not getting to the gym

jen10st
jen10st Posts: 325 Member
in Motivation and Support
Ok so what I'm really looking for here are some friendly ideas and support. I'm a student nurse currently on a very physically and mentally demanding placement. I'm doing well with my diet but havnt gotten to the gym at all in 3-4 weeks. I'm genuinely too tired after work but I've noticed I'm really lacking in motivation and energy on my days off. I'm starting to get really p***ed of with myself and I miss the gym. What can I do to help increase my energy levels?

Replies

  • hughtwalker
    hughtwalker Posts: 2,213 Member
    do you really need the exercise at the gym when you are getting so much physical exercise at work. I know you will dismiss the work as not really being "exercise" - because we all do - but your days off are for recharging mind and body.

    Listen to your body and, maybe, wear a pedometer if that will shut up your conscience from nagging you.

    Neither you nor your patients will benefit from a worn out you. The recreation of the gym (and the endorphins) will be all the motivation you need when it tells you it is time.

    Artifical energy boosters will usually do more harm than good.

    - AND you may be "Doing TOO well" with your diet and not giving yourself enough fuel.
  • jen10st
    jen10st Posts: 325 Member
    You have very good points, however the physical part is largely standing still which causes more pain in my feet and back than a normal shift where I'd be walking/running around a lot more. I will wear a pedometer on my next shift though, I might just be surprised by the results. I'm just feeling down and frustrated with it.
  • foleyshirley
    foleyshirley Posts: 1,043 Member
    Hi. I teach at a community college, and I see first hand how physically demanding the nursing program can be, especially clinicals. Your best bet right now might be to try to get in 10 minutes of exercise (walking, etc) whenever you can. Little doses of exercise can help, and might make you feel better after all the standing. Maybe try something like yoga on your days off to ease the stress and give you a good stretch.
  • sandhillsmom
    sandhillsmom Posts: 319 Member
    I can relate to not getting to the gym. After a summer of not working I'm back in the classroom teaching. I'm standing and t=walking all day at school to to tune of over 10,000 steps in a day. But I have no energy to stop at the gym and workout after dealing with middle school students all day. I did make it to the gym yesterday and today which made me feel great! First time I've worked out on a weekend both days since school started a month ago!

    I'm looking at my schedule and thinking of trying at least once to go in early morning before school. I want to at least try it and see how it goes. Is that an option you have?
  • elprincipito
    elprincipito Posts: 1,200 Member
    try going early in the morning before work?
  • RedwoodCoast
    RedwoodCoast Posts: 107 Member
    If you can afford it, you might consider getting a Fitbit Ultra ($99, available lots of places including amazon.com). It will count your steps and miles, as well as your "floors" - how much you climb during the day. It also synchs with MFP, giving you "credit" for the calories you burn during your daily activities. The numbers are very motivating and have encouraged me to add little movement breaks into my day - for example, using the restroom that's one floor down instead of the one on my floor (drinking 8 cups of water a day means taking a few restroom breaks!), and adding additional steps by walking down the hall to the stairs that are furthest from my office, rather than taking the closest ones. Altogether these add only about two minutes to each restroom trip, but over the course of the day the activity adds up - and clears my head, too. And I park further away from my office, in a parking lot that requires me to climb stairs up to my building.

    Seeing how much your routine activity adds up to, and being motivated to add in just a little bit here and there, can help address that frustration while you are going through phases where you can't fit in a "regular" workout.

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