How to NOT gain weight in Nursing School??

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Hi All~

I was wondering if anyone has any tips for new to nursing school students on how to not gain weight in nursing school? We were told at orientation that we should expect to gain weight. I am already struggling with keeping the numbers on the scale in an acceptable range. I know life will be crazy but I really don't want to gain another 20 lbs.

:) Thanks

The problem is spending so much time sitting with a book in your lap. Take a walk to THINK about what you just read and drink lots of water.

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I'm very concerned about this as well. I lost about 25lbs last summer before starting my pre-reqs but then gained 20 of them back during the school year. This summer I've joined Weight Watchers and I've already lost 10 lbs. I want to continue my losses and be a healthy, fit nurse. I can't help but be nervous, or even a little scared that despite all my great intentions nursing school will encourage me to gain it all back. I think I'm going to plan out some snacks and meals that I can pack this summer and make sure I've been shopping for groceries and portable containers before the semester begins, as a start. Everyone's suggestions have been on the nose, and exactly what I've been doing it's just that it is harder to actually do them when you are constantly busy, and stressed. I tend to come to Allnurses as a stress coping mechanism, hmm...maybe I should just start making myself walk or do leglifts or something whenever I log on here :idea:

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Specializes in Trauma, Surgical, Burn.
Its not for everyone, but I am going to bike to school every non-rainy day.

Biking to school everyday is a good way to get in a workout for the week. I planning to do this as well with my school being a mile away. Like any dietician would say, just stay away from junk food, fatty food, sweets, and sodas. Snack on things like fruits, veggies, yogurt, granola bars, etc. I think the number one thing is bring your own lunch because your in control in what is being put in.

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Specializes in Float Nurse.

I just started NS in May and idk it has motivated me to lose weight! since all my prof. are so proactive on the whole exercise and Healthy people 2020.. i even had to write a paper on it! My prof. for health promotion keeps saying as a nurse our main priority is to educate our patient. The it kinda hit me! i dont want to be that chubby nurse educating my patient on exercise and healthy eating when look at me! i don't really look like i take care of myself either.

i played tennis my whole high school career.. then i went to college for my 1st bachelors degree in biology and working out went downhill FAST .... mostly cause im a stress eater. But in NS ( im in a acc. BSN program ) now i count my calories.. and when im stressed i engulf fruits not Twinkies (LOL) ... i also try to go to the gym 3 x a week... so im actually seeing the pounds go off instead of on .. so hopefully i can keep this up ! and by the time i graduate ill be a new me!

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Here's my idea why a nursing student may be more prone to gaining weight..

A-lot of sit time; referring to classes, studying, and of course resting!

Snacking....some people have a tendency to snack while under stress, and usually on high calorie snacks that taste really yummy!

Barely enough time for exercise, including activities out door.

The best advice I can give to you is try to make sure your planning ahead with healthy meals, and yes you can find healthy items at fast food restaurants such as; salads, low calorie items, chicken sandwiches without the mayo, etc. If you don't have time for some sort of cardio exercise, or just plain don't like it; try to at least fit in regular weight workouts. They don't have to be heavy. You can buy 5 or 10 lb dumb-bells almost anywhere. Along with the weights include working your core muscles (abs). When you maintain a-little muscle mass on your body you will naturally burn more calories! Lifting a little weight always gets the blood moving and you'll feel good because of that. If you can add in a jog or fast paced walk for cardio, that'll be even better! I've read studies showing that adding a few good cardio sweat sessions into to your weekly routine, can actually helps the brain improve its thinking skills!

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You will gain weight regardless if you're in nursing school or if you're out of school. Why? Calories in calories burned. Teach yourself now what you will later teach your patients. We are a society obsessed with weight. Develop a life style that is healthy and the weight will take care of itself. I could never understand obese nursing instructors and also those who smoked.

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