Science Teacher, no time, help!

2»

Replies

  • kmshred
    kmshred Posts: 393 Member
    i'm a teacher too and i totally know what your hectic schedule is like.

    honestly meal prep helps, so you don't have to go home and cook all the time for the week. i spend the weekends getting ready for the week. as soon as i walk in the door and drop my bags off i get changed and head back out. yeah, then a quick dinner and bed!

    it's crazy but it's manageable. some days you just do get too tired and need a rest, which is okay to do also!

    good luck!
  • Sunitagt
    Sunitagt Posts: 486 Member
    FYI OP there is always time. Get in your high-intensity exercise on days off if you must. I work 14-17 hours a day right now between two jobs, and I make time for exercise. I don't have much free time, but my days start out with getting up two hours before I leave for work to get in a walk, shower, put together my lunch, and eat breakfast. I go straight to the gym on the days I only work one job for 9 hours. If I worked both every day, I would go to the gym instead of going for the walk and get in the walking later on.

    There is a way to make it work, you just have to schedule everything right, and figure out if this is important enough to make your first priority. That's what it took for me, making my health the priority over everything else, fitting it all in where I can.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    I know I could wake up and work out but then it cuts into my sleep time. Right now I aim for a healthy 7-8 hours I really don't want to part with. *sigh* I suppose I will have to find another way. Maybe run with the kids I coach.

    some people would rather sleep than be successful.

    Sleep deprivation is closely linked to weight gain.
    IMO the OP is right in wanting to keep her sleep at least 7-8 hours.

    Mad-Men-Season-4-Recap-Video.jpg
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    I know I could wake up and work out but then it cuts into my sleep time. Right now I aim for a healthy 7-8 hours I really don't want to part with. *sigh* I suppose I will have to find another way. Maybe run with the kids I coach.

    some people would rather sleep than be successful.

    Sleep deprivation is closely linked to weight gain.
    IMO the OP is right in wanting to keep her sleep at least 7-8 hours.

    hmmm, and all this time I thought overeating was what lead to weight gain ….
  • dayone987
    dayone987 Posts: 645 Member
    I know I could wake up and work out but then it cuts into my sleep time. Right now I aim for a healthy 7-8 hours I really don't want to part with. *sigh* I suppose I will have to find another way. Maybe run with the kids I coach.

    some people would rather sleep than be successful.

    Sleep deprivation is closely linked to weight gain.
    IMO the OP is right in wanting to keep her sleep at least 7-8 hours.

    hmmm, and all this time I thought overeating was what lead to weight gain ….

    I agree eating more calories than you burn causes weight gain.

    However, sleep deprivation causes a change in hormone levels which in turn causes an increased appetite.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sleep-deprivation-obesity/
  • Springfield1970
    Springfield1970 Posts: 1,945 Member
    I know I could wake up and work out but then it cuts into my sleep time. Right now I aim for a healthy 7-8 hours I really don't want to part with. *sigh* I suppose I will have to find another way. Maybe run with the kids I coach.

    some people would rather sleep than be successful.


    Sleep deprivation is closely linked to weight gain.
    IMO the OP is right in wanting to keep her sleep at least 7-8 hours.

    hmmm, and all this time I thought overeating was what lead to weight gain ….

    I agree eating more calories than you burn causes weight gain.

    However, sleep deprivation causes a change in hormone levels which in turn causes an increased appetite.

    http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sleep-deprivation-obesity/

    Can I add for balance that when I'm in the throes of my insomnia, I lose weight just the same. I was at my fittest and thinnest when I was training 10 hours a week and sleeping 5-6 hours. Felt amazing too. Go figure. Maybe I'm different....
  • Adomke89
    Adomke89 Posts: 35 Member
    My specific goals are to become more toned, physically faster, and lose probably about 20 pounds. I'm more concerned with inches so actually a concrete goal would be to lose about 3-5 inches off of my both my bust and waist.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    I can't give you more time, but as far as the sweet tooth goes -- just don't keep that food in your house.

