1. History with weight loss:
2. History with Calorie Count:
3. Reason for joining this group:
4. Some interesting details about yourself, such as your job, your family, your pets and your interests:
And now just go ahead and make that first post!
hey there.
i weighed 180 pounds in 2004... got down to 105 and currently am 126. i am 5'8"...
i just joined calorie count last night at work.. i love being able to put my calories on here and add them up... then get a grade...
i want to get back down to 105, was my happiest there...
i am an RN in an ER, which is why i started this group. want to hear from other nurses about what they bring to work, how they keep from eating too much at work, when busy and grabbing on the go.. or slow and eating just cause it's there.
it seems everywhere i work my coworkers bring the most unhealthiest stuff to work, and the staff is wrought with a weight battle at all times...
needless to say i usually get teased about my eating habits, and have found myself giving in more often than i like.
going to post some older pics from when i was bigger and then some to now, but i am sleepy from nightshift!
hope to hear from some folk!
Hi,
My name is Kasondra and I am an RN working in rehab. I just started on this website and am finding a lot of great information on here. Nice to know that there are other nurses that are dealing with the same stuff I deal with.
Never in my life will I understand why hospitals provide such JUNK for us to eat while we are there. I work with some rather large folks and they tease me too because of the things that I bring to work. I have been back in the hospital setting for about 7 months now and have gained 15 lbs. About a month ago, I banned myself from the vending machines no matter how tired I was. I started bringing what looked like my entire refrigerator to work. My bag is full of fruit and a can of lite progresso soup for each day. I work as a house supervisor on the day shift and feel like I run the entire time I am there. But the scale doesn't lie...I have gained 15 lbs. I have lost 2 lbs this week, so I am on the way back down. But, I have to say, there has to be a strong connection between stress and weight gain. We are short staffed everyday lately and I seriously feel like it zaps all of my energy, even on my off days.
Do you have any suggestions? Anything working good for you? Thanks!
i so know what you mean... i brought like six ziplock bags of cucumbers, sliced red bell peppers, celery...apples.. just so i would always have something to put in my mouth besides banana bread, sugar cookies....etc... i have gained 20 pounds since starting night shift and am pissed about it! lol. even though we don't sit on our butts at work we never get enough running around to burn those kinds of calories...
seems there is always a holiday... we have had thanksgiving and christmas.. and now here comes valentines day!
i have been trying to cut back on coffee and drink more green tea, black tea... any tea.. lol. .. and try to eat something high in complex carbs and protein before work. like right now i am eating a 2 egg white omelette, with black beans and low fat shredded cheese... the calories in that are 34 + 100 + 45.. what is that 177? and it is filling for a while.
i want to know what everyone else does to and what they are working on... enlighten me! lol. 
I have been buying soups. Muir Glen makes a soup that is really awesome, and doesn't feel like boring soup. I bought the southwestern black bean for tomorrow. It is organic and is full of fiber, not too much sugar or sodium. So, we will see...hopefully it will keep me feeling full.
I am also listening to a book on tape on my way to and from work everyday. It's called "Skinny Bitch"....ever heard of it? Man, it is a taste of reality. Have you read it? I swear, it will make you see what you are eating with totally different eyes....
It is another day in rehab paradise for me tomorrow. Hopefully no vendors will bring cookies or candies....the struggle everyday.
i just ordered Skinny Bitch from Amazon day before yesterday! ha.
i hear it is really good. i already eat little meat, but i grew up in a steak and potato and mac and cheese house.. (hamburger helper... sloppy joe.. spam.. well you get the pic... ) !!!
i can't wait to read it...
tonight this is what i brought to work to eat... lol
tuna fish mixed with black beans, pumpkin seeds, a tea mustard, and sundried tomatos... oh, and some kalamata olives mixed in. i love pickled stuff. sigh so much sodium!
That book is awesome for the first few chapters...then it begins to endorse a strict vegan lifestyle as the way to get "skinny". I liked the book, but I don't think I could ever go vegan.
Your work food sounds so good! Yesterday, I took fresh blueberries and blackberries, some homemade lasagne (cooked skinny of course), a banana, a small whole wheat bagel, and a plum. Those olives sound so good...may try that Monday.
Hope your week is going well...I am trying to be good and save some calories for the Superbowl party at my house tomorrow. I bought some Michelob Ultra for me...Dos XX's for my husband. I am NOT going to blow it now, I lost 2 lbs this week!
totally cheated at the superbowl... i had chili...
don't think i could go totally vegan either. my friend ali and her boyfriend joe are having a vegan mexican food night.... i am interested in this... kinda... ha. our friend is bringing cheese.... (rebelious girl!)
i have ran out of groceries during my work week and that is a recipe for disaster... going shopping today, and going to start a yoga class... kinda nervous... lol.
