Teachers of MFP!

Gosh! Teaching in the USA sounds very different to schools in England. We don't tend to have any time off and our meetings are after school.
I am a special needs teacher for children who have suffered trauma, abuse and neglect. Our lunch is provided for us but it can be hard to calorie count. The chef prepares a large meal for lunch as it's the children's main meal of the day. They tend to have a smaller dinner in the evening. I've started taking my own lunches and ensure I have a high protein snack.

I seem to be surrounded by others who want to watch what they eat, but then the chef makes a homemade cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding or bread and butter pudding then they go straight for that. When I'm really stressed (let's face it, teaching at the best of times is stressful, and as the children have behavioural difficulties, it's extra stressful when they are going through a time of reliving the trauma), it does seem easy to turn to food. I seem to be a bit of a yo-yo dieter. I lose 80+lbs then get comfortable so eat whatever. I'm now back at trying to lose another 28lbs (which I seem to lose and gain again).

I'm in! 6th grade teacher here. In the past ten years of my career I've lost and then gained 80 pounds (did it the wrong way)

This time, I'm 22 pounds in and doing it the right way. I've found my fitbit to be a major motivator to me. I'm up at 5:30am. Get 250 steps before I shower and am at 1,500 steps before I leave for work at 7:45. I always eat a ham and cheese omelet from Schwan's. They're convenient and fairly healthy. I am lucky enough to have a fridge and a microwave in my classroom. I avoid the lunchroom unless I've forgotten to pack (rarely). I also choose to avoid the staff lounge. Crappy snacks and snooty gossipy teachers..lol. I usually pack a salad or make soup.
I make sure I hit 5,000 steps and 40 ounces of water before my kids come back in from lunch at 11:35. I eat an apple around 1:30pm while my kids are at specials. I am sure to drink another 40 ounces of water in the afternoon. I go home and play with my cuddly saint bernard to avoid grazing before husband comes home for dinner. I don't start dinner prep until I've got at least 7,500 steps in.
We eat almost all our meals at home so I know my meals are fairly healthily prepared. (My one downfall is when we travel...which is about once a month)
After dinner I go straight downstairs to work out. I don't have a snack after dinner, just water or plain iced tea.
I don't go to bed until ALL my goal on my fitbit are green (12000 steps, 5 miles, 3500 calories burned, 5 floors climbed, 20 active minutes) I hate losing so I have to pass them all.

I've found that being a creature of habit and doing the same thing every day has really been helpful to me. It limits my choices so the only thing I have to think about planning is my dinner meal. Husband and I menu plan on Sundays so it takes the guesswork out of it and we are less inclined to order out. We live in such a tiny town there are only two restaurants (none deliver)(one is a pizza place) so that really helps with "drive by cravings."

I've also "trained my bladder" to drink that much water and use the bathroom 8:25(morning bell), 10am(recess) 11:15 (lunch) 1:00 (specials begin) (2:10) specials end. When I first upped my water intake I was beating my kids out the door when the recess bell rang, now I think nothing of it. However, I don't drink anything other than water and plain iced tea so coffee drinkers may have different issues...

Yay great idea making a teacher thread! I'm from Sydney, Australia and have been teaching primary school since 2015. This year will be my second year teaching year 1

Teachers!!!! I'm a high school Language Arts teacher. I teach sophomores and have been teaching as long as they've been alive (which blows their minds). I find it extremely hard to eat at work. I hate eating in front of people so if I have students in my room at lunch I won't eat and during my conference period (free period) I'm either grading or taking a long walk. I use MyFitnessPal to stay accountable and try to maintain my weight range. Would love some new friends who understand the daily struggle.

Nrivera. You can do it. Just make a small change and stick with it. Then add another change and stick with it.

I am determined to be healthy for the rest of my career and life and that means I have to move more and eat better. Karen

I teach first year college students, and I just want to thank all of you for your hard work. I appreciate it so much when my students have had great preparation before they get to my class.

Hi everyone! School counselor here (finishing up my internship and graduating in May). I appreciated how sweet and thoughtful everyone at our school was for School Counselor's Week last week, but now I need to get back on track after all those sweets and restaurant lunches!

1st grade teacher here. I find I do best when I only allow myself to eat food I bring. Oh, and stay away from the staff room at all costs!

MammaPeaches wrote: »

Hey there!

I'm certain I am not the only teacher using this fabulous calorie tracker -- let's motivate each other to avoid the plethora of faculty room treats and throw away the birthday cupcakes! It's always, always someone's birthday in my elementary school!

Whether you've got a few to lose, lots to lose, or just want to maintain let's start a teacher support group!

-MamaPeaches, K-3 Title 1 Teacher

Lyntoria3, 4-5 grade reading teacher, Title 1

Hello MFP teachers! I'm a High School teacher 11 years now. Moved to a new city 2 years ago and had a hard time adjusting to my new surroundings. Left all my family and friends and evidently all my healthy habits. I have put a bit of weight back on but am now back on track. Be happy, be healthy and whatever you do enjoy the summer break while you can!