Teachers who gained weight due to teaching!!
hollyegan98
Posts: 12 Member
I decided after talking with a friend(who also teaches) to join MFP! I am on day three and I have successfully had three good days so far! My problem is during the school year it was easy to eat away the stresses of teaching! I didn't do so bad during school hours! The problem was going out to eat and binge eating when I got home! My size 18 that I started with at the beginning of the school year was no longer "my big pants!" I seem to do better in the summer! I plan on getting to a healthy weight!! I would like to lose 20 pounds or more before school starts back up! Open house is just around the corner!! I challenge any school teacher! Let's see how much together we can lose by August 25! #Iteach4th
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The fact that open house is around the corner makes me cringe. Elementary art teacher here though. I can attest to the fact that it is easier during the summer because all the goodies coworkers put out during the year are irresistible and hard to log. But you got this! Good luck!2
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Pizza on Friday and cupcakes!!! phew!! Let's do this!!2
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Hey not sure how severe you binge eating is/was, but I was there for almost 4 years. Here are some general lessons I learned, that I used to get started to recovering...
First, admit there was a problem. For three going on four years, I blamed externals, my drive, and my dreams for my actions. Ignoring people in my life hinting at me that I may have a problem, including family, close friends, and girlfriend. I lied to myself, rationalizing it with the mask of a cheat meal. As the punishment for binging increased so did the amount of times I binged. At first once a week, then every couple days, every other, until it consumed my thoughts. At times I would drive to Walmart just to eat it all before coming home. Chances are if you are reading this it is because you are looking for help. Good for you, you are lightyears ahead of where I was!
Second, I learned to love myself for me, as a matter of fact I am still learning how to do this. Today, the emulated physique is seen as happiness. It is published on social media, magazines, and posters as the symbol of happiness. I believed it, I chased it and chased it. I had it for some time and I was still just as miserable. How you look will not make you happy! Now don’t twist those words as an excuse to just let ourselves become overweight. Chances are you will break step 1 which is lying and rationalizing it. We have to learn to accept our imperfections. We all have them and everyone tries to hide them. Here are my flaws (some I can fix, others are what they are):
Relationships: I am aweful. I wrecked a 15 year friendship with a highschool sweetheart, I was selfish and an *kitten*. I can also be abrasive and brutal with little to no compassion. However ever since I shared this personal story, I have gotten better. Although I am by no means finished working on this.
Skin Damage: I never wore sunscreen as a kid. Now I have moles, freckles, and scars. Some I wish weren’t there. Some girls won’t talk to me because of them. I am not “sexy” enough. They aren’t “interested”.
Don’t let your imperfections stop you from loving yourself. You are the only you this world will ever see, embrace yourself. Perhaps the worst thing about this cycle was I hated myself, I hated my life, I did not want to look in the mirror, I thought I was a failure that I would never make it, I contemplated suicide. When I would binge, I would punish myself. Don’t do that we are human, life is meant to be enjoyed. Life is much too short to never treat yourself to what you love to eat whatever that maybe for you. Look yourself in the mirror directly into your eyes saying “I LOVE myself” at least 10 times a day, if not more. P.S. try not to smile when you say this (harder than you think).
Thirdly, there is no such thing as good food, bad food. Placing labels on food, leads us to ban them from our intake. We say, “No, No, No, No, No…” We push for the perfect diet, once we eat this food that does not fall into this neat diet box; we throw our hands up, saying we failed so now is the time to eat everything we can. This leads to punishment. Which leads to more restrictions. This is the vicious cycle we as binge eaters face. I used to believe it myself, that there was clean food and bad food. It simply is this manifested idea. If you ask a vegan, he/she will say animal based foods are not clean. Someone who is a vegetarian will disagree, and say it is just animal products that are not clean. Then a paleo guy runs in screaming about how meat is clean, but grains aren’t. So someone has to be right? They are all wrong. Instead, adopt my grandmother’s wise old adage of “everything in moderation.” AKA IIFYM
Fourth, going along the lines of moderation. You can eat whatever you want just not all at once. I believe I heard Layne Norton say this, I believe this, like the 11th commandment, in fact it should be an amendment to the constitution. When I first began to escape cycle, I would eat one “treat” at every meal. Nothing crazy, but it will allow you still get your “fix” but you won’t binge on it. Any action in the right direction gave me more motivation and encouragement to keep improving. The small wins kept snowballing into large victories later that slammed the door on binging. Disclaimer, it is wiser to eat this food item from a plate not from the container. Don’t test your will to fight binging if you do not have too. As the old saying goes, “work smarter, not harder.”
Fifth, no more crazy spreadsheets and tracking of nutrients line item by line item like an accountant. I did not worry about counting calories and the works. I would instead eat (3) meals, breakfast, lunch and supper possibly a snack if I was hungry. I would eat slowly, and as I began to feel fuller I would stop eating. You may be like me and scared that you’ll get fat. Well what is our other choice? We can keep binge eating which is not working, because you wouldn’t be reading this. Or we can reach out and try something new. I need to be conscious of my eating, instead of speed eating (still struggle at times).