I had too much wine on Superbowl night, and ate pizza...ugh! Numbed senses, not good.
I hated yoga in a class forum. I really like it at home, but not in class. People get so "relaxed" that they forget that it isn't polite to fart out loud in public. It messed up my meditation time to hear the booty bagpipes going off. The Biggest Loser has a really good yoga dvd that I do at home.
I am going grocery shopping today. I have been reduced to eating a lot of sandwiches the past several days. NO weight gain so far....Hope all is going well for you.
Hello,
My name is Marvel. I am 51 years old and over the last 4 years my weight has slowly crawled up to a whopping 154.5 lbs!! I am so pissed at myself I could scream, but instead I am gonna get a handle on this thing.
I joined this group because I, too, am a nurse--graduated from a diploma program in 1979. Got a BS in 1995, BSN in 2006, and am in a MS program now. I work 3 12-hour shifts (Fri, Sat, & Sun) as the WOC nurse at a large city hospital. I am happily married to a great guy and April with be our 26th year anniversary. My oldest daughter graduated college in December and teaches high school; my youngest daughter graduates from college in May. My life should be fabulous, but I am fat--burned out--and generally unhappy!
Normally, I enjoy my life and nursing. However, the isolation from school and work is starting to eat at me. I like the 12-hour shifts and there are advantages to being out of the weekday spotlight, but my workload is twice everyone elses. I eat alone at work a lot, since my daughter graduated college (she worked at the same hospital but had to quit to re-locate). Graduate school is all on-line for the present and next semesters. Starting in the fall, I will be active with clinicals, but for now, I spend time alone.
I eat OK all day, but at night I lose control. I need to get on track with like minds who understand the stress of work. I, also, need accountability. Would anyone be interested in exercise or weigh-in challenges?
OK, my pissing and moaning officially stops now!! I acknowledge that I am working the way I do to help me accomplish my education goals so I can go and do something else. I started back to school in 2003 with the goal to teach the next generation. I know I have a lot to offer and I am good with people (even students). So, it is suck it up time--the end is in sight.
And my weight goal: 132 lbs by December.
Thanks for listening. This is the first time I have really said outloud what's going on inside my head with work, school, and my personal frustration.
M
first let me say what wonderful things you have going on for yourself! i am dying to go back to school, (i got my BSN in 2007... ), but sallie mae is breathing down my neck! ha. wound care has always been one of my favorite things and i worked on a burn unit for two years as a student... ( i now work ER)... but i really miss my burn work.
i do understand the isolation that school and work can put you through... teaching will be wonderful and i am hoping one day to do the same. i had some nursing teachers that were the culling kind and i would like to be a softer place to land while educating approp.
i found that i had to make sure that i made time out just for socializing when i was in school. if i didn't, i shut down and was so unhappy that it changed all aspects of my life.
i just bought the 30 day shred with jillian, but i haven't started it yet. i am making a large effort to make sure i bring food to work... i am 5'8" and 126 pounds. i had been almost 200 and my lowest weight was 105. i was happiest at 105...
i am all about some weight in challenges... i was looking at scales the other day and have only been weighing in at work...
you can reach your goal ~ you are obviously very motivated! i'll get a scale and we can start a weigh in topic if you want...
hang in there! i have to go to work myself! lol. (send no more sore throats or rsv my way please!!!! )
Hi guys, got room for another one? My name is Kathy, i am an RN- work for a small rural hospital in ND. I started CC March 2008. On Valentines day last year i decided enough was enough - i weighed in at 315- Yuck. Hard to move when you're that big! Well, Feb 14th is less than a week away, and when i weighed in tonight at work, it said 249 lbs. Woo Hoo, under 250! 66 lbs lost this year. Only another 74 to go...ugh.
My plans- Big goal, is to get to an adequate weight so that i can be a flight nurse. I went to college originally for aviation (Aeronautical studies to be a helicopter pilot) but it was waaaay to expensive for a kid with 2 parents who were teachers. So i changed course. But i really love to fly- i'll do it eventually -one way or another!
