamins, supplements, and food you all eat and which give you the most stamina and build/protect your immunity.
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.
The weight question...That's interesting. I was reading this thread and realized that there is a very small number of people I work with that are not overweight. We need to be better to ourselves. How hypocritical do we seem when we encourage people to lose weight and we should be saying the same things to ourselves. I look at my own eating habits, and no wonder I'm so freaking tired all the time. Chocolate and Diet Coke is not a well balanced diet.
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
truthfully, I am one of those fairly lucky people and can be lenient in what I eat...however, I am sure once that metabolism stops in a few years I will have to work harder. My goal for myself is balance. I try to eat a balanced diet, fruits, veggies, and drink lots of water (but I do let myself have that cup of coffee as work starts). I try to work out on my days off, usually 3-5 times a week. As others have mentioned, will probably build up an immunity if you work in a hospital environment.
I think that keeping a decent stamina level (being able to walk a couple of miles at mininum) and trying to keep your "core" muscles strong (back, abs) will help you alot in your nursing career. Keep in mind that back injuries are a huge issue in this field and you want to start toning up this area as early as you can. Of course, learn how to ask for help early with transfers/lifts and learn (and use!) good body mechanics. You will find nurses of all sizes, shapes, colors, etc....each person has what works (or at least knows what dosen't work) for them.
How hypocritical do we seem when we encourage people to lose weight and we should be saying the same things to ourselves.
Loving, do you think fat nurses are not aware of this? We have been "reminded" of it time and again. Maybe it is that there is more to it than "just losing the weight."
Some people (like me) are just fat, regardless of how they eat. I, unfortunately, take after my paternal grandmother. She was a short fat woman yet was active and energetic until she died in her sleep at 78 yrs. old. It was just her build. Short and portly. It didn't mean she was not healthy.
Of course, there are limits that should be recognized but this country places way too much emphasis on BMI and how supposedly healthy thin people are and to hear the "experts" the only people who end up unhealthy and in the nursing homes and a drain on the health care system are obese people.
I have worked in nursing homes and I'd like to know how their statistics can show this, when most all the people I have ever taken care of in the nursing home have not been morbidly obese but either very thin to medium sized to slightly overweight with the same health problems they blame on the obese people. I am 29 yrs. old and my blood pressure has been consistently around 120/70 as long as I can remember. I'm also active and I eat better than a lot of thin people. No, my portly body does not look attractive, I look like a wad of chewed up bubble gum in a bathing suit, but I think the real issue is that "healthy" is going to coincide with what this society's standards of what attractiveness is. That is the real issue here.
I am in my first semester of nursing school and I decided 6 months ago that I needed to make some lifestyle changes if I wanted to make it through nursing school and enjoy a nursing career both physically and psychologically. My weight and my stress level has been out of control for several years now and I had to do something to reverse the situation.
I have been dedicated to a workout schedule ever since and have really taken better care with what I eat. I emphasize the working out though, because sometimes you will have a hamburger or eat some chocolate...it is ridiculous to think I won't...but if I workout...I not only keep the weight down but I keep my bones and muscles strong and my stress level under control.
As far as the fat and thin are concerned I don't care what I weigh as long as I am healthy and feel well. I could do great in school and be just as good a nurse at the weight I was 6 months ago...but I do know that I would not enjoy it the way I am now because I feel great.
There are alot of people out there that struggle with genetics more than others when it comes to weight including myself. I don't believe the thin are healther than me...especially when I can out jog them at the gym :chuckle , but I also don't believe that nurses that lose their breath walking briskly down the hallway are feeling their best either.
i'm a VN student and yesterday was our first day at a local community hospital, i got sent to work in the ER and it was only for 6 hours, today I'll go for 8, but my back is sore and my legs hurt and i honestly feel like i have a hang over ... i think i'm not drinking enough water. but yesterday we were so busy, i had really, no time, it takes a special kinda nurse to be in the ER, ha. As soon as i find some time, i will most likely start go to the gym, i was going before school, but now, i have no time. I'm going to try and fit it in though, i need to. :)
Specializes in LTC, home health, critical care, pulmonary nursing.
