Overweight

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Ok guys, I have been a nurse since 2007 and since then I have gained about 50lbs.

Yes, I know I am not lying. It is very true. I used to fit in to xs scrubs. I work nights because it is convenient for my family and babysitting and my husbands schedule.

Tomorrow I start the dvd beachbody programs and hope for the best. It makes me sad that even at work people around me comment on how much weight I have gained. I can't fit into my clothes.

working nights I always find excuses to eat sweets or other bad things for weight.

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If you stay in this field as long as you have, you're bound to gain weight eating the young nurses.

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If you stay in this field as long as you have, you're bound to gain weight eating the young nurses.

Lol..... Love the wording. Good luck to OP, I need to get back to the gym as well.

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

We gain weight because we move around enough to be chronically exhausted but not in a way that promotes fitness. Missing breaks and running on empty means we grab whatever is at hand. The stress contributes to chronic cortisol production = belly fat. And if you're working nights your circadian rhythms are out of whack.

If you can find the time and muster the energy to start a fitness program more power to you. Nursing makes it an uphill battle to take care of ourselves. I'm rooting for you. Keep us posted.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I prepare a batch of healthy meals and snacks on days off. This way I have left overs and resist the temptation to eat out.

A few ideas:

Greek yogurt

Hard boiled eggs

Mixed vegetables (frozen or make your own)

Chicken breast

Tuna (easy, just open the can)

Chick peas and salsa

Berries

Almonds

Sweet potatoes (baked with rosemary, olive oil, garlic)

Apples

Avocado

Salmon

Drink at least 6 glasses of water per day. 8 is ideal, not everyone wants to drink that much water.

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Good luck! Good for you for making the choice to get healthier.

I actually started losing weight once I started working on my feet on the floor. The other day someone commented (I was walking fast down the hall) that I looked like I had to pee lol. BUT with my new schedule, I'm off 8 days in a row every other week. So I have to start fitting in exercise during that time so I don't just gain back what I've lost. Plus I want to condition my heart, so I need more high impact exercise. I have a great mixed martial arts program that my brother bought for me. As a side job, he's a fitness coach for one of those DVD and nutrition program things similar to Beach body. It's intense. I also have a nice work out room in our apartment complex :-)

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I feel your pain. I have slowly gained a lot of weight as well. Working nights + my age and decreasing metabolism has made it difficult. My biggest challenge? I crave the carbs and fat desperately and when I'm already exhausted it's just easier to order out than cook a healthy meal. I know, I know, I'm making excuses and I know what I need to do. Just wanted you to know you are not alone!

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I am just careful what I eat at night, and so far it's been working. On the nights I work, I eat a meal when I wake up, then for "lunch" I just eat a cliff bar and drink some coffee. After that, I don't eat anything until the next morning when I'm on my way home. I eat just a protein bar then. But that's it. I don't snack, I don't eat any big meals at night, because my body simply doesn't need it that late at night.

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The key is planning and preparing ahead of time. I've actually lost weight since going back to working nights.

On the days (nights) that I work, I have either some yogurt with granola, fruit with cottage cheese (and sometimes a hard-boiled egg or two if I'm starving), or english muffin, egg white, and cheese breakfast sandwich for my first meal of the day. I always bring a big-a$$ salad for dinner (which I eat mid-shift) and I bring a single piece of chocolate with me just in case I need a fix, lol. I don't touch the goodies hanging around the unit - don't trust myself to stop if I get started "grazing." I don't eat when I get home - I just go to bed.

On my nights off (I stay on a night schedule all the time), I cook a healthy dinner for my husband and myself (no, I don't EVER feel like cooking, but I do it just the same). I sometimes skip a "breakfast" type meal and eat with him at a normal dinner time. Then I have another big-a$$ salad in the middle of the night.

I keep fruit, trail-mix (that I make myself), and other healthy options around the house for when I just need a snack or a little something extra.

One night on the weekend, I eat whatever the heck I want for dinner. If I was craving pizza during the week (or fried chicken, or a burger, or whatever...), I just wait until the weekend and I eat it then.

Also, take NOADLS advice and lay off eating the young nurses. They're loaded with calories ;)

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Good luck to you! I've yo-yo'ed between 135lbs and 180 lbs since I've become a nurse 9+ years ago. Twice in that time I was able to lose 40 lbs in 6 six month period. The first time was from simple diet and exercise. The second time was due to Topamax, which I was taking for severe sciatica.

Definitely the diet and exercise resulted in more sustained weight loss, and I sure felt a lot better about my body as a result. Even ran some 5 and 10ks.

Good luck to you! Maybe we should form a workout/weight loss group. :)

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Good luck. It can be tough. I am down 22 lbs since February and its really hard. I pack tons of fruit and veggies to take to work and hit the gym on my days/nights off.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Yes, but uhhhh NOADLS, But they are bony without much actual meat.

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