irony of the term "health professional"

I definitely like to think I'm a health professional and a sparkly, shiny do-everything-right-er.  I also like it when people think that.  The problem is, I don't feel like the full "health professional" because it's hard to when you sleep 4.5 hours a night 6 nights a week, and accept calories in any form just to keep you passing out or from making bad management decisions.

Medical training is so fast paced that it's really easy to not eat, or to eat unhealthy.  I admit to having had to eat a handful of peanuts because I didn't have time during the day to actually sit down and have a meal, and I've also done things like starting a bag of chips once just to keep me from feeling terrible until lunch.  They were really unhealthy chips as well, never again.

 I'm starting to take better care of myself and it's amazing how much a proactive attitude can change things.  I would drink probably 500mL of water in the morning and then not drink another 200-500mL until lunch time, then not have anything to drink until I came back home.  I've changed that by carrying a water bottle with me, and grabbing another water bottle at lunch lecture.  The same goes for food: I carry a Clif bar on me at all times and have back-up Clif bars in case I go too long without eating.

This makes it sound like I'm some kind of post-apocalyptic scavenger/survivalist, and it's actually pretty similar, sadly.

I've noticed an improvement in my daily well-being.  During long, busy days I do feel like all my blood pressure is in my feet and that my stomach is autodigesting, but bringing water and snacks with me has helped.  The only thing is that you really miss a great quality meal that is amazing in taste as well as the time to just sit down and talk with your friends and family.

I'm going to try my best to be a real "health professional" and not some kind of calorie-scavenger who readily accepts that soft drink for the sole reason of not getting neuroglycopenic and passing out in the middle of a busy hallway.

We can all make little changes that have profound effects on our work day, you just gotta commit to it.  It's also easier to do thank you think: just pack a container with fruit for the morning, or like me, make a bunch of Belgian waffles that you can have for breakfast so you at least eat something.  I also aim to drink about 1L of water before I head out to the hospital in the morning, because sometimes you get so caught up with responsibilities you don't have time to just grab a cup of water.

Anyway, good luck and do your best to make your medical training a positive experience.