I'm married, have 3 kids, lots of pets, and work nights...can you say CHAOS?! The thing that has worked for me is packing lots of healthy stuff to snack on at work- eating some type of protein each time really helped my metabolism. Before i would eat just to eat, now i eat when i am hungry. So, an apple with a cheese stick. Oatmeal with a side of cottage cheese. Salad with tuna or turkey. Oh and i cannot stand most of the gross fat free salad dressing- i literally think i have tried them all. I found fat free dill dip at walmart, 35 calories for 2 tbsp. Awesome...ok i 'll quit rambling now. Talk to ya soon!
Thanks for the pep talk and the focus on what I am doing that is right and good. You are right--the drive that it takes to work and go to school can also drive diet, exercise, etc. I felt so much better after posting--it was really cathartic for me to identify the demon and stare it right in the face! So, I got back on track yesterday. I committed to work on homework until noon, log my meals, and go work out from 12-1.
Today WILL be a good day!
m
i work nights too... we didn't get to sit down once last night! but i did pretty good...
carrots and a red bell pepper... i was able to grab a togo pack of tuna mixed with sun dried tomatoes and dried garlic flakes with some mustard and an ezekial tortilla...
later in the morning i wavered and had some pretzels... sigh... crunch.
could have been worse i am sure... i also have those snack packs from south beach with nuts and some chocolate soy nuts, but i looked and they are 160 a pack which i suppose isn't terrible. sometimes i can't decide when my day begins... when i wake up for work.. when i get home?
congrats on the major weight loss! you will be a flight nurse before you know it!!
the same drive that got us through nursing school and gets us through work i know can get our goals going too. i didn't have time to count the amount of calories i had last night...
tonight i have boca burgers and some tuna, and those snack packs so i think i may be alright! lol. one more 12 hour shift left! i want to start the 30 day shred with jillian on thursday after my wed shift... it sucks to loose a day after working a night.
i need to write things down when we are so busy at least on a sheet of scrap paper!
last night was patient etoh overdose and chest pain buffet! at least when we are slammed i am movin'! ha.
everyday to write is helpful ~ it keeps me at least accountable on some level!
Hey kawnd11 (Kathy),
I am so impressed with all of your hard work and effort and the progress you have made. YOU GO GIRL!!!
T-
I too am an RN working nights in a small psychiatric hospital in Tulsa. I know how the peer pressure hits ya in the gut. My peers want to have pot luck on Thursdays and it always seems to be starchy and or fatty foods. I have met a new nurse about my age who is also working on her weight and it helps to have an ally. I recently quit smoking and at 5'3" am at an all-time high weight of 285.6#. YIKES! I need all the support anyone has to offer. I am willing to help anyone else who needs some encouragemnt also.I believe that we help ourselves most when we help others.
I'm glad you are joining us. As nurses we recognize the need for support groups. Know that I am here for you and vise versa.
Marvel
Mint-
How far did you get into "Skinny Bitch"? I just finished listening to it again on tape and still kind of think that the authors are CRAZY! I also priced out some of the foods listed in the last section of the book. I have a house full of kids and there is NO WAY I can afford to eat like that.
I am still working at this, but have just about decided that my body really likes being in the 150's. I am going to try more yoga at home and more repetitions with my weights. I am working out nearly everyday, and I think my muscles are just used to the same workout everyday. It is really frustrating. I am eating like a saint, and am still not really losing anything. I feel great though....what gives? I still think the stress at work is killing me....we are going through a mass exodus and a ton of new employees, that my boss thinks I need to orient. I had two orientees today...and had to leave them....got sent home with pink eye.
I am so glad more people are joining this group. You are ALL so interesting!
Original Post by kasondrarn:
Mint-
How far did you get into "Skinny Bitch"? I just finished listening to it again on tape and still kind of think that the authors are CRAZY! I also priced out some of the foods listed in the last section of the book. I have a house full of kids and there is NO WAY I can afford to eat like that.
I am still working at this, but have just about decided that my body really likes being in the 150's. I am going to try more yoga at home and more repetitions with my weights. I am working out nearly everyday, and I think my muscles are just used to the same workout everyday. It is really frustrating. I am eating like a saint, and am still not really losing anything. I feel great though....what gives? I still think the stress at work is killing me....we are going through a mass exodus and a ton of new employees, that my boss thinks I need to orient. I had two orientees today...and had to leave them....got sent home with pink eye.
