trouble stayng slim when in nursing school

nursemike, ASN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

I know that we have enough stress in nursing school without bringing our weight into the picture but I put on 10 pounds this past semester! I was wondering if anyone else had trouble keeping weigt off in nursing school........I think I ate more due to stress and late night studying....I didnt exercise as much and I just.....felt my clothes getting tighter. I would like to lose these 10 pounds so my clothes can fit me again and also avoid gaining weight this next semester......grrr! Does anyone have any advice or has this happened to you.....my main goal in nursing school is to pass my classes but I also would like to maintain my health and not put on weight. Help!!

They call it the "Nursing 20", so if you only gain ten, you're doing good! For me, the killer has been commuting 40 miles to my 0700 clinicals and 20 miles to 0800 classes. Lots of sausage and egg biscuits as part of a diet consisting of foods that can be eaten while driving.

I did a smoking cessation program over last summer, and I'm going to start Weight Watchers after graduation next summer--meanwhile just trying to eat semi-sensibly and get some more walking in. Maybe work on having a few less "slips" on the smoking, too.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Yes, it happened to me as well. I would just think when I was stressed.."I deserve to eat this junk right now. I'm stressed to the max!". Right now, I'm back to eating right, working out again to relieve stress and I've lost five lbs a couple of weeks ago and kept it off. I hope to lose about 10 more to get back into my size 2 jeans again.

:uhoh21: :uhoh21: Size 2????? :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

This short 5 foot 1 inch female would be ecstatic just to see a size FOUR! :imbar

I had a lot of extra weight from my birth control when I started school. Then by midway through last semester I had lost 20 pounds, and it was VERY NOTICEABLE! Then I bounced between 125 and 118 the last couple of months. I am 116 right now, I will be happy to get down to 110. I am a "thick" woman with defined hips and large breasts and buttocks, so I will NEVER EVER...(did I mention NEVER :crying2: ) see below a size 4/5 although I think I would like to be a 2. :stone Of course my addiction to fast food and failure to drink water doesn't help either. I did hear that water helps people lose weight. Since I started drinking green tea with ginseng instead of Pepsi I have noticed some weight loss. Pepsi is so good...but so evil! :devil: :chair:

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

:uhoh21: :uhoh21: Size 2????? :uhoh21: :uhoh21:
This short 5 foot 1 inch female would be ecstatic just to see a size FOUR! :imbar
I had a lot of extra weight from my birth control when I started school. Then by midway through last semester I had lost 20 pounds, and it was VERY NOTICEABLE! Then I bounced between 125 and 118 the last couple of months. I am 116 right now, I will be happy to get down to 110. I am a "thick" woman with defined hips and large breasts and buttocks, so I will NEVER EVER...(did I mention NEVER ) see below a size 4/5 although I think I would like to be a 2. :stone Of course my addiction to fast food and failure to drink water doesn't help either. I did hear that water helps people lose weight. Since I started drinking green tea with ginseng instead of Pepsi I have noticed some weight loss. Pepsi is so good...but so evil! :chair:

Hi there, see, I'm very small boned and 5 feet 5. Size 5 looks fine on me but a size 2/3 is where I'm at when I'm healthy, working out, strong...

Penny Lane · Dec 30, 2004

Ahhhhhh! I thought I was the only one! I'm going into my 4th semester, I've gained a total of 15 pounds and I feel like a squished pig in my clothes! I have been dieting for a week now and I have lost 3 lbs. just by watching what I eat because I hate to exercise! I'm usually a size 5 (have been all my life) and now I'm a "tight" size 8. I can't even button my pants. 4th semester starts in two and a half weeks, we get to wear different color scrubs (yah!) and I don't want to by a larger size, so I'm hanging in there and just watching what I eat. We can do it!

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

I've been doing co-reqs part time for the last year and a half. I've went from a loose size 4 to a tight size 6.

I'm not going to let my self climb higher to a size 8, so I've decided to stick to slim fast & avoid those vending machines, (except for one at school that has fresh sliced strawberries.)

