Older, heavy, first year nursing student needs advise

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2013

Good day, Michelle:

I just turned 50; and I'm starting the summer term in July. The last time I was in school was in 1984.

Since January 2012, I've lost 55 pounds (I'm not sure if I'm still considered obese, but I was obese if I'm not now). I completely changed my life style of when, what, how much, and how I eat along with adding exercise. I used to be a desk jockey; so adding the exercise was a big change as well. There was no fad dieting; just consistent working on a change of life style. So the pounds came off very slowly, but they are staying off.

You can do the school; and, if you want to, can work on your health (being obese impacts one's health).

Thank you.

jddm163 · Jun 3, 2013

Good luck to you.... I hate to say it but I do know that people discriminate age and body wt along with gender and race are the targets for some reason... I think you can do it... Yet I do think its only fair to your self but future pts to work on your wt... People often times wont listen to advice for health if the advisor doesnt seem to foot the bill...

Again good luck, and dont let any thing or one stand in the way of your dreams

twins4paiges · Jun 4, 2013

I am overweight and over 40 and just graduated. MANY of us in our class got sick because of being so tired and stressed. I was one of the healthiest ones! I would advise you to start a walking program even if it's just in your neighborhood or in a mall or with a used treadmill to build your stamina and reduce stress. Eat your vegetables :sneaky: and pump up your immune system as much as you can now. I don't know what you will be facing in your school, but if YOU believe in yourself, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. If you already think that you can not make it, then school will grind you into a pulp. Use your fear to get ahead early! Find out what text books they are using in your program and buy them cheap and used off amazon and start your reading now. Don't forget your A&P because you will need it a LOT in the beginning. You can also look up a LOT of nursing lectures on you tube and listen to them.

Trenata · Jun 4, 2013

Start walking as much as you can to work yourself up to being fit for nursing school. That is what I am doing. I am overweight...I am doing what I can now to get fit!

queserasera, RN · Jun 5, 2013

I think as long as you can be on your feet for 12 hours you'll be fine.

TuesdayMorning · Jun 5, 2013

Please get healthy. I am not sure what you mean by "obese", but if you're overweight, start paying attention to your body's needs. It doesn't matter if you can stand on your feet for 12 hours. My grandfather was overweight, very active and died exactly on his birthday at the young age of 55. He ate horribly. He didn't pay attention to his body.

Congratulations on your achievement, so far. I admire those who face the scary process of going back to school.

There are always going to be the extremely insecure people who can sense fear in another person and attack it.

Walk into school with your head held high and try to drown out negative comments from those insecure people with your own positive comments to yourself.

Treat your body like the piece of art it is.

I come from a family that shuns healthcare. My father tried to cut out his own skin cancer...That pretty much says it all...

Don't focus so hard on the scale. If you begin to eat healthier and exercise (even if it is for thirty minutes a couple of times a week!) then you will undoubtedly lose weight, but that's not the complete goal to becoming healthy.

Take the steps to become healthier and you will be able to focus better in school and sleep better.

Good luck to all that you do! :)