Please Help: Weight Gain in Nursing School

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After reading some of the threads here (which I probably should have done before I decided to become a nurse), I am seeing a lot of people saying that they experienced weight gain in nursing school. As someone who has dealt with a whole host of eating disorders and body image issues, I find this absolutely terrifying. I am really quite on the verge of panicking.

Right now, I eat well and work out for half an hour every day. Is it feasible for me to continue this pattern while in nursing school? Does everyone gain weight? Why is this? Is there anything I can do to avoid it?

Any help would be much appreciated!

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

I've actually lost weight since starting nursing school. The weight loss has been intentional on my part, because I started out overweight, and there is nothing like pathophysiology class to make you want to get and stay as physically healthy as possible. I've done this by minding my portion sizes and incorporating regular exercise into my routine. Meal planning has helped quite a bit. I keep easy and healthy breakfasts on hand, pack my own lunches most days, and cook up dinners in advance (weekends or weeknights when I have more time) so I don't have to worry about cooking after my long days.

I don't think working out half of everyday would be possible, but regular exercise paired with a sensible diet is possible and I think if you make self-care a priority it is very possible to maintain or even improve one's current health while in nursing school.

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Thank you so much, verene!

You've made me feel a whole lot better! :)

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Specializes in NICU, RNC.

If you make it a priority, working out and eating healthy is possible. It was a.priority for me.prior to nursing school and I even continued for the first semester, but after that I was so mentally, physically, and emotionally drained 24/7 that it just dropped off my priority list. I also have 3 kids which was definitely a contributing factor.

There were several people in my class who maintained their weight and exercise program during the full 2 years. None of them had a job or kids. The rest of us were all a lot fuller figured. But at the end of the day, it was a choice.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

I lost weight when I began clinical classes.... Patient care is very physical & there's no time for snacking.

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I worked out most days and trained for multiple full marathons, running 40+ miles a week in nursing school (BSN). I actually found it easier to workout/eat right in nursing school than I did when I started working 12 hour nights. You will be fine. Like most things in life... you make time for what is most important.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I've maintained at around 120 pounds since I started school last fall! If I feel hungry but am also stressed out/have eaten as I should that day, I just drink some water and see if that makes the hunger go away - 9 times out of 10 it does. I think people gain weight because they get disorganized and start snacking a lot/eating at weird times/drinking their calories through soda and energy drinks. I avoid that by refusing to drink anything that's not water or unsweetened tea. I don't work out, I see my job as enough of a workout as it is and I'm just not motivated enough to go to the gym anyway :roflmao:

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