Working out & eating healthy with busy schedule!

[kkernagh]

I have been struggling recently, as the semester has progressed with eating healthy and working out. I would like to go to the gym atleast 2x a week, and do workouts at home additionally. I also have been finding it difficult to eat healthy when you have to pack so much food to get you through the day! Any suggestions?? Im at clinical 16 hours a week and at work 20 hours a week, and school additional!

Suggestions are appreciated :)

[RN403, BSN, RN]

You can try making a healthy dinner the day/night before clinical and packing it to heat up later when you have your break. You can also pack healthy snacks that taste good and are easy to much on when you are on the go, such as your favorite fruits or vegetables with dip. Try packing healthy foods that you like and treat yourself every now and then! You are still human and we still all like a little treat here and there.

It can be hard to eat healthy with limited time but it is possible. Just try to stay away from vending machines if you can.

When it comes to working out...you might try incorporating study time with your gym time. Bring your notes with you. Many of us have done that and it has worked out nicely.

Best wishes.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

When it comes to working out, I have to multitask or nothing gets done. I am always studying on the elliptical, arc trainer, etc and the attendants always tell me they're afraid I'm going to fall off because I get so into reading! Its the only way I can justify taking time away from sitting and studying so I have to use my time wisely.

[mrsboots87]

I agree with studying while working out. I bring my flashcards and will sometimes listen to recorded lecture as well. Then you get a workout and dont lose study time.

[RunBabyRN]

I got lucky- my husband bought me a treadmill for my birthday partway through nursing school. I would prop my laptop or book on there and crank up the incline and walk and read. I also packed my food for school and clinicals. Lots of salads, Greek yogurt and berries, leftovers from dinners (I'd make huge meals for this reason), and Kind bars. I bought a large cooler I'd carry with me everywhere. I LOVE Clean Eating magazine for ideas for this.

Is there a gym on-campus? That's what I did for some stuff, but I also run. I'd run and then shower at school, or hit the gym there. I managed to run a marathon and a Tough Mudder while taking a full load of classes over the summer, and another Tough Mudder not long before graduation. Be creative about your workouts, think outside of the box, and be open to squeezing in 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, throughout the day.