Weight GAIN in Nursing School

[LouisianaNurse2006]

I did a search for this topic and did not find as many hints/tips as I would have thought.

Now, if you are one of those people that loose weight when under stress, believe me, we don't want to hear it. I have a slim friend that always complains of loosing weight when she is stressed out, :angryfire.

Anyway, I am worried about gaining weight in nursing school. When I was taking the pre-reqs I was only going part time and I only gained a few pounds, but nursing classes are pretty much full time, and then with all the homework/studying I will be sitting alot, without time to excercise (I know me, I will put school work first - not exercise). Also, I find myself munching alot while studying, it helps me concentrate, and keeps me studying longer.

So if any of you guys have found ways of studying, etc, that doesn't pack on the pounds, PLEASE share your secrets :), they would be much appreciated!

Here are a couple of my favorites that helped in pre-reqs:

Study at the Library (you can't bring in food at ours).

When I study at home, I started out sucking on hard candies, but by the end of the first week, I was just biting them and chewing them up, one after another. So, I switched to sunflower seeds, one at a time, that helped, but all the salt made my fingers puffy .

It's like I need something in my mouth, but gum doesn't help. I must have been born to be a smoker or something, but of course I wouldn't start that, very unhealthy and my husband would divorce me.

As you can see I haven't really found anything that helps that much! Maybe you guys have some suggestions for my "oral" fixation!

Also, I would like to ask the working nurses, if after they finished school did they loose any weight they gained in nursing school?

I know I will put school first - I have to, but it would be nice to finish without being more overweight (15-20lbs) than I am now!

THANKS! I appreciate all you guys!

[Mandarella]

Hmmm...that's a good one. That sounds my speed.

What some of our classmates do, we workout on the treadmill with our notes or walk with our tape recorders and headphones. This way you are active and studying at the same time. Good luck in school.

[belladelicious]

Well, I was so stressed my first semester, I gained 30 pounds that first semester. I went from a size 8 to a size 12/14 (I'm 5'7)

I'm depressed, very depressed about it. It's horrible, don't let yourself gain weight.

this summer I've been trying to lose it, but it's tough.

Our teachers actually warned us about this, they said hair tends to get shorter and hips wider.....but I thought, never would that happen to me

Everytime I see someone who I haven't seen for awhile, they look at me like "omg.." It's terrible!

Watch yourself!!!!! Please!

[beckabeckahi]

What some of our classmates do, we workout on the treadmill with our notes or walk with our tape recorders and headphones. This way you are active and studying at the same time. Good luck in school.

Uugghh!!!!Exercise and study at the same time!? Hats off to those incredibly motivated students. Hey I guess your killing two birds with one stone.

As for me walking (outdoors) provides some exercise and stress management. And while right now I am off the wagon and have gained a few pounds--it is true that a few days of strength training pays off in bigger wieght loss when combined with cardiovascular activity.

Oh and one more word of advice--don't be so hard on yourself. Getting through this is hard enough. I'm all for being healthy but no one can do it ALL.--which I know is what all of us nurses-to-be are trying to do.

[FarmgrrlRN]

Another thumbs up for Weight Watchers from me too...

First semester I'm not sure how much weight I gained, but I was already up 50# in 3 years. I joined my Spring semester (Jan '04) and have lost 40+ pounds. A lot of it is in attitude. When we started they told us to buy our uniforms big and I thought I did. Turns out, I was ready to bust out of mine! Now its baggy! (happy dance). Also, your choices affect what happens. Drink plenty of water, find alternatives as suggested already...LF popcorn, veggies you can chew on, fruits, etc. The vending machines can be very tempting and if you do indulge, share those Peanut M&M's with a friend! I also have found it easier to bring my own snacks (Low Fat granola bars) that satisfy my sweettooth and give me a little boost in the AM on my way into clinicals. If you are a soda addict as I am, try switching to diet or the low calorie/sugar sodas....I love COKE C2!!! Oh yes, excercise!

I will tell you I'm not perfect and have fallen off my WW wagon but I have to get back on...there are plenty of times where I find myself eating the wrong things at study groups but I try to correct myself ASAP!

[bgm44]

I'm worrying about gaining weight also. I will start Aug 18 in the RN program but when I was in school for my 1st degree I gained about 30 lbs. I really don't want to gain anymore weight but it is hard. I sit all day at my job and I don't get a lot of exercise. I'm just hoping that when I graduate I will be able to start a regular exercise program. I'm thinking about starting pilates but I don't know:confused:

My fiance has lost about 100 lbs in the last 2 yrs but that still has not motivated me to get in shape. Maybe when I start school and going to clinicals I will cut bk on eating and become more active.

[LouisianaNurse2006]

Thanks for all the great tips and hints. I will stock up on healthy munchies, try chewing gum, and listen to or read notes while going for a walk..... can't hurt.

THANKS!

[maire, ASN, RN]

I don't really have anything to add except this: someone on this board I think had a signature that read: "Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels."

It's a great quote.

[Jen2]

I lost about 65# B4 starting nursing school and now with only 1 year left, i probably gained about 10# back, but thats not too bad (at least thats what I tell myself). My first semester it seemed as if I was too busy to eat and it wasn't too stressful, but the second semester was so hard I found myself eating a whole bag of little candy bars while studying. Towards the end of the semester I started eating bowls of dry cerial while studying like Honey Nut Cherios. They are sweet, and crunchy so it satisfied my sweet tooth as well as my addiction to crunchy chips. Eating the dry cerial really helped because it got pretty bad when I opened my book and crumbs of chips would fall out.