Sixth, 180, 190, 160, 225, 200…what number was it going to be today I thought I as I closed my eyes scared to look down at the scale after a night of binging (these were all weights I reached during this cycle). You do not need a scale to help you. It’s about small wins, small wins, they add up trust me; I have been there too. Most people overestimate the damage of a binge. You need to eat in excess of 3500 calories over your normal intake to gain a pound of fat. It is not as bad as we create in our minds. Additionally, when we stand on the scale after a binge our body is bloated, full of food, sodium, and other goodies. This only compounds the guilt feeling.
It is your lucky day! I said six, but here is a seventh tip. So, what about eating at restaurants and parties? Parties were my kryptonite, the amount of food that I saw and I thought I had to eat three people’s worth of everything. What helped me to win at parties was I made this a game in my head (who cares no one else knows..plus now you know I did it). I am very competitive; I hate losing even if it’s go fish with a girlfriend (I will be a terrible father I will never let my kids win). Since eating slower and not getting seconds was a struggle at first. The game I created was to be the last one done eating, and the last one to get seconds. This helped me in many ways, first to help me eat slower I talked with people, this helped to repair the relationships I had damaged in the past, plus I was not over eating (win/win). Which is why I was last to get seconds, so often I would eat so quick that my stomach didn’t even know it was fed until I was already 4-5 plates of heaping food deep.
Make that eight, workout for fun! For so long in this process I trained for results no I do not mean goals; I simply worked out to look good that’s it! It was the complete wrong direction, it made training no fun, I dreaded every gym session, and was having a miserable time. It doesn’t matter if you are into bodybuilding, figure, physique, cross fit, powerlifting, strongman, marathons, etc. just train for fun, train to get better and challenge yourself. For me this was powerlifting.
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I am the same way...after school I eat endlessly but eat correctly during the day. Sending you a friend request. My goal is 25 by august 25th2
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I just had to make my son his 13th birthday cake!!!! I only ate a piece usually by now I would have eaten another!! I am keeping myself within moderation!!!3
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I'm shocked weight gain was your biggest concern. I'd have to develop a Valium addiction to put up with school kids all day. :-o7
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I thought we could share websites and maybe use this forum as a tool for professional development!! Have any of you fellow teachers used flocabulary? It is probably one of my favorite teaching tools! Anyone else have any favorite websites to share? Oh and I am down 2.8 pounds since starting last Wednesday! I am trying to weigh in on every third day! 22.2 more to go for the lose 25 lbs before open house!2
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Same! I started stress eating three years ago when I started teaching and I can't stop stress eating tbh.0
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HS teacher here. I totally understand!3
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So I pulled a muscle in my neck and I am going on my second day of no exercise!! I am staying within my limit though!1
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I'm in! School makes me fat! Between stress, long hours, etc I am always heavier in June than September!!2
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Just got back on track and exercise 2 weeks ago.The last two months was hard for me as a sped middle school teacher.Now it's summer here in Hawaii but my principal wants me to teach resource classes for science 7 & 8 beside math 8 that I taught this past school year.Prepping for the sciences lesson plans is stressing me out on the first few weeks of summer break but now slowly getting a hang of it.Thanks for teacherpayteacher online resources for teachers help me to have to time to do my house chores to do list and exercise 4 times a week at least.Staying on track for the past 2 weeks.1
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I have one more year before becoming a teacher. Maybe some of you can give me advice?1
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I gained 7 lbs this past school year. Definitely stress eat in the evenings and don't take the time to cook good meals because I'm exhausted.2
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University lecturer- and can totally identify which what you said! Feel free to add me fellow teachers and will be sure to follow #Iteach4th!2
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I have one more year before becoming a teacher. Maybe some of you can give me advice?
Advice, hmmmm.... Maybe make sure that the MFP way of life is engrained in your routine as you move towards graduation and employment. Stick to it daily as you progress through stressful times and lean on your friends when u feel the urge to splurge on calories. Best of luck friend.
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I gained about 14lbs in the 3 years i taught. I used to eat sweets for lunch for energy whilst i set the classroom up for the next session. I used to buy boxes of chocolates and family bags of crisps on the Way home just to numb the stress.
I gave up teaching, lost the weight and never looked back.
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Really? I lost weight teaching. Finding it harder to do incidental exercise as a new stayathome mum0
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HS SpEd teacher here and completely understand. I'm down 25 lbs and have about 61 lbs to lose...3
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I have to lose 40... Hoping to shed 20 of it this summer and then the rest next year... I really hope that I don't gain it back during school! I am going to try to avoid all the miscellaneous "treats" that start to add up.2
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I worked as a middle school teacher for six years before starting my current position. I work at a virtual high school and teach seniors. The stress level dropped from about a 100 to a 10, and I can get up and go walk during the day, as long as my walks are short and between 10-20 minutes. I love walking around the block in the middle of the day! Saying that, I also have to watch myself so I don't mindlessly eat. So I have gained a little just from that. It's not happening this year!2
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Hi, this past year was a rough year in which I got off track with eating right and exercising. . I used to jog/walk and or ride my bike 6 to 7 days a week for at least 30 minutes each day. Also, I was trying to eat better every 3 hours.
