Any teachers out there?!

I'm a secondary (high) school teacher in the UK. I've found that the only way that it works for me is with planning. I gym on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I go to classes on Tuesday (pilates) and Thursday (zumba) nights. I plan all my food out for the week ahead but if I'm expecting kids bringing in cakes etc. I make sure to leave a couple of hundred calories free that day and then use some serious willpower to make sure I don't overindulge!

I am married to a teacher - does that count?

I am a teacher (4 years classroom experience) and have been a full time graduate student for the past 3 years. My first year of teaching was a terrible experience, and I was exhaused, both physically and mentally) every day. The first year or two in the classroom can be so challenging and exhausting and I can relate completely to your post. I found that by having a set workout schedule for myself that was non-negotiable (pending illness or a mandatory evening event at school), I was able to make my workouts a habit and I really enjoyed that physical release of stress and anxiety at the end of the teaching day. I went to the gym every day immediately after leaving school because I learned that if I went home first, I would get side tracked or make excuses and then not work out. I also joined a Tuesday kickboxing class and a Thursday step class with a colleague who also was a member at the same gym. This was awesome because we held each other accountable for attending classes and encouraged each other to show up. She taught in the classroom next to me so we could motivate each other throughout the day or laugh at how funny we were walking from tough sessions, and it was really just fun to have a friend in the class with me. I highly recommend finding a friend who would be interested in being your workout buddy...you won't even have to work out together, but it was really helpful for me to have an accountability buddy.

As far as vending machines and treats at school, I really avoided the faculty room or any area that I knew people brought in goodies. I usually eat in my classroom anyway because I learned early that the faculty room can tend to be a place for teachers to gather and gossip, complain, and basically be negative together. I preferred to eat in my room where I could have 20 minutes of peace and quiet lol! I did take advantage of the fridge in the faculty room and would stock it every Monday morning with healthy lunches and snacks to last the week. I found that having a planned menu available for me at school helped me becuause it was one less thing to think about in the morning and helped me avoid having to buy a cafeteria lunch as an emergency last resort, or raiding the vending machine because I was starving and desperate.

Like I said, the first year is not easy, and as you continue through the year you will become more comfortable with the schedule and have more energy at the end of the day. Make workouts part of the routine and plan your lunches and snacks out on Sunday so you have less temptations.

Also, we have teachers who would get together to walk right after school. They all met in the lobby and walked together for 30 mins to an hour around the building and neighborhood. You could maybe see if any of your colleagues would be interested in a walking and or running club and then you can get some exercise immediately after the kids leave.

I hope this helps

I'm in my 5th year of teaching and teaching 3rd grade for the first time.

In terms of working out - you can find the time. If you're like me and you're way to tired to even think about exercising, go to bed and wake up early to get a workout in. Workout DVD's are awesome cause you can workout at home or at school.

You can also always get other teachers to workout with you with the DVD's or even start teacher games n the gym after school.

Eating requires planning and prep - since you're already doing that for your class just throw some more in for yourself
Choose a day to do your meal planning, another for your shopping and another for your prepping/cooking. I do my prep and cooking on a saturday. I cook and freeze my meals for the week and that way I don't have to cook during the week and I know exactly what I'm eating.

For the treats and vending machine - that just requires will power. Avoid going past the vending machine or have a plan of what you're going to do when you see the treats on the table. It's hard but within your control

It is hard. For me planning ahead, and having a regular routine is the key. I plan out my food for the day, and eat only what I bring. I don't do teacher's room snacks or vending machines; for me that can snowball too quickly. If there is a potluck, I make sure to bring something healthy that I know will fill me up, and will take a spoonful of 1-2 other things that appear reasonably healthy. I have a workout routine scheduled for the week, and I stick to it. Usually I go straight to the gym after work, or straight home and run. I don't allow myself to go home and sit for even a minute, becuase then I won't get back up. I bring my gym clothes to school, and change before I leave, just in case I forget something I can stop at home and grab it on the way to the gym. There's a group of teachers at my school that walk together 3 times a week. Perhaps you could find some like minded teachers to join with you?