Working Out-using exercise for health and stress

[patrick1rn, MSN, RN, NP]

How many nurses workout

If so what do you ? How often ?

I personally find that working out helps me be a better person, I manage stress in a better manner and I think much clearer. I work the night shift in the ICU. The only thing open at night is that world famous Irish Restaurant

and a place called Red Eye Cafe. I am guilty of going to the world famous Irish fast food place and the Red Eye

I normally have a 3 split routine with cardio as a warmup and a cool down. That means i work out every body part every three days with weights and machines and calistetics. It doesnt really matter how much you lift, all that ego stuff really means nothing, but i like to lift moderately heavy its more important but to breath right, squeeze right and go slow

I wish I could do pilates, I tried it once, the video?

So what do you do ?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I work out three days per week. I do 30 minutes on the elliptical, followed by a circuit on the weight machines. I go for more reps with less weight, rather than more weight with fewer reps. I feel much better about life in general after working out. I have more energy and stamina, and my general outlook on life is a lot more positive.

[Guest717236]

Pilates and international dance (middle eastern, samba, flamenco).

Which Pilates dvd did you try? If possible, if you can get a short series

of mat lessons , you will be safer practicing with a dvd. The instructor

will correct your form so you can perform the exercise moves safely.

If you find you like pilates, the pilates stick which is available has both

a basic and advanced dvd at present. More dvds are planned for

reformer and cadillac exercises.

Good luck with your fitness plan in 2009!

[Multicollinearity, BSN, RN]

I'm a student nurse, not a nurse yet. I do a combined cardio/weight lifting workout for 90 minutes every other day. This 90 minute workout is on a stepper with resistance bands. I've also added two days a week of the Jillian Michael's Shred workout which is brutal.

On the alternating days I do 30 minutes of yoga. I find the yoga particularly useful to stretch my sometimes sore muscles.

I used to do so much cardio, and now I've switched to more of a focus on building muscle. I cannot describe how great it is to see my flab turning to sculpted and powerful muscles. It makes me feel strong in more ways than just lifting ability. My osteoarthritis is also noticibly improved.

I definitely manage stress better when I consistently exercise. I don't think I'd be managing the stress of nursing school and 21 credits very well without my consistent exercise right now. On days when I feel blah and irritable, I just get on my stepper and follow my workout DVD, and by the time I'm done, I'm dripping with sweat and I feel great.