Heck, I think I'm going to go excersize & lift weight right now!

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2004

Hi there, see, I'm very small boned and 5 feet 5. Size 5 looks fine on me but a size 2/3 is where I'm at when I'm healthy, working out, strong...

:coollook: I think 2 is an awesome size! I am just very jealous. Forever I will be short AND fat! :angryfire BUT...I still love myself!

cingulargirl21 · Dec 31, 2004

I am enjoying eating whatever I want right now.........On Jan 1, I am going to start drinking tons of water and loading up on figure friendly foods.....I want to lose a few pounds before school starts on the 10th.....I just want to have more energy too.........I put on 10 pounds....plus whenever I drink more water and eat less junk, my skin is so soft and looks glowing! So........I am excited.......I bought a few new shirts today that were on sale...I want to look good! I love how good I feel when I take care of my body but for now I love eating this ice cream........yummy!

Pammie · Dec 31, 2004

I just posted a note under "Resolutions" that said we should start a weight loss club for future RN's. I have gained 30 pounds in 18 months of school. What a lousy example to patients! During that 18 months I worked out 3 X's weekly (fitness PE classes) for 13 months of it, still gaining all the while. I am extremely disciplined in every area of my life but this one! :crying2:

suzanne4, RN · Dec 31, 2004

I just posted a note under "Resolutions" that said we should start a weight loss club for future RN's. I have gained 30 pounds in 18 months of school. What a lousy example to patients! During that 18 months I worked out 3 X's weekly (fitness PE classes) for 13 months of it, still gaining all the while. I am extremely disciplined in every area of my life but this one!

What are you eating? Have you tried keeping a food diary?

Are you eating much sugar? If you try and cut down on the sugar considerably, you will find that you have more energy and your head will be much clearer for getting your homework done.

I tired this with my students in Thailand last year and it made a significant difference in their energy and how they felt. And they all lost weight also.

Hope that this helps................ :balloons:

Altra, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2004

I'll "join the club" ...

Graduation in six months ... must wear white uniform for pictures & pinning ceremony ... 'nuff said. :rotfl:

Pammie · Dec 31, 2004

Yes, I have tried a number of things, including WW online. At the present, I am keeping a food diary/calorie counter on my PDA. I eat when I study, but you hit the nail on the head when you said "sugar." That is the whole issue. The fact that my family is big snack eaters does not help. I have 8 kids, 4 of whom are still at home. They, and my hubby, snack constantly...only I am the only one with a weight problem!! In a way, that is a blessing, because if I could eat all I want and not gain weight, I am sure that I would be even less disciplined, which is really bad for the health. I, too, have noticed that I am not as clear-headed and am more tired when I am eating lots of sugary items. How do I break this horrible cycle? I feel like an alcoholic! (I don't drink, though.)

What are you eating? Have you tried keeping a food diary?
Are you eating much sugar? If you try and cut down on the sugar considerably, you will find that you have more energy and your head will be much clearer for getting your homework done.
I tired this with my students in Thailand last year and it made a significant difference in their energy and how they felt. And they all lost weight also.
Hope that this helps................ :balloons:

totallytheresa · Dec 31, 2004

I'll join the group too!! I think part of my problem is that I should eat only when I'm hungry? Because, for example, when I would have to be at clinicals at 6:50am, I would eat breakfast because I knew I wouldn't have a chance to eat until lunch- even though I wasn't hungry! I know you're supposed to eat breakfast, but what if you're not hungry?! Maybe keep a granola bar or something I can just eat quickly in my backback for next semester. And, I know I need to exercise! I have a treadmill in my bedroom, and a membership at the YMCA... what is my problem??!!! UG! :uhoh21:

I just posted a note under "Resolutions" that said we should start a weight loss club for future RN's. I have gained 30 pounds in 18 months of school. What a lousy example to patients! During that 18 months I worked out 3 X's weekly (fitness PE classes) for 13 months of it, still gaining all the while. I am extremely disciplined in every area of my life but this one!