staying in shape as a nurse?

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

How do you guys find time to work out?
What quick things do you do to get that work out in during the day?
How do you stay away from eating that crap out of vending machines daily when your at work or even when you were in nursing school?

Finding time can be tough. I worked rotation so some weeks I'm 7a-7p and others 7p-7a and then those days of overtime make it difficult. I try to make it a point to go on my days off. I don't know if there are any quick things to do, but I do small things like taking the stairs. I have found the easiest way to stay away from vending machines is to bring my lunch and snacks from home and I also leave my money in my car.

INLPN93 · Jan 20, 2011

I still eat pretty clean, drink my protein shake and realize I do what I can to keep up with living a healthy lifestyle.

It is hard at first to work out an exercise routine, but its do-able.

I read Oxygen and Muscle & Fitness Hers for quick routines and excellent meal/snack ideas. They help alot with motivation too.

I usually take my lunch. A lean quisine meal, apple and I'm good. For 12 hours I take a snack like a can of tuna & an orange. And if that dang vending machine gets me, I get trail mix, snickers or peanut M & M's.

I make the most of my off days, I suggest you try HIIT cardio.

Its a 20 min high intesity interval cardio session, they are awesome time savers.

I follow it with a quick circut of weights, this also burns fat and builds muscle in a quick work-out.

I have kids, am back at school and work part-time. I don't work out 6 days a week anymore but I do find time in my day.

You can do it, just make a plan. :)

GHGoonette, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

I'm in shape; just don't ask what shape

Actually, I'm very well-built.... but the plasterwork's crappy...

nursie_pants · Jan 20, 2011

I run about 3-4x/week. It helps clear my head. If you sign up for a race, it can motivate you even more. :)

I know it's really hard to find time when you're in school. Right now I only work 3 twelves a week and it's much easier. If you have less time to work out, you can always keep your weight in check by monitoring what goes in (the whole calories in/calories out rule)...

Food-wise, I *always* pack a lunch. It saves me time so that I don't have to go find something in the cafeteria. Plus, it's way healthier. I'm a big fan of soups in the winter - it's cost-effective and you can make a big batch and freeze leftovers so you're not eating lentil soup twice a day for a week straight. :)

nurseandi11 · Jan 20, 2011

You will find a way. I make sure to have a memerbship to a 24hour gym so I can go at anytime, especially after work to blow off some steam haha. Also, you will be so busy you won't have to worry about snacking too much..

Hoozdo, ADN · Jan 20, 2011

Nursing school will be difficult to maintain your current weight. You will have much sitting around and studying. Just try to keep away from the junk food while studying.

I have no problem staying in shape as a nurse. Much fast walking, repositioning super morbidly obese pts Q2hr, stairs to climb multiple times a shift, and not much time to sit and chart. Up, down, up, down hundreds of times in a shift......blah, blah, blah.

I bring my lunch and don't eat out of the vending machine. I don't bring in snacking food - just my lunch. I am sure I use way more calories when working then I am taking in. Also, drink lots of WATER. Plain old water.

April, RN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2011

I recently got myself back into a good workout schedule. I work 12 hr shifts and I've completely given up on going to the gym on work days... and I finally decided that's OK. I actually enjoy going on my four days off and feel that I am able to put more into them as opposed to dragging my tired, aching self for a half-hearted workout after work. We've had 3 big snowstorms here over the last few weeks and the gym has closed a few times on my days off. I felt so tired and out of sorts not being able to get my 4 workouts in. In the past, I would have been thankful for an excuse not to go!

As far as eating at work... this is tough. I pack snacks and try to eat a little something every few hours so I'm not so hungry that I binge on junk at meal times. When I'm absolutely ravenous at lunch after not eating for 8 hours, the mac&cheese/pizza/fries sound SO much better than the salad bar. The junk food that's always at the nurses station is hard to avoid though!

TheHotPinkLady · Jan 20, 2011

i am 19 and starting nursing school soon (already did my pre reqs) and i realized its going to be hard to find time to work out or stay fit during nursing school and even after when i am a rn and actually working long hours at the hospital. now its all about school and i am trying to keep my grades as high as possiable so thats rough but after school is probably gana be even harder because after working a 8-12 hour shift at a hospital where i just want to go home relax and shower, i doubt im gana want to come home or head to a gym for over an hour.
how do you guys find time to work out?
what quick things do you do to get that work out in during the day?
how do you stay away from eating that crap out of vending machines daily when your at work or even when you were in nursing school?

well, considering that we have such a short, 3-day work week, though those three days are 12+ hours apiece, i think exercising those four off days would be much more feasible. i plan on running everyday those four days when i get my rn i don't want to force myself to work out after working a 16 hour day, i don't deserve such treatment

though, the advice above about staying away from vending machines is wise. i think starting work as an rn is kind of like when you were a new freshman in college--food is everywhere, and readily available, and the stress of a new environment makes you retreat to food. i always like to think about how i'll feel after i eat the not-so-good-for-you food, and that often helps (often being the key word, not always, heh heh)

TheCareerStudent · Jan 20, 2011

Good question OP, I was wondering the same thing. It will be hard to go during school but I will do my best.

skimpstah · Jan 20, 2011

OP, How do you stay away from vending machines? will power. I just started my 1st semester of NS, and I am eating very healthy. I have eliminated all fried foods from my diet ( I was a huge french fries, onion rings, fried mushrooms person). I have also eliminated baked goods (pies, cookies, cakes, etc.) Those were my downfall. Pre NS, I'd work out 4 to 5 times a week and eat like crap. Now that I'm in NS, its' the other way around...I'll be lucky if I have the energy to go once a week, but at least my eating habits are better. You just have to really want it...really, really want it.

birdie22 · Jan 20, 2011

I use Jillian Michael (from Biggest Loser) workout dvd 30 day shred. its pretty cheap on amazon and there were so many positive reviews that i just bought it on a whim. I havent done it for an entire month yet, but so far, so good. It's a super short workout so its nice if you have a busy schedule. sometimes I do two workouts in one day if i'm feeling super motivated (or rather super out-of-shape!).