Loving, do you think fat nurses are not aware of this? We have been "reminded" of it time and again. Maybe it is that there is more to it than "just losing the weight."
Some people (like me) are just fat, regardless of how they eat. I, unfortunately, take after my paternal grandmother. She was a short fat woman yet was active and energetic until she died in her sleep at 78 yrs. old. It was just her build. Short and portly. It didn't mean she was not healthy.
Of course, there are limits that should be recognized but this country places way too much emphasis on BMI and how supposedly healthy thin people are and to hear the "experts" the only people who end up unhealthy and in the nursing homes and a drain on the health care system are obese people.
I have worked in nursing homes and I'd like to know how their statistics can show this, when most all the people I have ever taken care of in the nursing home have not been morbidly obese but either very thin to medium sized to slightly overweight with the same health problems they blame on the obese people. I am 29 yrs. old and my blood pressure has been consistently around 120/70 as long as I can remember. I'm also active and I eat better than a lot of thin people. No, my portly body does not look attractive, I look like a wad of chewed up bubble gum in a bathing suit, but I think the real issue is that "healthy" is going to coincide with what this society's standards of what attractiveness is. That is the real issue here.
Chill. I'm referring to myself and the health care professionals I know, who tell people to lose weight and then go to Dairy Queen. I don't know you or your eating habits, so there's no need to take it personally. I'm sorry if you are offended by my comments, it is not my intention tohurting anyone's feelings.
There were threads last year or so which I call "the infamous obesity threads" they went on and on and some were closed. One on hand those who advocated health and were perhaps a bit arrogant about it. On the other hand those who were happily obese, know the consequences and how dare you be so judgemental and preachy. Here's just one https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42499
So lovingtheunloved and RNtoLPN, we've been there and done that. I'm definately not getting involved again. LOL
Anyway to the original poster. Antioxidants!!!!! They are found in deeply colored fruits and vegetables. They will fortify you and strengthen your immune system. Eat 5 to 10 servings a day. Variety, variety,variety! Blueberries, cranberries, broccoli and spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes are excellent. Don't forget whole grains and healthy fats like nuts and fatty fish like salmon.
I'm also very fussy about making sure I get plenty of sleep.
There were threads last year or so which I call "the infamous obesity threads" they went on and on and some were closed. One on hand those who advocated health and were perhaps a bit arrogant about it. On the other hand those who were happily obese, know the consequences and how dare you be so judgemental and preachy. Here's just one https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42499
So lovingtheunloved and RNtoLPN, we've been there and done that. I'm definately not getting involved again. LOL
Anyway to the original poster. Antioxidants!!!!! They are found in deeply colored fruits and vegetables. They will fortify you and strengthen your immune system. Eat 5 to 10 servings a day. Variety, variety,variety! Blueberries, cranberries, broccoli and spinach, pumpkin, sweet potatoes are excellent. Don't forget whole grains and healthy fats like nuts and fatty fish like salmon.
I'm also very fussy about making sure I get plenty of sleep.
Why did you even have to post that thread, after reading some of that smut I was ready to kick someone's you-know-what.
What really got me was the one who said "I'm a *vegetarian* health nut."
Every strict vegetarian I have ever seen has been so full of themselves it was almost unbearable, especially the way they look down on others who are not vegetarians...like they exercise some superhuman amount of self control and are so virtuous becausethey have chosen not to eat meats.
And the one who said there is no excuse for being fat and fat people are just lazy, lazy, lazy....that comment was so ridiculous and absurd it is not even worth acknowledging in a serious light...Tweety why did you have to pull up that thread again???
What Tweety said. Also try to get some exercise--several times a week. I really agree that the stress we all deal with on the job contributes to poor nutritional choices. It's so much easier to grab a bag of chips and a soft drink (especially when it's conveniently available in a machine) than it is to plan, prepare and carry a sack lunch.
The food in our hospital cafeteria tends to be quite fatty. The cook took a "healthy heart" recipe and revised it to make it taste better--thereby adding both saturated and trans fats!
Kaelie
45 Posts
I totally agree with you!
Also, a little exercise 3-4x per week wouldn't hurt either. :)