Practicing for Med School

I started the journey toward medical school approximately two years ago, a third re-careering after bachelors degree, masters degree, YMCA & youth work and working in managment consulting and training.

I started the journey kicking and screaming, incredulous that in my late thirties I would start such an endeavor that would inevitably take me 10 years to complete. That being said I have found my calling. That also being said, I'm not 20 years old anymore, nor can I stay up all night and eat poorly and still make it out the other end intact (with the requisite good grades!)

So about a year ago I started practicing for being a medical student. I want to actively understand how to help myself succeed under circumstances of increased stress, decreased sleep and questionable nutrition. In fact those three things are what I believe plague most adults in America and impact our ability to maintain health, maintain relationships, maintain our very souls and spirit.

Three things I am practicing and experimenting with in the hopes that these habits will support me and contribute to my success in medical school include:

1. doing my best with the time and resources I have and not giving a rat's behind about the rest
2. working out in 10 to 20 minutes chunks, and 
3. my new, most recent favorite bulletproof coffee!

Not giving a rat's behind...
As a perfectionist I have a hard time with this one. But, as a doc in the emergency room where I work recently told me, "what do they call doctors to get C's in med school? .... Doctor."  I will make it to the other end, I will become a doctor, regardless of how much stress and anxiety I put myself through. That is just a fact.

So what do I want to learn along the way? How to be more gentle with myself. How to give myself a break. How to maybe do a little more planning on the front end, so I'm not scrambling on the back end. How to do the best with the time and resources I have and not give a f*** about the rest. So far I have fallen on my face quite a few times with this one. I have also found that I know more than I think I know regarding exams, despite potential deficits studying, because I show up to class and actively learn. I can do what I can do and not give a hoot about the rest. I got a lower score than I hoped on my MCAT...but I'm still going to apply to medical school this summer. This one actually ties into my spiritual and faith journey as well. Believing in God, that he has my best interest in mind and knows my heart, even before I do. I don't have to try so mightily to strong arm my way in or through things. Because I'm covered.

Working out in chunks
I trained for and ran my first half marathon Nov 2013. It took a LOT of time and commitment to properly train. Too much time.  Time I feel I no longer have the luxury of, and time that I definitely won't have the luxury of once I'm in medical school. Looking for ways to move my body, achieve results of staying fit and not breaking the time bank have been key in practicing for medical school. I found the CT-50 series of videos a few months ago, and I am loving it. 9-20 minute videos that use weights and various exercises to challenge my whole body. I love it!  AND there are five levels, with a challenge workout at the end of each level. This allows me to compete with myself (did I get more than 400 reps?) as well as see my improvement. I can also go back and repeat and entire level.

Bulletproof coffee
So this guy, Dave, of Bulletproof has all kinds of products, which I have not tested. I just started making my bulletproof coffee with a double espresso (that I pull from my own machine), and use a hand blender to blend in 1 tsp of ghee and 1 tsp of coconut oil. The result? Frothy, amazing goodness (and I don't even like cream in my coffee!). The effects? a beautiful, clear alertness, with no crash and no adrenaline edge. Check out Dave's recipe for bulletproof coffee here.

Here's hoping my practice pays off...  #Practicingformedschool