How do folks find time to eat?!?!?

algebravoodoo

I am a public school teacher, so snacking throughout the day is simply not an option. I get something in the morning before I leave the house, but I am on the road by 6 AM. My planning period is not until 5th, around 12:30, so I am ready to chew on the furniture by then, but usually must take care of work stuff at this time so no eating then either. After school I usually have students at my door looking for tutoring until 4 or 5 PM. By the time I get home, it is quite possible that I have not consumed a single calorie since that morning. Does anyone else have as nutty a schedule as this?

Forensic

Can you bring a protein shake or something in a thermos to sip on throughout the day? Most of my teachers brought something to drink, might as well get some intake from it.

mxmandani

I rely on protein bars! I can eat em in a few minutes

sleepytexan

wow that is awful! They don't give you a lunch? Can't you at least munch part of clif bar during class changes, take a few bites from a sandwich during planning period? Don't the kids have to go to specials at some point? You have to think of yourself as a cyclist and eat in quick instants then!

Public school teachers here in CA have it rough, I know, they have to eat with the kids and only get 20 minutes -- but my best advice is pack easy-to-eat, high-nutrient snacks at least like Clif or Lara bars, --something you can eat while standing or walking.

sorry it is so hard!

blessings.

Mindful_Trent

Definitely make sure you eat a good, hearty breafast. Might require you to wake up a little earlier - but is worth it!

You might consider snacks that are really easy to eat quickly, in between activities/classes/etc. Things like string cheese, Dried Fruit, Nuts, etc. These can be pulled out and eaten quickly without much fuss or mess, and will help you between breakfast and lunch.

Same with food for lunch - make no-fuss lunches like sandwiches or single-dish meals, wraps, etc. It comes down to simply forcing yourself to make a little bit of time to eat during your planning period. Not saying you should have a full-out feast, but surely you can spare five minutes to scarf down a sandwich (or whatever easy-to-eat-food-of-choice is)?

Smart food choices and making new habits make all the difference.

pocomama

I get horrible headaches when I dont eat, so in your situation I would have to pack a lunch at least and keep it at my desk. I would pack things like oranges, bananas, yogurts, grapes, etc. Sometimes I look at my food diary and it looks like all I ever do is eat, lol. I eat way more now than I ever did when I was heavier.

hollyc32

I'm a public school teacher, also. I am on the road by 6:30 in the morning. There is always time to eat. I am working while I eat lunch, but I make the time for it. I eat breakfast in the morning and then have a snack once I get to school. I also have a snack after school. I have snacked standing outside my room during passing periods when the students are coming in. I am a health teacher, so I can always be a good example. As far as the tutoring goes, just bring some extra snacks for after school. I'm sure the kids would enjoy eating one with you. We have a "homework helpers" tutoring group after school and the school provides their snack because they understand that it's just as important to the student's concentration as the one on one help. I pack my lunches and snacks for the week on Sunday evening, so I can just grab and go when I am running around crazy in the morning. Although I am currently on the weight loss trend right now, I wasn't always. No wonder you are so stressed. Your poor body isn't getting any nutrients. You will feel 100% better when you start eating. (I used to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and banana every morning in the car on the way to work when my youngest was a baby.)

algebravoodoo

I have tried the protein/clif bar between classes, sipping a protein shake throughout the day. While I did not get directly reprimanded, the entire faculty got a stern lecture about "professionalism" with an emphasis on not eating and drinking in front of the students. (I'm thinking about just how unprofessional it might appear for me to pass out from not eating with a roomful of students.) I have packed lunches only to have to toss them when a) busted for having food in my room or b) found it days later because I forgot to eat it because I was doing everything else.
Lunch break? What's that? We have to literally stand guard to make sure no fights break out.
I spent my planning period today sorting calculators for state testing, weeding out the ones that were ready for disposal. To do this, I spent most of the hour running back and forth between my room and the main office (can i count that as cardio? LOL) I had already stayed until almost 6 the previous evening performing triage *and exorcism rites* on the machines after tutoring
At almost 5, I finally sent the kids that had shown up looking for homework help home. By the time I got home, starving is too mild a word.

You know, to me it only makes sense that a couple of bites between classes would be the best solution. I guess I was just wondering if anyone else felt pinned in a corner like that. I teach in a poverty district, so basically, I and a pitiful few of others ARE the homework helpers after school. There is never enough time or money to take care of all the needs and too many others are not willing to give unless there is something in it for them. I like the idea of bringing a few snacks for the tutoring kids. They certainly will not turn down food, since a few of them likely won't get to eat again until they get to school the next morning. I haven't done it before because we aren't supposed to let the kids eat in the room, but maybe if they cleaned up and took out the trash afterwards...

Something has got to give. I am all out of give trying to follow the rules. I already get up at 3:45 so I can get in some exercise and eat before leaving the house. i refuse to shortchange my students, but I am thinking the admin has gone too far and y'all are right. Let them reprimand me for eating.

algebravoodoo

To Pocoma...
I won't get a headache, stomach ache, dizzy, nothing until suddenly I hit a wall, usually around hour number 12 with no food.

DannyMussels

There's always time, and a way, like most suggested above.

When I'm away for 8-10hours I'll pack about 1000 calories into a shake and sip that throughout the day. If that's not an option for you, intermittent fasting may be an option. Something like the warrior diet where you literally eat all your meals at once, then fast for 16+hours. It's crazy but it's an option.



Or blend it all and you could literally drink 10,000 calories in 1 minute.

Are you not allowed to drink coffee or water? I'd think that's reasonable, which is why I can't see why a mug with a protein shake or smoothie would be frowned upon, as its no different.

You type lots, and maybe your problem is the job, and not the fact that you have no time to eat?

Your'e too stressed......:S

Rilke

While I did not get directly reprimanded, the entire faculty got a stern lecture about "professionalism" with an emphasis on not eating and drinking in front of the students. (I'm thinking about just how unprofessional it might appear for me to pass out from not eating with a roomful of students.) I have packed lunches only to have to toss them when a) busted for having food in my room

Both of these are pretty ridiculous. I am a public school teacher as well. I keep trek mix and fruit bars in my desk for my planning period and frequently eat a quick clementine or handful of berries between classes. I also get a lunch period, but if I didn't, these habits would hold me over.

Given, the school at which I work is relatively mild (for public school).

I like the idea of bringing healthy snacks for your after school kids, especially if they don't get enough food/nutrients at home.

Acg67

I am a public school teacher, so snacking throughout the day is simply not an option. I get something in the morning before I leave the house, but I am on the road by 6 AM. My planning period is not until 5th, around 12:30, so I am ready to chew on the furniture by then, but usually must take care of work stuff at this time so no eating then either. After school I usually have students at my door looking for tutoring until 4 or 5 PM. By the time I get home, it is quite possible that I have not consumed a single calorie since that morning. Does anyone else have as nutty a schedule as this?

i usually fast for 16hrs every single day, really it won't hinder your weight loss if you eat all your cals in 1 huge meal or 6 little meals, more personal preference and convenience

algebravoodoo

Okay, acg dude, I am ignoring you because you sound toxic and I have enough toxic crap in my life. To the rest of you, thanks for talking sense into me! I found some smaller protien bars that could be kept concealed in a closed hand and am happily munching a bite or two between classes. I think last week was just one of those weeks where the world seemed to be ganging up on me.