HELP for a Paraeducator and Intermittent Faster

mytyglotz

** I want to preface this with my sincere apologies for not being concise. I know I have given you all a lot to read. Thank you for the time and guidance you have to offer. **

Hello!!

Today was my second day as a paraeducator and lunch/recess hour aide. This is my first time doing a job like this (and one of my first paid jobs ever), and, although I know it will take a lot of learning and "getting the hang of it", I must say that I am already feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm having a tough time figuring out how to adjust my schedule so I can fulfill (if not exceed) my duties at the school, but at the same time care for myself.

This is a part-time position (as I am still in school myself!), but I can already feel my energy draining.

I work from 9:30 to 2:00. Then I come home. I have unintentionally practiced a form of intermittent fasting for a few years now (and I want to stick to that routine, as it is best for my digestion and my mind), and, up until today, I have been either going for a 3- to 4- mile walk every morning, or completing an at-least-30-minute exercise workout at home. Physical activity is VITAL to me, and one of my anxieties is that I'm not going to be able to get that same amount of activity with this new job. I'm afraid that if I exercise in the morning, I'll be even more exhausted earlier (I need to have PLENTY of energy for these children! - I don't want to pass out or anything awful like that). And by the time I get home, I'm tired - and it's close to the time I usually end up finishing my food intake for the day. But, I am very sensitive to my eating window, so I don't want to disturb my eating schedule either (so, rather than having breakfast and a lunch like most people do, I don't eat a larger meal until the afternoon - which is when I get home from my day job now).

The best solution (if it is one at all) I can think of is to work out in the MORNING, before work, and bring LOW-calorie snacks with me (that will only take up a very small fraction of my daily calorie needs, as I'll be eating at home and don't want to surpass my caloric needs and sabotage fat loss/maintenance), along with PLENTY of water with added electrolytes to have on hand just in case I think I need something before I return home. The other issues are that my lunch break is not until the time I get off - 2:00, which is when I go home anyway - and I cannot have certain traditional "snack items" (food sensitivities).

So, I what I'm trying to get at is that I sure need a lot of advice for not only lifestyle accommodations (i.e. working out, meal prep, etcetera), but also any pointers on how to manage a bunch of high-energy children and make sure everyone is happy!

I'm very sorry to ramble on. I just am feeling a bit discouraged and wanted to reach out for some support.

Anyway, thank you again. I pray you all are thriving. (: