any nurses/hospital employees out there?

SaraAnne

I'm in nursing school and had a particularly crazy cinical today... I (quite literally) did NOT sit down from 7am-2pm, barely ate anything until I got home around 330, then binged on carbs. So A.) I'm wondering if you ever find this happening to you? and B.) when you have those crazy days where you are physically worn out by work do you count it as exercise calories? (I'm PMSing so I decided to cave and give myself a couple hours of 2mph walking in exercise calories, I figure it's better than nothing?) It's definitely more active than I am for a normal 7 hours straight..

Just wondering, mainly because I could use the extra calories today and I'm stressed out haha. Any feedback would help!!

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

jalara

I'm also a nursing student and I've been wondering the same thing! Thanks for posting the question

AnneElise

hey! i am not a nurse but i am a teacher so there are some days that I feel like you did today. I think that if you walked way more than normal you can count some of it as exercise calories. Just think about what you usually do and then use the rest as exercise calories. 2mph is slow enough you shouldn't be overguessing so i think you are okay.

lunglady

No matter how crazy my day went, I do not count it as exercise.

I've changed my schedule so that I can work out in the morning, BEFORE the day gets off to a crazy start. Doesn't always work when I'm on call, though. :ohwell:

lizziemeow

Hi there. I am a nurse too and in this profession you will have days like that. I dont count them as added exercise. I do try to carry snacks with me I can keep in my pocket and nibble on discreetly. I love me some sweets. I get around that by always having arbonne weight loss chews with me. I also have 1 or 2 arbonne chocolate protein shakes a day. They satisfy my sweet tooth without any guilt. Also, like lunglady I work out first thing in the morning before I go to work. It means getting up early but once it becomes a habit it isnt as painful. Really.
Good luck in school and on your healthy life goals.

cabrown

I am a nurse and I have worked plenty of 12 hour shifts. Although you do move alot at times, don't count that as exercise...figure the calories burned during work count for those calories that you forget to account for. Try some of the South Beach protein bars that are a quick snack while you are clinicals but will hold you over longer so you don't feel like binging.

It's hard but

Solko1983

I think for the first week or two you will be "exercising" after that it will just be your normal activitiy level and your body will adjust. I work on a very busy surgical floor and I can tell you it will never really slow down lol.
Keep this all in mind for when you are actually doing cardio. You will really have to put in the extra effort and keep your heart rate up there. I wear a pedometer to work sometimes and can easily manage 7-11 miles on a busy shift. Going for a 30 minute walk, just does not cut it anymore. Think about investing in a bicycle or keep up a really good power walk.

Best of luck in nursing school and with your weight loss goals!

megbar1979

I don't count my work days as exercise even if I feel like colapsing when I get home. I work out every day that I don't work though so the walking at work is just the icing on the cake.

oomalmal

I don't count working as working out. As far as snacking goes, I make sure to eat a high protien breakfast to hold me over, then I keep almonds, low fat cheese sticks, bananas and such close by on hand for quick and filling snacks.