I have been trying to get back on track, but it has been hard to do.
I had been eating out of control which has affected other areas of my life.
I want to get down to a certain size by school or the end of October, but I want to eat right and in moderation. If I buy ice cream, cookies... (Even almonds which are healthy for you when you do not over indulge) it would be gone in a day or two. I do not buy them often any way. I love my vegetables and junk, but I want to eat them in moderation.
I was out of control, so I am somewhat fasting, not like a spiritual fast. I am drinking juice and water, and eating vegetables and fruits for a couple of weeks every 3 hours. This is about getting back in control (my mind). I am not necessarily doing this to lose the weight initially which will happen too, but to take control of what and when I eat. Then gradually I want eat a good breakfast (later lunch and dinner and snack) of protein and fruit each morning, but I want to find a variety good quick breakfast food and recipes. Usually during the school year I eat a boil egg and fruit for breakfast. This is quick and easy, but I want variety. Also, it has been better than other years - I could go without eating all day because of busyness. So in the last 2 to 3 years I have gotten better at eating through out the day.
Also, I eat when I am tired. So when I go home i would eat instead of taking a nap (goal is to watch this).
Teachers are busy and we work hard. We put our job and students before our health sometimes and that includes rest. If we do not take care of ourselves, how can we be our best with our students. Remember they are watching us even if it is not academics. I take the challenge.
Sincerely,
Was out of control and on my way to being in control : )3 -
My biggest problem this school year was enjoying a sugary drink during lunch, skipping breakfast, then going out to eat because of its convenience! I was worn out some days and thinking about cooking was hard to do! I enjoy baking so that might had been another downfall for me! I love reading everyone's post! I checked and open house for me is the 25 of August! I am still trying for that minus 25 pounds before then! We can do it!!!
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I've taught middle school for nine years. It is actually easier for me to maintain on MFP when I am at work. I have healthy snacks and bring my lunch to school (I have a microwave and fridge to help me). Because I stay so busy, I don't have time to think about food or munching. I will usually eat a lean cuisine or progresso light soup if I didn't prepack my lunch. I am constantly pacing around the room so it is much easier to get my steps in too. I run errands during my planning (check mail/talk to admin), I don't send students. This makes me walk more and get around too. I have found some really easy go-to healthy meals that work for me when I am really tired after work. I also spent a lot of time at Subway when I first started MFP when I did fast food. Yes, I got tired of the salad and same sandwich, but I told myself I wanted to lose weight more and I stuck with it. I keep only healthy things at school and I log everything before I eat it. Teaching IS very stressful. Exercise helps me with that but I admit I am usually pretty tired at the end of the day so I don't get my exercise in as much as I would like to.
I struggle more during the summer. I am home all day with the snacks and chips that my boys eat. I also tend to socialize with friends a lot more during the summer, and that is a big downfall for me.2 -
See I'm struggling with the lack of movement now that I'm not teaching. I was getting 10,000 steps in a day EASY, and now I have to intentionally move to even come close. Let's put it this way, I had a child home today who had a fever yesterday so there was no going out (I still adhere to the 24 hour policy for the sake of humanity). I'll hit 3,000 steps if I'm lucky and I spent a chunk of my day in my kitchen climbing, cleaning, organizing, cooking, and cleaning some more.
I'd like to say my drinking has decreased, but that would be a flat out lie.2 -
Now I'm getting nervous. I've been working in private early childhood classes for 8 years and am just now interviewing for charter/public schools. I have some really short days currently and the school I just interviewed has longer than normal school hours. And it's an under privileged student population. Ahhh...0
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We definitely tend to be more active at school! How many of you come home after the first week of school and your feet feel like a ton of bricks! It's always an adjustment going back to school but I would agree about the steps!4
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I taught junior high for a few years before I took my current job (teaching inmates at Federal prison.) Teaching school, I would go home exhausted every day. I had no energy to workout or do much of anything. Now, while I work 7-4, year round, I go home with a desire to move. I either take zumba, yoga or get on the elliptical for an hour. The weight is SLOWLY coming back off.3
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I find it easier to eat correctly but harder to work out during school year. Would like to be down at least 25-30 before school starts. Think I will close my room (HS) during lunch most days. That will actually give me time for healthy lunch. Think we all need to pack our gym bag and not go home first!
Down 8 lbs. we can do this!!!2 -
This last school year i made small side salads to go with my sandwich. I rarely went on a lunch run. I also packed granola bars in case the breakfast in the classroom program served an entree i dont like...i had an extra in case i needed a snack in the afternoon. I gave up sodas on December 28th - cold turkey - but my downfall is sweet tea. I'm allergic to aspartame, so diet drinks are out. I have found myself drinking a lot more water these last couple of weeks, though, which is good. I also downloaded the 30 day fit challenge app (the first week my thighs were jelly!). So far, I am down about 3 pounds. I would love to go out walking, but it's too darned hot here!
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!2
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