I will be a newly graduated nurse come May and am probably 100 lbs overweight. I was hoping to be working out and eating healthier and have lost some weight by the time I start my career but nursing school has proven to be a horrible time to try and focus on healthy eating and cardio...go figure.
Does anyone have any special tips for trying to lose weight and focus on one's own health while helping others heal? Here's to hoping a physically demanding profession will help my endeavors!
Additionally, for others overweight, do you notice patients question your education or work ethic and if so how do you overcome that?
I am doing the Eat to Live plan by Dr. Fuhrman. He's got some great ideas. Not so much about calories but about the nutrients. Those that follow him call it the Nutritarian diet. I have lost 10 lbs so far, though that is a by product as I never really had a weight problem. I have always been active and get my 15k steps in in the ER, though. He's basic...1 lb of veggies a day, 4 fruits, no dairy, no processed and minimal animal protein. I'm feeling better than I have in a while. He's a little extreme on some things (I like fish and am not giving it up) but he makes total sense on others.
We Americans have to stop eating absolute crap. Who needs soda in the Era of LA Croix sparkling water!? They are amazing!
I'm American but grew up in London and have lots of family still there. Whenever I go over for holidays, it's sausages, bacon, bread, roast dinners, puddings, custard and the best chocolate in the world. I pack the pounds on. When I get home, I have this setup in my spare room.
A treadmill with a flat screen on the wall. DVR with a Bluetooth headset. I watch my shows, use the treadmill and before you can say, Bob's your uncle, an hour has gone by. Four days a week and I stay at 115 lbs. I eat a lot of chocolates and without my setup I'd be heavy. Keeps me fit
I'm American but grew up in London and have lots of family still there. Whenever I go over for holidays, it's sausages, bacon, bread, roast dinners, puddings, custard and the best chocolate in the world. I pack the pounds on. When I get home, I have this setup in my spare room.
A treadmill with a flat screen on the wall. DVR with a Bluetooth headset. I watch my shows, use the treadmill and before you can say, Bob's your uncle, an hour has gone by. Four days a week and I stay at 115 lbs. I eat a lot of chocolates and without my setup I'd be heavy. Keeps me fit
I'm curious with the differences I read about in Europe compared to the US, does your family normally eat such foods or is this limited to short periods of time? Do they have weight issues on average?
One does have to wonder how much heredity plays into these things. I mean, we see it in our pt families alot.
All the women relatives on my fathers side were all huge- along with huge chests! ( gee, no thanks , lol) oh oops, I mean "of Size". Yet they didnt have diabetes. But my father and grandfather, both have/had diabetes, yet they both look like they will break if you hugged them- they are/were that thin. Clothes just hung on them. Go Figure- they had diabetes.
Depression seems to run on that side too- maybe stress eating? I actually dont eat that much, but apparently it's calorie rich, and I cant work out anymore d/t severe knee pain.
A treadmill with a flat screen on the wall. DVR with a Bluetooth headset. I watch my shows, use the treadmill and before you can say, Bob's your uncle, an hour has gone by. Four days a week and I stay at 115 lbs. I eat a lot of chocolates and without my setup I'd be heavy. Keeps me fit
I love this idea. I wish I could do it. But I'm talking my son into this, and he is starting to make a habit of it . Good one !
Libby, breakfast is usually a full English, beans, toast, bacon, sausages, eggs and lots of tea. Lunch is usually a sandwich or a pork pie etc. Dinner or tea, is usually like breakfast but with chips (French fries). It varies of course. Weekends is when we splurge. Take aways of Indian or Chinese or kebabs and Sunday is a full roast dinner with dessert of a trifle or pudding of some sort usually with custard. Lately people appear to be overweight somewhat however most people are active. It's the pub like with the pints that kills you.
The food is delicious to me and London is so multicultural that almost every cuisine is available.
Unfortunately being overweight or obese is more common than being "normal" weight. So patients are likely to be overweight themselves so would not ever mention a nurse's weight to her face.
I feel so fortunate that I am slender. But on the minus side I have type 2 diabetes.
It would be so difficult to lose 100 lbs. And to keep it off would take a lifestyle change that you would need to maintain for the rest of your life. I know very few people who are able to do that. Even people who have had gastric bypass & lost over 100 lbs have gained it all back. It is all so depressing!
After years of yo yoing with my weight, I had gastric bypass. It has been an excellent choice for me. I'm down 100 lbs and it will be a year in May. It's the little things that have made me notice how much weight affected daily life. I take the steps constantly at the hospital now. I was able to keep up with a group of 8th graders in D.C. I can finally shop in the regular section. I no longer take several medications. Mostly just various vitamins. I know surgery isn't for everyone but it was a great choice for me.
I need to lose 50- 60 lbs.Just read Gary Taubes' Why We Get Fat. Get your hands on it and follow the advice. This is the REAL science behind weight loss. Very full of latest research. When you're done, give it to your doctor! I'm starting the diet recommendations this week. Reply on this thread to compare progress. Will let you know how I do, too. Good luck!
One thing that has been making a huge difference for me as far as WW is concerned: having fresh fruit and vegetables available. Those are "free" foods, and are life savers. My fruit and vegetable consumption has gone WAY up, which isn't a bad thing at all. I ran out of produce yesterday and got REALLY cranky and panicky. Now that my stock has been replenished all is well again, but I can truly say that having a fully stocked kitchen with a wide variety of ready to grab fresh fruits and veggies has made a tremendous difference in helping me stick to my eating plan.
I'm curious with the differences I read about in Europe compared to the US,
​Libby, British food is quite different from the Continent. It's very similar to Irish food. The continent on the other hand varies from country to country. Very different from American food and especially different from what is called a Continental breakfast here.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I concur. Although I am maintaining a large weight loss rather than attempting to lose, I agree that fresh fruits and veggies are lifesavers.
Last night's bedtime snack was a baked gala apple sprinkled with cinnamon and a side of cottage cheese. It definitely was delicious and hit the spot.
One thing that has been making a huge difference for me as far as WW is concerned: having fresh fruit and vegetables available. Those are "free" foods, and are life savers. My fruit and vegetable consumption has gone WAY up, which isn't a bad thing at all. I ran out of produce yesterday and got REALLY cranky and panicky. Now that my stock has been replenished all is well again, but I can truly say that having a fully stocked kitchen with a wide variety of ready to grab fresh fruits and veggies has made a tremendous difference in helping me stick to my eating plan.
PACUpleeze
30 Posts
I am doing the Eat to Live plan by Dr. Fuhrman. He's got some great ideas. Not so much about calories but about the nutrients. Those that follow him call it the Nutritarian diet. I have lost 10 lbs so far, though that is a by product as I never really had a weight problem. I have always been active and get my 15k steps in in the ER, though. He's basic...1 lb of veggies a day, 4 fruits, no dairy, no processed and minimal animal protein. I'm feeling better than I have in a while. He's a little extreme on some things (I like fish and am not giving it up) but he makes total sense on others.
We Americans have to stop eating absolute crap. Who needs soda in the Era of LA Croix sparkling water!? They are amazing!