    And if you really, really crave it, try a fruit smoothie or some real dark chcolate (Green & Black's 85% is my go-to and th eonly one I actually like).
  • Adomke89
    Adomke89 Posts: 35 Member
    Joined in college, just learned how to change my gender, and am restarting because I fell off the bandwagon!
  • lilbearzmom
    lilbearzmom Posts: 600 Member
    My only suggestion is to get it in when you can- exercising with your students during practice is a great idea. Also, what about weekends to get a couple of long workouts in? That might have to be your life while school is in session Aug-June. In the summer and on breaks you could really hit it. Just do what you can. Even 10 minute "bursts" throughout your day would help. Good luck!
  • Hi,

    I am also the same working 12 hour days I work full time and I teach music at night so I have roughly the same time between an hour - 2 hours of an evening. I have an exercise bike and when I finish at night I just go on that for 30-40 mins whilst watching tv. I know you feel tired I am usually the same however once you get started you will have more energy!
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Skipping breakfast is a TERRIBLE idea. Even if you aren't hungry something small and healthy is best. i.e. overnight oatmeal w/ protein powder and fruit in it. I usually have my Shakeology as breakfast then add some protein and creatine. If I don't have the Shakeology I tend to fall out of routines and also crave more. Lemon water is also good for in the morning and helps to wake you up as well. Eat small portions throughout the day to stay fueled up. Working out throughout the day with little tips which you can find on Pinterest will be beneficial. If you prefer the solid 30 minute workout then you'll have to decide whether losing weight/toning (whatever your goal is) or a full 8 hours of sleep is more important to you. The quicker you want results, the more you'll have to put in to it. In the end it'll be easier because it'll become routine and you'll be doing more maintenance than anything else. It'll be a lifestyle rather than a hassle. Good luck!! :flowerforyou:

    Again, false.

    You do not need tp eat breakfast.
    It is a personal preference
  • kjo9692
    kjo9692 Posts: 430 Member
    I work full time and I'm in college too. If I didn't exercise, my routine would be basically getting up at 6:30 a.m., and I'm back home at 11:00 p.m. Then I usually have to prepare my meals for the next day or study, and usually go to bed at 12:00 a.m. or a bit later than that. It doesn't really harm me. I'm starting to wake up every day at 6:00 a.m. (30 mins earlier) so I can exercise for 30 minutes. It really helps me with my energy levels for the rest of the day. You can get 6 hours of sleep and incorporate exercise and you'll feel wonderful! It's not easy at the beginning, but a week in and you'll feel the changes, and it will become a habit.
  • dawnmcneil10
    dawnmcneil10 Posts: 638 Member
    How about doing meal prep on the weekends when you have more time? Fix a few meals and either freeze them to toss in the crock pot later in the week or cook them and separate into individual containers and freeze then take out what you need as you need it.

    During the week you can take the time you used to use for meal prep and get in some exercise. While the kids are doing drills or whatever do some yourself, there's no reason you couldn't do something as simple as lunges or squats and you can still observe them.

    Skipping meals is never a good idea, if sleep is important and you're still sleepy after 7-8 hours every night then you definitely need to get some exercise in there to give yourself a boost.
  • Adomke89
    Adomke89 Posts: 35 Member
    As far as sleep goes, everybody is different. Dealing and teaching students all day I need to be fully energized. If I don't get enough sleep I'm hazy and grumpy which doesn't bode well with students and teaching, so yes, I do choose sleep over "being successful" if that is how you all would like to put it.
  • SunofaBeach14
    SunofaBeach14 Posts: 4,899 Member
    Life will always provide an excuse, and even real obstacles, if you look hard enough. You have to decide that you want it badly enough to make it a priority.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    Do you watch any tv at all? Do you spend any appreciable time on the internet? Do you spend 30 minutes fixing your hair in the morning?

    There's always time in a day. You say you sleep 7 and you work 12. You can't find 30 minutes in that other 5 hours?

    Use your crock pot to cook your meal or look up 15 minute meal ideas.

    Bake something for 45 minutes and use that time that it is baking to do a workout.

    When I don't exercise, I'm very tired at night. When the day is really busy and the only time I can go to the gym is at 6:30 or 7pm, I go at 6:30 or 7pm and end up feeling better and less tired. I also sleep better when I workout, focus better on tasks, and you might even find yourself more efficient when you grade and make lesson plans.
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    As far as sleep goes, everybody is different. Dealing and teaching students all day I need to be fully energized. If I don't get enough sleep I'm hazy and grumpy which doesn't bode well with students and teaching, so yes, I do choose sleep over "being successful" if that is how you all would like to put it.

    I agree that you shouldn't skimp on sleep. But fortunately you don't have to. You coach kids at school and they are running during your class? You want to get in more exercise? Then the obvious answer is to run with your kids!
    You can get PAID to exercise, and earn even more respect with your kids.

    As for your diet, shoot for 100gr of protein and 50gr of healthy fats per day, and fill the rest with veggies, fruits, and whole grains if you like. Don't fall into the trap of reaching for sugar or processed carbs to give you energy when you are tired. That is a never ending cycle of sugar rush and crash.
    Don't drink your calories.
    Don't eat mindlessly. Know what you are eating and how much.

    You are young, and now is the time to make some good health habits to last you a lifetime. Trust me, you don't want to be trying to do this at 50!