Staying healthy and going to school.

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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So I've been trying to better myself both intellectually and physically. When classes start, I find it really hard to fit in a proper workout and studying makes me hungry so I snack a lot more than normal.

What do you do to stay fit when classes are in session... specifically those of you with families, jobs and other non-school responsibilities.

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Yep I hear ya. Since starting pre reqs I've gained weight. Trying now to stay on an exercise regimen that is realistic......On top of taking care of my children and everything else. Remember even just 20-30 mins several times a week can make a huge difference and is not only good for the body... but the mind too!

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One thing I hear a lot of people saying is to make your own lunch and bring it with you instead of going out to eat, or going to the schools cafeteria. It's healthier (and cheaper) to take your own food. Perhaps you could make a big meal of something like rice and beans or something in a slow cooker on Sunday, and portion it out throughout the week. And drink water instead of...well, pretty much anything else. If you get hungry while studying, go take a brief walk, hit the water fountain and take in a good deal to satisfy your hunger instead of eating something like chips or soda.

When I was in school for my first degree, my lunch typically consisted of a sandwich, a small cup of fruit, a plastic snack bag of vegetables of some kind, maybe a candy, and a water bottle.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I know exactly what you mean MyOwnBlueSky and Herrington are giving good ideas. I already take my own lunch to work and usually continue this through out the semester I plan on utilizing my schools gym on campus.

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Funny because even though this week was only the first week I realized I need to cut out those extra here and there crackers or what have you. I eat a hearty breakfast every morning, always oatmeal with fruit and heaping spoonful of peanut butter. This keeps me full until lunch at noon which I always make time for. I have school all day sometimes so have started packing a lunch. Usually mid afternoon Ill grab a healthy snack depending on how hungry I am (i.e; hummus, fruit, smoothie, protein shake). We always eat dinner usually including some kind of chicken, veggies and brown rice. Meals are so important even if its throwing a huge batch of chicken in a slow cooker the beginning of the week. If I don't make meals, I snack on junk.

As for working out, I lift four times per week and cardio for 20-30 minutes 4-5 times a week with a lot of walking added in. My mentality is I need to keep my body healthy or Ill be good for nothing plus "I don't got time for that!" ;) It's hard but so worth it both short term and moreover long term!!

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Honestly, I think you do need to snack more while studying - brain needs glucose - you use more while studying. Just choose a healthy snack option!

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Funny because even though this week was only the first week I realized I need to cut out those extra here and there crackers or what have you. I eat a hearty breakfast every morning, always oatmeal with fruit and heaping spoonful of peanut butter. This keeps me full until lunch at noon which I always make time for. I have school all day sometimes so have started packing a lunch. Usually mid afternoon Ill grab a healthy snack depending on how hungry I am (i.e; hummus, fruit, smoothie, protein shake). We always eat dinner usually including some kind of chicken, veggies and brown rice. Meals are so important even if its throwing a huge batch of chicken in a slow cooker the beginning of the week. If I don't make meals, I snack on junk.

As for working out, I lift four times per week and cardio for 20-30 minutes 4-5 times a week with a lot of walking added in. My mentality is I need to keep my body healthy or Ill be good for nothing plus "I don't got time for that!" ;) It's hard but so worth it both short term and moreover long term!!

Good for you. Way to stay healthy.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com, so please understand my typos.

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I was just talking about this with my mother today. Actually I am quite the opposite. When classes start, I tend to lose weight and eat less than normal. I just get so consumed with class work and studying all of the time that I just don't really have the time (or make time) to eat. My four year old makes fun of me and says I look like a skeleton because my cheeks become so hollow. I have got to do better this semester!

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One thing I hear a lot of people saying is to make your own lunch and bring it with you instead of going out to eat, or going to the schools cafeteria. It's healthier (and cheaper) to take your own food. Perhaps you could make a big meal of something like rice and beans or something in a slow cooker on Sunday, and portion it out throughout the week. And drink water instead of...well, pretty much anything else. If you get hungry while studying, go take a brief walk, hit the water fountain and take in a good deal to satisfy your hunger instead of eating something like chips or soda.

When I was in school for my first degree, my lunch typically consisted of a sandwich, a small cup of fruit, a plastic snack bag of vegetables of some kind, maybe a candy, and a water bottle.

Lovely suggestion. Will definitely try this this time around.

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Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Here's what I've been doing to stay healthy:

* I pack my own lunch as well as healthy snacks.

* I do my best to walk at least 30 minutes for at least five days out of the week (a lot of times it is over an hour vs. thirty minutes, but I've a minimum set).

* For breaks between chapter reading or subject activity, I try to lift weights or do core exercises.

* At school, unless I'm in a rush, I try to walk the longest route and always take stairs.

Thank you.

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I'm like sno87 also I tend to study through lunch and dinner :facepalm:

I'm hoping to develop a habit of doing a set of pushups or situps in between study sessions, especially when I feel like I'm about to sleep. I also keep rice cakes, pb, and honey nearby for a healthy snack. I tend to eat out, which definitely can pack a punch on the wallet. So I also hope to just pack a lunch or make a protein shake before school and bring it with me. Gotta develop these healthy habits before school consumes my life! :bookworm:

My school has a massage therapy and personal training program so I'm going to take advantage of those when I can! Besides that I like to climb at least once a week and/or some for, of dance that I learn off of YouTube haha.

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Specializes in N/A.

I'd be shocked if I were able to gain weight. When I'm stressed (which I already am with how A&P I is going), I tank up heavily on junk food. If my metabolism wasn't working in hyperdrive 24/7, I'd probably be a 300 lbs. man at this very moment.

The only problem I have to worry about is keeping myself from getting some kind of illness during the semester that makes it where I have to stay at home. I'm just making sure I wash my hands after classes, avoid anyone that seems like they're sick, and just really keeping up with my hygiene (with the exception of the junk food I'm plowing through).

I bring my own lunch to school, though. Which is usually pretty healthy since I can't JUST eat junk food. I also park super-far-away from my college (because I just can't park between other cars that are closer to the front), so I always get a looooong distance to walk to and from college. That's about the extent of my exercising.

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