trouble stayng slim when in nursing school

Pammie · Jan 5, 2005

Yea, I tried to supplements and they didn't help. The best way to reduce the cortisol is to learn to effectively deal with the stress. Thanks for the heads up on the caffeine. I also read an article yesterday on Aspartame that said that if you drink 2 or 3 diet drinks in a row, that it can actually raise your blood sugar level. I don't know if it is true, but I have come off that, too, after having lost 3 friends to glioblastomas. These ladies were heavy diet soda drinkers. I am using splenda. They may find something later about it, too, but for now I am using it. I really, really need to just switch to more H2O!

Everyone just be careful with all of the ads out there for cortisol reducing supplements. There is no magic bullet, it will just take a conscious effort to watch what we put in our mouth. I also read recently that caffeine creates more insulin in your blood and will make you hungry more often. I have cut down to one cup of coffee with caffeine a day and the rest of the time I drink decaf or have one cup of green tea because that has caffeine in it too. Be careful of the herbal teas too, as some can make you sleepy.

Pammie · Jan 5, 2005

Family issues do not always help, as you have pointed out.

Patrick I used to think men had it made when it came to losing weight because they have more muscle mass then women, however my husband finds it just as hard as I do. Misery loves company so he usually wants to go out and have coffee ice cream and talk about how we need to diet. I am making light of this, but it really is a problem for most of America and our youngsters growing up now. It is a serious health problem and we all would serve our profession well if we could find ways to help stop this epidemic.

Constance Ann · Jan 5, 2005

I did the WW online and I actually did lose about 11 pounds, which I have now gained back. It was just so much trouble to get on the pc and put it in. I just purchased (online) a similar program for my PDA. It was $20-30. I can pull it out and do it right then. It pretty much counts calories. It has been helpful.

I think WW should have an even more reduced rate for students, especially those in healthcare. It is hard to tell patients to do as I say, not do as I do. . What is the program you have for your PDA, is it from WW?

Pammie · Jan 5, 2005

Actually, there IS a program out from WW for PDA's, but mine is less expensive. I downloaded mine from http://www.calorieking.com

I think WW should have an even more reduced rate for students, especially those in healthcare. It is hard to tell patients to do as I say, not do as I do. . What is the program you have for your PDA, is it from WW?

RicksNurse · Jan 5, 2005

Actually, there IS a program out from WW for PDA's, but mine is less expensive. I downloaded mine from www.calorieking.com

Thanks for that link, Pammie. It will be helpful. :rolleyes:

I also gained a lot of weight in nursing school but consider the fact that in a few short months- about 6- I will be running my buns off , trying to figure out what to do on the floors. I also have a free membership to the Y from our school but have to go in at about 6 a.m- do you know what it is like to get up at 5 to go inot a pool? In the winter? Then go to work, then class? Okay, enough.

Yes, I would like support too.

Pammie · Jan 5, 2005

Thanks for that link, Pammie. It will be helpful.
I also gained a lot of weight in nursing school but consider the fact that in a few short months- about 6- I will be running my buns off , trying to figure out what to do on the floors. I also have a free membership to the Y from our school but have to go in at about 6 a.m- do you know what it is like to get up at 5 to go inot a pool? In the winter? Then go to work, then class? Okay, enough.
Yes, I would like support too.

Ugh!! Hmph. It was in the upper 70's today where I live. We are pretty sick of the warm weather and ready for winter, which is very short-lived here in south Georgia. We have a pool at my school which is open to students, but I am NOT getting into a swimsuit in front of ANYONE that I know!!

:chuckle I AM walking everyday, though. We have an indoor walking track in our gym, plus the weather has been nice enough to even walk this evening in short sleeves, which my hubby and I did.

I am fortunate enough to be able to quit my job this semester. I love my job; I have been employed at the college I attend for the past 5 1/2 years, but the 31st is my last day. I work in the testing division and it was just way too much this past semester when I was juggling last tests and finals for my own classes and also helping to administer SAT's (and hand grade them), exit tests for remedial classes, VUE certifications, tests for the online classes, and placement tests for new students coming in. I was frazzled with all of the juggling. Not to mention the gazillion other responsibilities I have. I really admire those students who must work full-time all the way through. I don't know how they do it, attend these long hours of school, and study, too. Med-Surg nursing, alone, has 15 contact hours per week, at our school.

Speaking of school and work, I need to be in bed! I have kiddos to get to school and then go to work, myself, in the morning.

You can email me at [email protected], if you'd like. I am corresponding with another nursing student on here, too, for support.

forensicRN · Jan 5, 2005

I can totaly relate. I put on 20lbs during school and now the stress from work has not helped either!! I guess it is up to me and the good ol' will power!!! Hopefully It will get better. Good Luck!

sabrn2006 · Jan 5, 2005

I started exercising again yesterday after a break of almost 2 months. I'm trying to take it easy at first and ease my way in. I have 2 weeks until classes begin again which should give me enough time to make this a habit.

I definitely believe that stress influences my eating patterns as well as my body's tendency to put on weight. My mom says she lost weight while in nursing school. I hope that can happen for me in the next semester.

Those candy bars in the vending machine are just so tempting though. And the salads are a long, often cold walk from our nursing building!

BandEmom · Jan 5, 2005

Sorry, no advice here. My nursing school was like a little family, and we frequently had little (no, big) pizza buffets and ice cream socials and chocolates when we took tests. Plus, last term (I just graduated) my two closest friends and I were out to eat a lot, especially when we studied together, and for tests. Since the beginning of school, we gained a total of over 100 pounds. Can you believe that???? Of course, two of us had babies early on, and one is hypothyroid, but it really took us the whole two years to gain it all. So its XL scrubs for me for a little while till I get things better prioritized. We joked that if we had to stay in school one more term they'd have to roll us across the stage!

Pammie · Jan 5, 2005

We will just have to take our own snacks and stay away from those vending machines. Fruit, homemade low-fat muffin, Slim fast snack bar (or other brand). They Slim Fast snack bars have half the calories of a candy bar with lots of vitamins added.

JulesRN05 · Jan 5, 2005

I'm just the opposite. I use to be an emotional eater so whenever I was stressed out about something I would eat and eat and eat!! Now that I'm in nursing school I can't eat. I have a severe loss of appetite. Sometimes I even forget to eat.!!!???? I know!!!:uhoh21: Needless to say I've lost 10lbs in 1 month. I know that can't be good but I can't help it. I've started taking some vitamins to compensate for some the items my body is missing and I try to snack on something throughout the day but as far as eating 3 square meals/day forget it. I remember one time I went to mcdonalds after class to get a big mac because I was craving it. I took two bites and threw it away. I just couldnt eat anymore.
Now that school's out I've been eating regularly and I started working out, but I know when school starts in Jan I'll get stressed out and not eat.

I seemed to lose the weight this past semester as well, I was happy :) with that, but now during the holiday I've seemed to put it all back on, or atleast most of it. I've started a exercise program and I hope I stick with it. I've actually set up a schedule which will help me focus on exercising and studying. I figure if I chalk in time for exercise and studying I will get it done. I've also scheduled my household duties, the question will be...can I stick to the schedule? I guess I'll find out after my spring classes start. It's amazing how nurses are supposed to focus on good health, promote exercise and good nutrition, but we tend to ignore it ourselves. I hope I can practice what I preach and stick with it. :rotfl: Good luck to everyone.

kmrmom42 · Jan 6, 2005

Haven't you ever heard of the "freshman 15"? This is a known phenomenon for students in their first year of college, and I guess it matters not what age you are when you are making this transition to the student role....many folks gain weight.