I am a new grad working my first job on a subacute unit in a nursing home. I am extremely busy throughout the day, with anywhere from 18 to 21 patients that I need to medicate, do treatments, and any admissions or discharges. I literally do not sit down until I do my notes at the end of my shift. Some days all I eat from the time I wake up until the time I go home is an ice coffee with milk. When I started this job I thought I'd start losing weight because I'm constantly moving. But it's just not budging. I gained a LOT of weight in nursing school and want it to start coming off. It's really hard to motivate myself to go to the gym after a long day of being on my achey feet.
So what do nurses do when they want to lose weight but are in too much pain to exercise? Do you count calories? Exercise anyway? I need some tips! I've lost weight before, but that was when I was younger and had more time on my hands. Now I'm working 12 hour shifts 5 days a week, so I treasure my down time at home. I don't feel like I'm at my healthiest though being 50 lbs overweight.
I find that getting enough sleep is necessary to maintaining my normal weight. I also bring healthy food with me and sorry if it is unprofessional but I will eat fruit, yogurt, granola bar or a small sandwich at the nurses station when it is impossible to get a break off the unit. You will also need to find a way to skip all the fattening stuff coworkers bring in. Nurses don't have to be overweight!
So what do nurses do when they want to lose weight but are in too much pain to exercise? Do you count calories? Exercise anyway? I need some tips! I've lost weight before, but that was when I was younger and had more time on my hands. Now I'm working 12 hour shifts 5 days a week, so I treasure my down time at home. I don't feel like I'm at my healthiest though being 50 lbs overweight.
i want to start with "congratulations" in your attempt to lose weight and make yourself healthier.
the u.s. has a plethora of chronic illnesses that affect a lot of other folks, as well as themselves.
mostly, there's no reason for it, and i find that extremely distressing.
it's refreshing to see folks who take their health seriously.
you've received excellent tips and advice from the posters here.
however you choose to do it, it really is a matter of increasing your metabolic rate.
mini-meals throughout the day, and finding out which foods are readily metabolized versus fat...which breaks down slowwwwly.
you sound so committed and determined.
if there's anything you need help in, i.e. internet surfing for resources/links, don't hesitate to ask.
you're taking on a difficult goal, and lots of support would be ideal.
Because it's hard to stick to, it's unrealistic and it messes with your body's metabolism. The easiest way to lose weight and maintain it is to limit portion size, avoid processed foods, choose complex carbohydrates and find an activity you enjoy. Dieting is often temporarily successful. A lifestyle change is usually much easier to maintain. I follow a high protein, moderate carb, low fat nutrition plan and have lost over 30 pounds and kept it off for almost 2 years now. I am 5' 5.25" and used to be a size 14. Now I weigh 120.5 lbs and have 21% body fat. I didn't have to do any "induction" diets or any other stuff like that. I simply started choosing good healthy foods in the right portion size. It took me almost a year to lose the weight but maintaining it is a piece of cake (uh sorry bad analogy). I splurge every now and again but because my overall plan is so good it makes no difference and I don't feel guilty.
I lost 30# and have kept it off for 2 years now. Not to mention my cholesterol is down 110 points, any my blood pressure is down 30 points sys and dias.
Its funny I'm in a similar setting, sub acute setting but I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm so busy and tired from working when I do my calorie counts I apparently only eat 900-1000 calories a day instead of the suggested 1200.
Try meal replacement shakes like Slim-Fast for a quick meal.
I'm so busy and tired from working when I do my calorie counts I apparently only eat 900-1000 calories a day instead of the suggested 1200.
Are you more than moderately overweight? 1200 calories is really low for the average, healthy woman. It might represent the bare minimum for physiologic function for a person of average size and activity level but it's certainly not something to strive for. 900-1000 calories per day is even worse. You ought to be doing the SlimFast shakes for a SNACK not a meal.
Are you more than moderately overweight? 1200 calories is really low for the average, healthy woman. It might represent the bare minimum for physiologic function for a person of average size and activity level but it's certainly not something to strive for. 900-1000 calories per day is even worse. You ought to be doing the SlimFast shakes for a SNACK not a meal.
I'm a male with a 25 BMI which is borderline overweight.
I'm a male with a 25 BMI which is borderline overweight.
Are you kidding me?! 1200 calories is nowhere near what you should be taking in. 900-1000 is terrible. No wonder you're tired. I have a BMI of 19 and am female and at minimum I need to take in over 1200 calories just to maintain bare minimum body function. BTW, the BMI measurement is sketchy. It does not take into account musculature and body fat. If I was more fat and less muscle my BMI would actually be lower. You should consider seeing a nutritionist.
Aim for slow and steady weight loss. 1-2 pounds/week.
There are 3,500 calories in a pound. So, you'll need to cut 3,500-7,000 per week to obtain this.
Eating higher protein and lower carb is proven to be more effective in helping people maintain a lower calorie diet because you'll feel more satisfied. Don't take it to the Atkins extreme though. It's not a good idea.
I pack a lot of finger foods for work. Kind of like the types of foods you would pack for a person with bipolar in the manic phase.
Geeeeeeez No, you talk like you're some kind of dietician wanna be or somethin! Sheeeeeeesh.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
My husband and I used the LoseIt! app to help us shed thirty pounds before I got pregnant. It is really easy, and will help you track if you are eating too much or too little. Sounds like your new diet habits are straining your body, just the same if you were overeating. My mom is currently using the app as well and discovered she was actually undereating on some days as well as overeating.
Set a logical goal, around 1-2lbs per week, and be forgiving. (Some days I would hit my 1200 cal/day limit, other days I would go over.)
Zen123
113 Posts
I forgot to add forget exercise just do plenty of sex and ur gonna be hot n sexy in time hehe!!!!!!!