Are there any teachers out there?

13

Replies

  • WinningaBet
    WinningaBet Posts: 14
    I teach 5th and 6th grade literacy. I just joined this site a few days ago and have a question about the protein. It seems I go over the recommended levels every day (unless I am reading this wrong). I am not going overboard with protein (not anywhere near the amount I consumed when going to bootcamp). Anyone know why the levels are so low? Or am I missing something here?
  • serzmulz
    serzmulz Posts: 10
    Hi there,
    I am a teacher from New Zealand. I am new to this too and hope to lose 50 pounds by next feb!
  • rubyfayeellis
    rubyfayeellis Posts: 1 Member
    :wink: I am a principal at an elementary school. I truly love my career and am trying to stay healthy to keep up with all the demands of the job. I have recently joined my fitness pal. I lose weight and gain it back. I really would like any tips on keeping the weight off. Good luck with your fitness journey. :smile:
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    I teach 5th and 6th grade literacy. I just joined this site a few days ago and have a question about the protein. It seems I go over the recommended levels every day (unless I am reading this wrong). I am not going overboard with protein (not anywhere near the amount I consumed when going to bootcamp). Anyone know why the levels are so low? Or am I missing something here?

    I have been going over on the protein too. I am not stressing about it becasee I feel better with a bit higher protein count. However, I am curious too as to how they arrived at the number.
  • WinningaBet
    WinningaBet Posts: 14
    Someone just told me to change my settings. Go to goals and change them to custom. You can then change the numbers. I set my protein at about 10% of my body weight.
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    Thanks for the tip. I did not realize we had control over these numbers.
  • plzlbsbegone
    plzlbsbegone Posts: 233
    I am a teacher too! I actually find weight loss easier during the school year. My summers are booked solid with my two cookingn jobs, which tends to make me gain, as I have less time to plan. I always pack a lunch the night before school, or keep light soups on hand for the last minute lunch. I also hit the salad bar from time to time, but I bring my own dressing, hate to think of all the fat in the school dressings....I actually have time to cook healthy meals at night too, which is a plus! And, I usually plan to exercise right after I get home from school. It can be a great stress reliever!
  • lizzyc357
    lizzyc357 Posts: 22 Member
    I'm a special ed aide! I love to be friends with you on MFP!
  • WinningaBet
    WinningaBet Posts: 14
    @turkkm: I didn't realize it either. I went to a different strand which talked about this site and there is one guy who seems to know a lot about it. He answered me right away. Guess I have to spend some time getting to know this program! I will say that it is far easier than Weight Watchers online and FitDay, as far as logging food. Keeping a food and exercise journal is the only way I have been able to lose weight in the past. (one more incentive this time: I have a bet going that I can lose 30 pounds by Halloween. $150 on the line....)
  • brooke_young08
    brooke_young08 Posts: 70
    Also a teacher. I actually found that it's EASIER to stay on a structured eating plan during the school year. Just plan, plan, plan and prepare meals and snacks ahead of time. I will request you as a friend!
  • valpope330
    valpope330 Posts: 10
    Another teacher checking in from TX! I'm starting my 20th year next week, moving from middle school English to high school English. I just joined MFP this week. I REFUSE to buy new clothes that are a larger size than what I have, but I've gained about 30 pounds over the last 2 years while working on my M.Ed. I chalk that up to the stress of working, going to school, being a wife, and navigating through being the mother of a teenage girl. (One would think that I'd have that figured out after 19 years of dealing with adolscents... One would be mistaken.)

    Like several of you have already said, I find that it's easier to control what I eat during the school year, too. If I can get better about pre-planning and packing my food ahead of time, I think I'll be more successful this time around. I'm moving to a new school, so avoiding the lounge shouldn't be too big of a problem--I don't even know where it is! ;)

    Anyway, good luck to us all!
  • ruthechesney
    ruthechesney Posts: 34 Member
    Well I teach preschool, so not on the same level as you guys...but similar hours and schedule probably. I pack all of my foods on Sunday afternoon for the entire week. I pack lunches and snacks, and I try to only eat what's in my lunch box. I never go out to eat, or order food with coworkers on my breaks. If Ive got it packed, I have to eat it. So there is no question. I eat salads for lunch every work day. If you pack them correctly, they will last wonderfully all week in the fridge. Grab and go. Super easy and healthy. I rarely take dinner leftovers for lunch....I eat healthy dinner leftovers for a healthy dinner the NEXT night.

    I do this too! I buy spinach and other salad ingredients and make them on Sunday, take it all to work on Monday...and include a lean protein in my lunch, either tuna, low fat cottage cheese, and greek yogurt. I also make sure I have a snack that I can woof down(literally, in the morning, so I am not ravenous when lunch rolls around, and one for as soon as the school day is over...when the chocolate cravings start to kick in. I think I'm going to try the Atkins advantage protein bars....chocolate and less sugar). I workout early in the morning (5am) so I have no excuse that I am too tired when I get home. I know how it is when school starts. My running buddy and I just had this conversation this morning about holding each other accountable through the first few weeks of school. Ladies we can do this. Always remember, if we fail to plan, we plan to fail!!

