5 Weight Loss Tips from a Registered Nurse
Three years ago I was overweight and had no career. Obviously, those unavoidable facts caused me to become depressed, and the trifecta of low confidence, unemployment, and constantly feeling like a failure began to take its toll on me. One day a friend recommended that I look into getting a masters in nursing online and from that simple conversation my entire life changed.
The challenge of maintaining my own schooling schedule instilled a sense of discipline and focus that motivated me to do other things with my free time. Before I knew it I was on a diet regimen and was holding my health with higher regard than ever before. Flash forward to today and I’m about 100 pounds lighter, significantly wealthier, and much happier. Here are some of the weight loss techniques I learned in the process of becoming a nurse:
1. Drink Water throughout the Day
While studying for my MSN online I was regularly reminded of the importance of keeping patients adequately hydrated, so it was a wakeup call to me that I wasn’t getting enough fluids. I started by correcting that part of my diet first and everything else came naturally after. When you’re properly hydrated you tend to think clearer and make better lifestyle decisions.
2. Eat a High Fiber Diet
Nurses also learn a lot about nutrition. Many symptoms related to indigestion and bowel problems are treated partly by adding more fiber to the patient’s diet. I took this advice in my own diet and within days I could tell that my bowel movements were more regular and I had more energy after meals. Soluble fibers pass through the digestive system without being absorbed and therefore act as a sponge, scrubbing and cleaning the walls of the intestines and colon by capturing and purging toxins and other digestive “gunk.”
3. Start an Exercise Regimen
I didn’t need nursing school to tell me that exercising was good for me – it was something that I was just inclined to do after taking the two steps above. However, I did eventually learn how vital physical activity is for facilitating recovery and healing from pretty much every disease, and with that knowledge I was far more reluctant to return to a predominantly sedentary lifestyle.
4. Decrease Meal Sizes
Larger meals are more difficult for the body to digest and therefore place a strain on the metabolism. Most people are eating excessively large meal sizes and subsequently are getting a caloric intake that overwhelms their metabolism’s ability to burn fat. I switched to making small meals and just snacked frequently throughout the day as hunger dictated.
5. Hot and Cold Therapy
While studying for my nursing degree I was also introduced to various types of thermal therapy, like applying hot compresses and ice to treat certain injuries and ailments. I implemented the techniques I learned in my weight loss regimen after discovering that saunas and hot/cold baths boost the metabolism. A hot bath will increase your core temperature and cause sweating, thereby leading to fat burning. Following up with a cold bath will cause you to burn calories in order to maintain sufficient body heat.
I found it easy to keep my diet and lifestyle changes going along with my studies because it was all part of a larger schedule.
