EMS

Yep. Fire/EMT. Trying to avoid any weight gain due to the rough hours and limited availability of good food. Having (some) success at losing a little bit of weight too. Also want to build strength for lifting those bariatrics.

I've been in EMS for several years now, but just started working for a busier system this year. I was used to being in a "sit at the station and wait for a call" type of system and now I'm in a system that posts units at various locations in the city depending on past call statistics. The change has been harder on my weightloss goals. I could bring healthy food to the station and cook it, but with this system, you have to pack a sandwich or rely on microwaves/food at the hospital EMS rooms. Fast food is just a nightmare.

Yeah, we keep a cooler in the back side compartment - so it's possible to stick something in there, but there is no guarantee that you're going to ever get to a microwave to heat it up, so it usually has to be a sandwich or something you don't mind eating cold. (I'm really not big on salads - feels like I'm eating grass). I work nights, so the hospital cafeterias are closed. I usually survive off of peanut butter crackers and the 100 calorie packs that the EMS rooms have while I'm running in and out after dropping off a patient.

As far as strength training goes - if you're in a busy system like mine - you're going to be lifting a lot of patients and you just sort of get better and better as time goes by. Not only are gyms expensive, but I find that I often lack the motivation to go after working long shifts. I do a lot of stuff on my own in the living room. Burpees, squats, planks, mountain climbers, arm dips. I've also been known to fill a backpack up with a ton of books and use that as a source of added weight (like a kettlebell, etc). The big thing is to just be conscious of your form whenever/whatever you're lifting... When I first started, because I am a woman, I felt like I needed to prove to the guys that I could lift patients without their help.. But if a patient is larger, or even if their legs are just long so they stick off the stretcher some (this makes it harder to use good form) - I've accepted that there really doesn't need to be any shame in a team lift.

What kind of system are you in? I assumed by your post that you're in EMS.

I'm not sure about Colorado, but here in VA - the best way to gain experience is to volunteer.

As far as paid, usually new EMTs have better luck trying to get on with a transport company first to gain some experience. It's not nearly as exciting, but you gain a lot of knowledge about routing in your area, the facilities and you will do a LOT of lifting patients. It also helps you learn about documentation and gives you experience talking with patients and monitoring them en route. And to be honest, the transport companies here where I am actually pay better hourly rates than where I work. (This seems pretty backwards to me, but it is what it is)

As far as the female aspect -- my experience has been this: Be confident in your skills. (This requires actually knowing everything you need to know) I continually study even though I'm certified. I memorize my truck and know exactly where things are so I can find them quickly. I stay on top of restocking after calls. Being on point with this stuff will prove to whoever you're working with that you're not lazy and you can be very helpful. Also, recognizing that while you're knowledgable and you should be confident in that, you are new. There is so much that can be learned from more experienced people that they may not have taught you in class.

There is a big caution I will give you though: People have a tendency to become complacent over time and there are some things that you don't want to pick up from an older provider. Like not getting a 12-lead on a 40 year old patient who is only complaining of a headache or stomach problems. Or not always wearing gloves. Or assuming the call that came in for your frequent flier is just going to be BS like it always is. Or not staging off site for a domestic, psych or assault call. Sometimes dispatch will tell us to stage and other times they won't, but they will never be angry with us if we choose to stage and tell them that. There is a fine line between being confident and cocky on a truck. You have to find that line for yourself and not be afraid to look at a more experienced person and say "Hey, hold up, this lady is 35, she doesn't feel well and her systolic is over 150. Let's cover all our bases and get a 12-lead." If something goes wrong on the call, you need to have been on point because you and your partner will both be responsible and can be sued.

Anyways, that's a lot of rambling to simply say this: People may initially question your abilities, etc - but if you stay on top of your skills, try to be respectful when you decide to question someone and keep the truck/bags stocked and clean - those questions will resolve on their own.