    Anyone feel free to add me. I teach 8th grade Special Education:)....a healthy lifestyle as a teacher can be done!
  • zozie73
    zozie73 Posts: 26
    Hi
    I'm a secondary school science teacher (11-16 yr olds) and although I love the job I do find that after a stressful day that I pour myself a glass of wine and then eat......... I start at a new school closer to home in Jan and would love to be much lighter and fitter then than I am now.
    I joined MFP a couple of days ago in a very serious attempt to get my eating and my weight back under control
  • welshwoofer
    welshwoofer Posts: 56 Member
    Hi
    I'm a secondary school science teacher (11-16 yr olds) and although I love the job I do find that after a stressful day that I pour myself a glass of wine and then eat......... I start at a new school closer to home in Jan and would love to be much lighter and fitter then than I am now.
    I joined MFP a couple of days ago in a very serious attempt to get my eating and my weight back under control

    Hi Zozie,
    I'm a UK science teacher too (11-18)!
    I know exactly what you mean about long hard days.

    I put on a stone over the last year and a half and have managed to shift about 12 lbs so far (proper weigh in day tomorrow) and hope to get to the stone before I go back to school on Sept 3rd ( about 3 more weeks).
    I been doing tons of exercise ( 2x 1 mile swims, 3 runs now up to 5Kish a week) and trying to stick to 1200 cals a day.

    Ideally I'd like to get to 140lbs (10 stone) and see how I feel then. So about 6-7 lbs to go.
    The big challenge will be keeping it off or losing a little bit more,

    Good luck to all the very hardworking teachers!
  • maureenec
    maureenec Posts: 34 Member
    I am a junior high English and social studies. As the school year approaches, I worry about:
    1. The snacks in the lounge - our parents continue to give us donuts, breads, cookies, etc. Ugh.
    2. Dinners for my family. Will I be too tired to cook a healthy meal?
    3. Workout time. I do so much better working out in the morning, but I have to be at school so early that I need to switch to afternoon workouts. I managed to continue working out 6 days a week last year, but I'm still nervous.

    I would like some teacher friends too, so please feel free to add me.
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    A lot of us have posted "teacher's lounge" concerns. We have to put our heads together to solve this one. Can't we just donate the stuff? lol

    I am not a morning person, so I can't exercise much in the morning. When I get home I just can't motivate to do it after being on my feet all day with first graders. Any suggestions?
  • blackjax007
    blackjax007 Posts: 52
    I've done middle school special ed (math) for the last 9 years. I've switched to sixth grade social studies this year. Looking forward to the new year which starts next Friday. I'd like some more teacher mfp friends, so feel free to add me. Thanks!
  • valpope330
    valpope330 Posts: 10
    turkkm~I'm secondary, not elementary, so I might be completely offtrack with this suggestion, but... When your kiddos go to specials, can you do laps around the building, walk the halls, anything like that? My school did a walking competition a couple of years ago, and several of us would get our steps in by walking during our conference periods.
  • WinningaBet
    WinningaBet Posts: 14
    turkkm - We sent out emails for after school workouts. Most people can make it most days, but of course there's always some other commitments which interfere, but for the most part, we can all get in at least 3 workouts per week. Everyone has SmartBoards, so we do videos. Some days are cardio, some are strength training, and there are usually a few who stay after the workout to work on abs as well. I always keep an extra set of workout clothes at school so there's no excuse for not joining.
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    turkkm - We sent out emails for after school workouts. Most people can make it most days, but of course there's always some other commitments which interfere, but for the most part, we can all get in at least 3 workouts per week. Everyone has SmartBoards, so we do videos. Some days are cardio, some are strength training, and there are usually a few who stay after the workout to work on abs as well. I always keep an extra set of workout clothes at school so there's no excuse for not joining.

    Thanks for this reply! We did this one year and did videos too. The group just kept getting smaller and smaller until we finally stopped it. This is a great idea if you get a dedicated bunch. Unfortunately our school day has gotten later and later over the years and now we get out at 4:23pm. Most people have to get home for their kids and so depart quickly. But, on the upside, the new building is very large and I could walk the halls after school! I really have no excuse, lol!
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    turkkm~I'm secondary, not elementary, so I might be completely offtrack with this suggestion, but... When your kiddos go to specials, can you do laps around the building, walk the halls, anything like that? My school did a walking competition a couple of years ago, and several of us would get our steps in by walking during our conference periods.

