3 ways for nurses to lose weight right now

Yes, It’s that time of the year- the ‘resolutioners’ are in full effect. We see all the fancy commercials on TV toting their ‘new and improved’ secret to weight loss.

Whether it’s the latest and greatest workout program, or maybe it’s the world-renowned food item or diet product, or maybe it’s yet another piece of equipment that promises ‘maximum results in the shortest amount of time’, they ALL are snake-oil salesmen in disguise.

Don’t believe the hype my fellow nurses and fine readers. Don’t believe the hype. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

This garbage of taking the ‘easy road’ to weight loss success only trims your waistline by emptying your pockets… and making their bank accounts grow. All of this stuff you read about and see on TV commercials is all about the ‘sell’, nothing more, nothing less. The only guarantee their product has, is that it’s a guaranteed waste of money, and a guaranteed P. O. S. (pardon my language).

Great accomplishments require great effort. The road to weight loss and a slim waist line will require quite a bit of effort and discipline on your part.

So here are 3 things you can do right now to beat the ‘battle of the bulge’ that require no money!

1. Park your car as far away as possible in the parking lot at your place of employment.

Yep, this means you should dress appropriately for the weather. The farther you are away, the farther you have to walk. Walking requires energy expenditure. This in turn requires you to increase your activity. Increase activity = burning calories. And burning calories leads to losing weight. It’s simple. Walk more, work more, lose more.

2. Take the stairs wherever and whenever you can.

Yep, this ranks right up there with the walking from your car tip. Just imagine how many more calories you burn by walking up the stairs, instead of standing still in the elevator. Also – how long did that elevator ride take you? How long did you wait? You’d be burning extra calories, while saving yourself time.

3. Bring your meals to work – buy nothing at your place of employment to eat.

In fact, do your best to not have any money on your person when you are at work! This eliminates the possibility of purchasing something you really don’t need and is probably not good for you. Pre-plan and prepare your meals the night before, the day before, the week before your shift. Fruit, sandwiches, left over meals from home, granola bars, etc. ANYTHING is better than the food you would be buying. Think about all those times you get the ‘munchies’ later in your shift.(Yes, there are a few of you out there who actually stay health-conscious and only buy a salad – but is the salad the only thing you buy?)

Once again, I never said any of this would be easy! Any worthy goal required a lil extra sweat and effort on our part. Losing weight is never immediate, nor will the pounds just ‘melt’ off. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Take it one day at a time.
Best of luck!

P.S. I have not forgotten about my post : ‘Top 5 Reasons (Excuses) Why Nurses Are Unhealthy’. Stay tuned.