I am so glad more people are joining this group. You are ALL so interesting!
hey ~ i haven't gotten skinny bitch in the mail! i just got off my 3rd night 12 hour and will check my mail today...
i will say that my friend is vegan and she says that you can pig out on vegan food because there is no animal fat. i just don't believe that.... that soy sausage stuff is like 270 calories a serving and it isn't a big serving... i can't help but think calories are calories are calories....? (don't know what they say about that in the book?) she is thin... but her other vegan friends are not (and i don't mean that mean, just in that subject context it doesn't all add up...)
it is so hard to feed a family and watch everything. i have found that somethings are sneaking high fructose corn syrup in stuff that i never knew... and i am a stickler for for sugar... like my hummus that says sugar free on the nutritional label has HFCS on the ingredients. i was pissed!
i totally pigged out at work last night... a bad trail mix... and let me tell you it was BAD.
i have been buying red bell peppers and mushrooms and cooking them together in the pan with tofu... this is good seasoned however you like it, and if you want some kind of noodle thing i add a healthy sauce and put over spaghetti squash and don't miss noodles....
i haven't started yoga yet... i bought the 30 pound shred by jillian and want to start it tomorrow after a yoga class. (i just got off work this morning and can't sleep... kinda loopy, bad time to exercise)....
SOO... i was able to buy a lot of stuff at wal-mart and then i went to the good earth store and bought 25 dollars worth of vegan no HFCS\sugar free stuff condiments... mayo, ranch dressing... knocks ranch and mayo both down to like 35 calories...
i did find out my vegan friend uses organic sugar... sugar is sugar is sugar... i don't care... vegan cupcakes are not fat free...
maybe your body is plateauing because of the same exercises? i have heard this can happen. do you go to the gym or do you do everything at home?
could be all your extra stress is keeping you from working as hard?
congrats on still eating like a saint despite your stress!
i am so glad to see other nurses on here too! our schedules and habits have such an effect on our lives i am grateful to hear about everyone else's coping skills and strategies! it is so helpful!
Original Post by aleset:
I too am an RN working nights in a small psychiatric hospital in Tulsa. I know how the peer pressure hits ya in the gut. My peers want to have pot luck on Thursdays and it always seems to be starchy and or fatty foods. I have met a new nurse about my age who is also working on her weight and it helps to have an ally. I recently quit smoking and at 5'3" am at an all-time high weight of 285.6#. YIKES! I need all the support anyone has to offer. I am willing to help anyone else who needs some encouragemnt also.I believe that we help ourselves most when we help others.
first congrats on the no smoking! that is SO hard. a girl brought a crockpot of crap to work night before last... (i hope i am not repeating myself here, i cannot remember)... it was a block of cheese from costco, a pound of turkey meat, (which does not counteract the cheese block...) two packages of egg noodles, corn, and tomato sauce. i am sure i clogged on artery looking at it.
i am all about some encouragement! you wouldn't believe the handfuls of evil trailmix i ate last night... i know trailmix... evil.. yes evil when filled with dried fruit, and chips of peanut butter, and white and dark chocolate with the occasional cashew and peanut thrown it. geez!
Original Post by kasondrarn:
Mint-
How far did you get into "Skinny Bitch"? I just finished listening to it again on tape and still kind of think that the authors are CRAZY! I also priced out some of the foods listed in the last section of the book. I have a house full of kids and there is NO WAY I can afford to eat like that.
I am still working at this, but have just about decided that my body really likes being in the 150's. I am going to try more yoga at home and more repetitions with my weights. I am working out nearly everyday, and I think my muscles are just used to the same workout everyday. It is really frustrating. I am eating like a saint, and am still not really losing anything. I feel great though....what gives? I still think the stress at work is killing me....we are going through a mass exodus and a ton of new employees, that my boss thinks I need to orient. I had two orientees today...and had to leave them....got sent home with pink eye.
I am so glad more people are joining this group. You are ALL so interesting!
hey hey... SOOOoooo...
I got my skinny bitch book in the other day.. lol.
I haven't gotten very far into it, i appreciate the fun they are trying to put into it but so far i haven't hit anything i kinda didn't already know... of course i am not even into the middle of it yet.
i haven't looked even at the food list in the back yet.. (maybe i am jumping ahead by writing back too soon with out reading??)
i am gradually getting away from cheese anyway, just because it is a fatty thing.. i have lost 2 pounds this week and plan on exercising today...
i know they say that you are supposed to eat at least 1200 calories a day.. so why do i feel like a heel if i am not under 1000? after everything i have read about metabolism and all that good stuff i am just hooked on the numbers and the sugar free and etc...
i have been buying more fruit... some kid with RSV in the ER sneezed all over me and gave me a cold... trying to fight it with oranges and blueberries.. i hate taking medicine!!
anyway... ok.. i am totally random this morning, i guess i am going to wal-mart.. woo hoo!
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