    Thanks so much for this reply! We only get 220 minutes per week planning and it seems I need every minute to prep my hands on first grade lessons. Also, we lose our planning periods due to meetings and spot subbing. We have trouble getting subs in our building because our school is broke and they pay subs such a low amount. So, when someone is out sick, we may just have to go teach in someone else's room during our planning time, ugh! Also, RTI meetings and other meetings are held during our planning time, so the time is not always our own. I could walk the halls after school. I am thinking this is the best option for me. I have sort of a long drive home and in the winter it is dark when I get home which prevents walking outside. I do have some dvd's I could do in the evening. I just need to do them when I get home, lol! No more excuses.....I just have to do something this school year in the way of exercise! Even walking the building for 20 minutes at the end of the day would help!
  • minnow8157
    minnow8157 Posts: 1
    I just joined...I am a teacher too!!
  • missoularocks
    missoularocks Posts: 294 Member
    Yay for teachers! <3
    I will be student teaching in the fall and returning to the field in the spring. I have taught Secondary English and been a Paraeducator for Special Education.
  • turkkm
    turkkm Posts: 66
    Welcome new members! I have only been using this site a short time and I can already see it will be a great tool for me. Good luck to you!
  • dawnal1028
    dawnal1028 Posts: 29 Member
    turkkm - We sent out emails for after school workouts. Most people can make it most days, but of course there's always some other commitments which interfere, but for the most part, we can all get in at least 3 workouts per week. Everyone has SmartBoards, so we do videos. Some days are cardio, some are strength training, and there are usually a few who stay after the workout to work on abs as well. I always keep an extra set of workout clothes at school so there's no excuse for not joining.

    A group of teachers at my school did this last year and I wanted to join, but they were doing the Insanity Workout. I tried it once and my knees were absolutely killing me (that never happens with any other exercise)! If they wanted to do videos that were a little better for us older teachers, I would join them for sure. We have a lot of younger teachers in our building and I am happy to see them focused on health! Right now I am just planning on making sure I hit the gym after school every day. I will be happy to tell my principal I have to leave school at a reasonable time, like 4:30, so I can make my health a priority!
  • dawnal1028
    dawnal1028 Posts: 29 Member
    [/quote]

    Thanks so much for this reply! We only get 220 minutes per week planning and it seems I need every minute to prep my hands on first grade lessons. Also, we lose our planning periods due to meetings and spot subbing. We have trouble getting subs in our building because our school is broke and they pay subs such a low amount. So, when someone is out sick, we may just have to go teach in someone else's room during our planning time, ugh! Also, RTI meetings and other meetings are held during our planning time, so the time is not always our own. I could walk the halls after school. I am thinking this is the best option for me. I have sort of a long drive home and in the winter it is dark when I get home which prevents walking outside. I do have some dvd's I could do in the evening. I just need to do them when I get home, lol! No more excuses.....I just have to do something this school year in the way of exercise! Even walking the building for 20 minutes at the end of the day would help!
    [/quote]

    I have the same situation. I never have time for anything BUT planning during my specials, and with our new principal coming in, she will be pushing for more grade level planning, I know. I am planning to leave the building at 4:30 every day (20 minutes past our contracted time) to head to the gym. Walking the building also sounds great. We have some killer staircases in our building and I bet I could get an awesome workout walking the stairs after the kids have left.
  • livingandlovinglife
    livingandlovinglife Posts: 361 Member
    Hi! I'm a teacher too! Welcome!!!
  • sweetsong32
    sweetsong32 Posts: 33 Member
    Hi! I am a teacher also. I teach 4th grade. When school got out in May this year, I restarted with MFP. I wanted to spend the summer jumps starting my new way of eating. When school started August 8th, I was down 32 pounds. I still have a long way to go.
    Anyone, feel free to add me. :)
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I homeschool. I'm more of a faciltator than a teacher, really.
  • rlwart
    rlwart Posts: 47 Member
    I'm a sub too! I wish I was hard core, could somebody define that? And post instructions? Or make an immunization or something, some hard core pills I could take? I just have too much fun and then they think I'm "nice" or "cool" which bugs me because I'd rather they think I'm horrible. :p Seriously. Any hints to being hard core would be awesome.

    Add me if you want, I'm not around much because I log with the BodyMedia software that came with my armband but it would be easy for me to switch back to this format, and just use my calorie count at the end of the day. That works for so many people, but I'm hypothyroid and switching my meds around a little - my life is pretty much a weight loss crap shoot. I am super disciplined usually, and I feel like there's no way for me to eat enough calories, but then I do something stupid like today's two ice cream bars, they don't have that many calories but still make me feel crappy, and I already felt crappy today. And then I feel crappy for being such a complainer.

    In other news I found my MP3 player with the couch to 5K noise on it, so I'm going to put that on and walk/jog in front of my TV today so maybe my body will get some circulation and endorphins and feel better.

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