New Year Diet Questions

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I guess the question is....how many calories do you think a floor nurse burns in a typical day shift and a typical nightshift? I have no idea, but I know I'm tired as all get out when I'm done with a shift.

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I honestly don't think we burn all that much. Yes, we are busy and constantly moving, but it's not like we are doing hard labor. I did wear a podometer at work for a while which clocked in something like 7 miles in 12 hours at work, but the work we do does not keep our heart rate continuously elevated to count as cardio workout. Unfortunately, we still have to find time and energy to exercise outside of work.

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I think you would be shocked at how many calories you burn in your shift... although, I'm not sure what your body burns just to "keep itself running," and how many more you burn in your shift, compared to what you would on a normal day.

I used to be a waitress, and on busy days would wear my heart rate monitor to work. I wouldn't start it until we started to get busy, and a lot of times, when we were insanely busy, my heart rate would be way up there... although, I'm not sure if this was from all the running around, stress, or both... lol. Anyway, After a few hours I would turn it off and would be shocked to see that I had burned about 800 calories! :eek:

You could always try a pedometer, like the previous poster had mentioned. I wouldn't recommend wearing the heart rate monitor, as it was always beeping at me... lol, when I would get a chance to break, or take a breather. Also, I agree with the above poster, as I don't think it could be counted as a cardio workout, unfortunately. :down:

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It depends on your weight and what all you're doing in a shift. I bought a bodybugg and will wear it to work next week, so I'll let ya know. =)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Yes, you do burn a lot of calories at work, when you first start that job. The problem is your body adapts to your normal activities so you can not lose weight from these activities.

Best thing to do is an overall diet change. Not a fad diet. But just in general eat the same foods you do but less of them. Remember what you were taught in nutrition.

Also, try exercising. It is hard to work it in to a busy schedule but not impossible. Even 10 minutes is extremely helpful.

If you do these 2 things you will eliminate many calories from your diet and feel better.

Sounds like fun right?!:jester:

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I have one of those wrist watch things that has a heart monitor and counts calories, on a busy night I can burn 2000, on a slow night 1200-1500.

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