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Breakfast!

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Meal planning

This past week I finished the first 4 week of my first clinical rotation! It was nerve racking to say the least. If you are starting your first day in something as stressful as anesthesia soon, look up the term “brownian motion”. One of my professors once told us that our first day in the OR would resemble Brownian motion, and he was right!

Nonetheless, it was a great first 4 weeks. Everyone was nice, and patient. Now I am at another equally as nice and low stress OR for the next 4 weeks. I get up early, am in the OR around 7 and will probably be leaving between 3-4 every day. Which is a lot better than the last 4 wks—- was in the OR at 6am and left anywhere between 3 and 8pm everyday! I was exhausted. Which probably led me to my unfortunate 3lb weight gain. So I have “recommitted” myself to a lifestyle change of healthy habits. 1st thing I did was pre-make my breakfasts for the week: egg white veggie muffins. They consist of egg whites, spinach peppers & onions. Bake for 15 minutes at 300 degrees. They were more watery that I would prefer—- so this next time I am not pre cooking the vegetables and baking them for 20 minutes at 350. I made enough to have 2 per day and I also drink a fruit and/or fruit veggie drink. If I was home, I would juice my own, but I am all about convenience right now. This morning I drank the green machine. So yummy! This is very convenient for me because I heat up the egg muffins for 45 seconds in the microwave and I’m good to go… I eat them and drink my juice in the car on the way to the hospital. Meal planning is the key!!

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On the Road....

So as I begin my new journey as a SRNA in the OR (ahh.. so so scary!!), I will be on the road A LOT. I will switch clinical sites every 8 weeks, and during those 8 weeks I will be at each site Monday through Thursday night, and then home on the weekends. The challenge of eating healthy and LIVING healthy is ON! I am well aware that the early mornings and potentially very long days in the OR will be exhausting, which is why I remind myself that weight loss is 80% nutrition, and 20% exercise. So I must be very disciplined in my diet in order to not only keep from gaining weight- but in hopes to lose weight. 

So as I settled into my first rotation site today, I brought along my workout DVDs (I am a HUGE Jillian Michaels fan), my yoga mat, and a pair of 8lb dumbbell. I did workout 1, from week 1-2 on Jillian's 90 day body revolution and then a 5 min ab workout. I love the 5 minute ab workout-- it consists of doing any ab workout you like, 30 reps, and switch, never taking a break. And once you get to minute 4, you do side planks and front plans for 20 seconds each. At the end of the 5 minutes, your abs definitely feel it! 

I went to the grocery store and tried to buy some healthy food. The options were minimal considering the town I am in is VERY VERY SMALL! Plus, I was unsure what kind of cooking utensils I would have available in my *apartment*... so I got some pre-made green juices (more expensive than juicing yourself, but I great alternative if you don't have the time!), fresh fruit, salad stuff, oatmeal, greek yogurt, and some lean cuisines. I know lean cuisines are NOT the best option, but again- I was unsure what my kitchen consisted of and what kind of energy I will have when I get home at night-- so for week 1, it will have to do.

Here's to hoping I get a good night's rest and have a good day tomorrow.. my FIRST day in the OR!

[jrp14-blog]

"Your not a dog--- so don't reward yourself with treats!"

So I finished up finals the other day... And it feels so good! I start clinicals next week, and even though I am scared to death to go into the OR, I am ready for some hands on experience. So now that the endless hours of studying are on a few day halt-- my plan for these few days are to start eating healthy again and start working out! Problem: I am out of town. But I am trying to make healthy decisions. Hard part is: most people think they should eat whatever they want because "they deserve it"... I once read and Ecard that said something like "your not a dog, don't reward yourself with food." So true! So yesterday, I went for a 4.5 mile jog/walk (mostly walk) and just really tried to enjoy it and the surroundings rather than think of it as working out. And of course eating out is hard, but I am trying to choose the healthier options. Went shopping yesterday... And rewarded myself to some cute clothes. But let me tell you... Nothing is more of a motivation than to go summer clothes shopping when you've not been working out--- help!!!! LOL It's a new day.

[jrp14-blog]

Change of pace

So I am new to blogging. Don’t know if anyone will ever follow me or not. When I first started I did not know what I was going to write about. I had tried to find some people going through what I’m currently going through—- CRNA school… But never did. So I thought I would be “that blog”. I did find a lot of “healthy” and “fit” blogs that I enjoy to read—- but the problem is, I do not have the time to cook/workout like most of these people! I know all of the sayings.. “You have to MAKE time for yourself.”…”There are 24 hours in a day, you can always use 1/2 an hour to run”…”you’ve gotta make time for yourself”… Bla bla bla. And don’t get me wrong— that’s true! But I honestly don’t even have time to make a smoothie some mornings. So I have decided, I am not only going to blog about my intense journey as a SRNA— but I am also going to blog about my attempt to attain and maintain a healthier lifestyle while doing so. So keep tuned!

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Downtime

I feel like this is the first time I have been able to breathe all week. It has been a busy few days... And my body already feels it. I am always so upset with myself for not at least eating healthier during exams. I will start again tomorrow I suppose. Tonight I am going to finish drinking my kava tea, and hopefully go to bed and wake up refreshed and ready to get at it in the am.

[jrp14-blog]

Day 1 of Final Exams complete

Finished my first final exam of the semester today and did better than expected. Finished the class with a B+, but honestly, I don’t care if I finish every single class with the minimum requirement of 82.5!!! (83 really—- but they have to round up)

Terrible things about finals: 1) lack of sleep 2) insomnia when you do want to sleep 3) immense fear to the point where a constant stomach ache is the norm 4) not only NOT working out—- but gaining in 2 weeks what it took you 2 months prior to lose. 5) constant carb and sugar cravings. Which leads to previous point 4. 6) being very “short” with your boyfriend, classmates, family. Really whoever you come into contact with.

Things finals week makes me realize: 1) I did not go into this profession “for the money”… But by God- after this pain and misery I want the money! 2) what do people do all day that don’t have a job and their kids are in school and they have a house cleaner? Yeah— they are out there. Nice people. But really— what DO they do?? 3) I don’t feel that all of my teachers are really here to help me succeed. In fact, I think some want to be a thorn in your side— just because they think it’s just part of crna school. 4) I think some of my teachers should be required to take their own exam(s) without the answer key in front of them! Haha would love to see that. 5) I pay a lot of money for a degree that is largely self taught. Until I get into the OR that is… Then I will be hanging on for dear life. 6) It bugs the shit out of me when I hear people try to compare their degree in difficulty level to mine. Bottom line— if you can work, see your friends (outside of school) more than 2 times a month, take more than 2 days off a month from studying, get an average 7 hours of night sleeping #8230; And here’s the kicker: can watch 3-5 TV shows a week… IT’S NOT THAT DIFFICULT!!! Now am I saying you don’t work hard? No. But it’s college/grad school. Your gonna have to sacrifice a time or two for a degree. Enough of my venting….

[kerry-fit]

if you are a fitblr who is currently in college, please reblog so we can all follow each other!!

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I am in graduate school... If that still counts :)

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Finals Round 2

As I lay in bed before my 2nd round of finals in anesthesia school begins, I cannot sleep of course. I set my alarm and count down to the minutes of how much sleep I will be able to get, contemplating on what I need to look over while getting ready in the morning, and already stressing about whether or not I have time to make instant oatmeal or just grab a juice instead. I am so mentally, physically, and emotionally tired... But I cannot go to sleep. I had been warned how difficult this program would be, but the truth is--- it is impossible to warn someone on the difficulty of anesthesia school. The most annoying thing: people trying to be supportive who really have no freaking clue what I'm going through.