What happened to my healthy lifestyle?

mistydave · Feb 12, 2007

I want to join. I don't start nursing school til april, however, definetly cannot afford to gain weight. I have kids that are homeschooled and life to lead too, so this will be a difficult task for me also.

pegbord · Feb 12, 2007

mistydave, do you have any specific goals and actions?

This is day one for me on getting my healthy self back -- I am going to be walking today while going over med/surg lecture! it's just been SOOOO LOOONNNGGGG since I've been out for even just a brisk walk, I almost have a gulp stuck in my throat at the anticipation ---- not sure why it feels so daunting - maybe just knowing that lack of agility and cardiac condition will be greeting me - no more denying what I have let myself become!

Ohhh, please wish me well -- so not looking forward to having to face my lack of good health and endurance . . . . . . I will build it back, I know I can, I know I can, I know I can . . . . .!

GIRN · Feb 12, 2007

I remember that happening to me and several others in my group during nursing school. Sounds like you have a good plan, though. At least you're aware of what's happening and determined to stop it. I always felt that for me, saying I didn't have enough time for something was a cop-out. It's just a matter of prioritizing what's important and then making it happen. When I was in school, I wanted to have time to exercise but didn't want it bad enough to make it happen. Added to that was the need to eat late at night in order to keep my eyes open while studying, which made for a bad combination. I admire you for figuring out this system of listening to lectures on the run. I've been out of school four years and still have 15 pounds to lose cause I didn't make exercise a priority. Good luck to you!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2007

I jogged every other day in nursing school. I made it as high a priority as studying. Usually took only 45 minutes to an hour. It kept me sane, gave me time to destress.

It might be too much stress on you to set diet and weight loss goals right now. Just do your best to fit some jogging in and eat a little better and concentrate on school without stressing yourself out. But make the jogging a high priority, maybe not at the same amounts as pre-school, but do it.

Good luck!

mistydave · Feb 12, 2007

Yes I need to lose 50 lbs. This is how I am starting. I know this may sound silly, but we just moved up here from Atlanta, quite cold for me here with snow on the ground in Ohio. I homeschool my kids so for this to work for me I have to find inventive exercise at home. No gym for me. Last week after serious gym contemplation, I decided i would just walk vigorously (march in place - so I swung my arms for a cardio workout) and timed myself for 30 min. I was in my warm living room, didn't need a treadmill, was warm, and watched my favorite tv show. And you know what, I was sore for 3 days after that, and i sweated my butt off. So that was a huge wake up call to me on exactly how out of shape I am. So my goal is to do that daily. And do some pilates 3 times a week. But as soon as I start school and have some lections to listen to then I will do my exercising with lectures not tv. And as soon as some weather comes where you can actually breathe outside, I will do my walks with the kids.

I was hoping eventually we could get one of those ab loungers, we tried one out at the store and it was way cool!

Spill, RN · Feb 12, 2007

i'm in. i'm going to hit the treadmill for about 45 min 3-4 x a wk

i was also, hitting the gym everyday and eating great. then ns happened. i rather go to bed and take a nap lately. i hardly eat anything green anymore, it's all grilled cheese latley.

i know if i can get in my exercise it will actually increase my energy level.

good luck to everyone---we can do this!

shoegalRN, RN · Feb 12, 2007

I'll join in. Since starting nursing school on 01/17/07, I've gained about 5 lbs. I know this is not much for some people, but considering I was a gym rat (going atleast 3-4 times a week for 1.5 to 2 hours at a time), this is not acceptable. I havent been to the gym ONCE since school started. On top of that, I'm not eating well either. I always ate good porportions and tried to eat 5 small meals a day, but with long studying sessions, I'm drinking way too much coffee than usual and then overeating because I'm skipping meals. So, starting this week, I'm started to put exercise a TOP priority. I have time between classes and I'm gonna start working out at the cardio gym at the hospital before my last class start. That way, I'll get my workouts in everyday and then still be able to get to class instead of waiting until after class and going to the gym before going home for the evening. I am finding that once I get out of class at about 5:30 in the evening, I'm tired from school all day and just want to go home. But instead, I'm staying at the hospital and studying and then going home at about 8:00pm and then hitting the sheets. I think once I start including working out in my daily schedule again along with doing a different vitamin regimene, I'll have my energy back and be okay.

la bellota, BSN, RN · Feb 12, 2007

May I join? I am not sure how actively I can participate but I desperately need to do something.

Weight loss would be nice....but I am more concerned with my energy levels. I am falling asleep at work!!

(going to school and work concurrently)

All suggestions are greatly appreciated....and needed.

MB37 · Feb 12, 2007

I am supposed to start an accelerated BSN program in May, and while I'm OK with my current weight I definitely don't want to gain any! I also have high BP for my age/wt and hopefully regular exercise will help bring that down. We just bought a stationary bike last week, and it has a padded seat, backrest, and rack that I can stick a book in while I ride. We put it in the living room of our too small apartment, so even while watching TV we'll feel guilty if we haven't used it.

One thing I am good at is cooking, and I really hope that doesn't fall to the wayside once NS starts. Rachel Ray is a good place to start, especially for busy people, b/c her recipes really don't take much longer than 30 min and at least aren't bad for you. There are a lot of tasty and good for you foods that aren't time-consuming to prepare. Plus, if you're good most of the time then you feel less guilty about ordering pizza the night before an exam. Good luck to everyone else!

lmacks4 · Feb 13, 2007

I hear ya on that. I make excerise part of my routine...I make sure that I bring my notes to the gym with me. Studying on the eliptical not only do you study but also getting in that excerise. Its great. :pumpiron:

tatarn2b2007 · Feb 13, 2007

I absolutely understand where you are coming from. I have been talking about this subject with my nursing classmates. All of us are scheduled to graduate in May!! Over the past 2-3 years, many of us have put on weight and have not been too healthy. Since the beginning of the year, I have tried to swim for 45 minutes at least every other day...although, I did fall off the wagon last week :smackingf I got back to it yesterday though!! Keep up the good work on making it a priority and you will be able to reach your goals!