Any other nurses? Or anyone in the medical field?

rlmcnay

I am a Medical Assistant working at a local hospital and also going to nursing school for my RN. The drug reps always bring in food and candy and starbucks, so it is hard to lose weight. But, I have learned to just say no and to bring in my own foods or ask if they can bring a healtier option. I have since lost 24 lbs and plan on losing alot more. Feel free to add me if you like.

sarahvmatthews

Hi! I've been a NICU nurse for the last 7 years. I always pack my lunch the night before and plan out exactly what I am going to eat. I work 3 12 hour shifts a week, and the days I work are the days I do the best! I also pack dinner to eat in the car on the way home - usually a sandwich, an apple, and maybe a 100 calorie pack. By the time I get home and get the kids to bed, it is usually 830, which is too late to be worrying about dinner. I don't let myself go to the cafeteria or vending machines. I have done so much better with my goals by sticking to what is in my lunchbox each day.

ToEKnee213

I work behind the scenes in the IT department....third shift and my butt in a chair for 10 hours....It's BRUTAL for weight control, but I am determined!

ladykaisa

I'm a receptionsit for a GP, and.... well, I find it fairly easy. Sorry =(
I mean, we have a lunch lady who has all sorts of unhealthy stuff, but I bring my lunches every day and all my snacks. It gets busy, but eating at my desk has become my life. Got a cushy 8-5/Mon-Fri job.
It helps, though, that my boss is a health nut! We compare workouts and meals, and NEVER have sweets in our office because she eats gluten free and rarely any sweets.
Christimetime is bad, though. I swear about 1/3 of our pt base (of 1500 ppl) brought in homemade fudge last year.... and the cookies! Thankfully most of my pts bring in coffee for us when it's not xmas
I am on my butt most of the day, however I do find ways to "take the long way" and get up often. ie. Running back to ask questions instead of IMing or emailing, taking the staires instead of the elevator, and making seperate trips for lab and mail runs.

its_sania

I'm a clinical nurse in the operating theatre. I gained a bit of weight on my first few years. Having to scrub for long cases kind of makes it hard to eat properly. I usually have to eat something quickly before the case starts so I don't faint from standing for hours at a time. Sometimes I'm scrubbed for 6-8hrs! Strangely enough after that the hunger pangs have usually subsided but I know my body still needs food. I always used excuses, I was too exhausted to workout after coming home from a 10hr shift. Or I'd choose socializing over exercise. I didn't think I had the time but in the last year I made a conscious decision to make time, which I have, and feel so much better for it! I still get tempted with snacks that people bring into our break room, but if I indulge I try to make sure I burn it off when I get home!

valenief

Just graduated RN school in may and I gained 40 lbs on top of my 30 lbs of leftover baby weight while in school now that Im done Im trying to get the weight off down 20 lbs so far.

Erica_theRedhead

Hey all, I'm a hospital pharmacist here. Shift work kills me! I work mostly evenings (4p-12a) which work great for me, but recently I've been scheduled for midnights on weekends, day shifts during the week, and maybe 1 evening thrown in there too. It's not just the snacking, but lack of sleep really messes with my weight loss. Some days I get 12 hours, some days 2 hours. I found it's just all preparation when it comes to eating right at the hospital. Don't do the take out, don't eat the snacks, and drink plenty of water.

lja20

I've been a nurse for 27 years, 26 of those years in Oncology nursing. Started out on the inpatient floor in a large hospital. I've been in the clinic setting for several years now, but it is still located within the hospital and we are very, very busy because so many cancer treatments are done in the outpatient setting. Can be stressful, yes, but VERY rewarding. I learn so much from this patient population!
The treats that are brought in for us can definitely be challenging, especially at holiday time! It's such a nice gesture and they mean well. It's most difficult, I find, when its 2:30 in the afternoon and I haven't been able to get to lunch yet, then I'm snacking on the treats. So, I've started bringing in my own protein bar of some kind(especially like the Market pantry-target nutrition bars and Greek yogurt bars). This helps to keep me satisfied so I don't over do on the treats. On certain days, if I'm able to do so, I'll take a couple of ten minute jaunts around the hospital--walk as fast as I can for 10 minutes. Then I'll do the same thing for 20 minutes at lunch. That way if I'm too tired to do anything once home, I've at least gotten in a 40 minute walk in! Although most days I do also use my stationary bike for 30 minutes.

GCNerd

Hi all! I'm a genetic counselor in a few different clinics across the hospital: neurology, pediatrics, and cancer. I'm either sitting in front of a computer or running around in clinic. Either way, I don't end up having the greatest eating habits as a result.

I've got to pack all my own food because the cafeteria is a disaster! I used to always buy my lunch and that's when I really noticed that I was packing on the pounds.

niknak30

Well, at least we nurse (and those in the medical field) are clearly not alone.
Paediatric after hours nurse manager here in Australia - currently on night shift and due to my lack of planning I do not have good snacks on me tonight. Add to that the fact that the starbucks in the foyer shut 3 hrs early (thus meaning I missed my one coffee for the night) and I am an unhappy camper!

So, I will manage with my one snack and a coffee sachet from home and just hope that when I do my rounds in a couple of hours that the wards have eaten their chips, chocolates,cakes, lollies, etc so I am not tempted

The key to good night shift food is to be organised! Clearly - I can run a hopital, just not my own snacks LOL

sltrask

Love to see alot of different nursing people out there feeling the same pain of the shift work and weight problems. I graduated 10 years ago and had 2 wonderful children. Working shift work and family it is very hard to find time for yourself but no one is going to do it for you so you have to step up to the plate. Working in Oncology and managment is hard on the head and heart but starting to take control.

sherri33s

I have been a nurse for awhile. I notice a gradual weight gain over the years. I try to pack my meals so I am not hitting the vending machines.

brandy_nurs24

I work in the ER doing 3 12's a week. I definately have put on some weight. about 20 pounds to be exact since I started. Before I worked with a cardiology group. That's where I put on most of my weight. We would get drug reps bringing in breakfast,lunches and our favorite smoothies(not the healthy ones). It's embarrassing at how much weight I've put on! ugh......

velvetkat

I work in the ER doing 3 12's a week. I definately have put on some weight. about 20 pounds to be exact since I started. Before I worked with a cardiology group. That's where I put on most of my weight. We would get drug reps bringing in breakfast,lunches and our favorite smoothies(not the healthy ones). It's embarrassing at how much weight I've put on! ugh......

i know how you feel!! but since I have been losing weight my co workers although they havent joined me make sure I am staying on the straight and narrow... those drug reps are the worst as we get breakfast at least once a week and lunch maybe 3 times a week... I just bring my own and dont even go where all the food is!

mdj1501

Hi! My name is Michelle. I am a labor and delivery RN... always looking for nurse friends for support.

TynkEMT

Hello everyone! My name is Ericka and I am a paramedic.