Any teachers trying to lose weight?

I work in a preschool and my BIGGEST challenge is the school lunches. We serve family style and the teachers have to eat what the children eat. That means that sometimes I take in A LOT of calories just because I am starving and can't wait to eat until nap time. I hate having to adjust my dinners just because of what we ate at school. We can get a doctors note to give to the corporation allowing us to eat differently in front of the kids but it is HIGHLY discouraged.

Yes it just infuriates me! If you look at my meals in the week, I try to just eat half a bun when we have a sandwich or eat more of the fruits and veggies but sometimes I am starving. A salad would make me feel so much better sometimes! I was talking to my mother in law who is also a teacher and she says I should call the Dr. and just ask for a note. And we all know those school lunches are so healthy :grumble:

I am a full time special education instuctional aide. I understand completely! We always have students coming around and passing out treats for their birthday.. either I graciously decline or accept and recycle.

In addition, we have a weekly treat day in the lounge.. either I skip the lounge completely or eat in moderation.. I'm lucky as there are several of us that are eating healthy and losing weight. It helps to have the support and accountablity.

Feel free to add me if you'd like

Dawn

I'm an elementary LMS. I like that my job is fairly active (reshelving books, etc - not too much sitting). I don't have the birthday parties in the library, so it's easier for me - when they stop by with cupcakes, I take it, thank them, then pass it on to one of the other teachers, the custodian, or toss it. My whole school knows I'm trying to lose weight (I walk the halls in the morning for 30 minutes when I get there, so they see me doing laps, lol) so they have started making sure our treat breakfasts have healthy options, which I appreciate, and a couple people have joined me walking in the mornings, which is cool too. You can add me if you'd like!

I am a teacher too. I teach first - fifth grade technology.

My biggest challenge is the water. I try to drink as much as possible, but it is hard to find a chance to go to the bathroom. It's not like you can just leave the classroom whenever you want. It does help that the computer lab is attached to the library and sometimes I can ask the librarian to cover my class for a minute, but sometimes she has a class and can't cover.

I make sure I have a snack before lunch and then one after school so I am not starving at dinner time.

For lunch I usually take a Lean Cuisine (I know the sodium is high). It is convenient though. I have also done sandwiches or egg salad. I also try to stay away from the treats in the lounge.

My school is doing a "Biggest Loser" competition which helps with motivation too.

I teach 5th grade. The stress has been the hardest part for me since I'm a stress eater. Texas has changed the standardized test this year to make it even more "rigorous." The state hasn't said much about the new test beyond that so schools are in a tizzy trying to guess what it might be like. At least my school is. We meet all the time and are forever compiling data. Teaching feels like the secondary part of my job this year.

Another big problem for me is finding the time to work out. Teaching can be all-consuming so I've been working on setting limits on what I will do at home. That has helped a lot.

Water intake is hard since bathroom access is limited. I try to get half my water in from lunch on, and then the rest at home by dinner.

I eat either frozen meals or sandwiches. By the end of the school year I don't want anymore of either.

I can't imagine having to eat what the kids do. That would totally derail me.

All 3 of us in my classroom used to bring treats. Now 2 of us are trying to lose and the 3rd brings treats. I will say "Seriously?!?! Who brought treats!!!" She will laugh and say that we can have a little just don't go over board. One day I made her give me the recipe so I could plug it in here. The little taste I ended up eating wasn't worth it in my opinion. We call her Betty Crocker and up until recently, we LOVED it when she brought treats!! She makes cake balls for a side business.

Anyway....there are no big halls to walk for me and I can't leave the building on break so I have to get my exercise in the mornings before my kids all get up. I rarely can exercise at night as I run them all over for activities. Teaching is stressful and I am also a stress eater. Its so hard not to! The other day my coworker that is also trying to lose, texted me that she got a candy bar after school. I went home and ate some vanilla yogurt with granola. Maybe it was the same calories but I knew it was healthier than a candy bar. She made sure to tell me that the candy didn't make her feel any better. Neither did my yogurt but it was a better choice for me.

I teach 7th graders science....I know I can do better, but here is what is working for me:
1. I don't sit at my desk all day. I am up and down and across the room and squatting next to students to help them....and sometimes we do stretches/yoga at the start of class when they are squirrely....
2. I use a GIANT insultated mug (like the huge ones at the gas station) and fill it with ice and water...goal is to drink it all then add more water to the leftover ice and drink at least 1/2 of that
3. pack my own lunches and snacks...I am soooo exhausted by the time I get home, often around 6 or 7 at night (after I've been at school since 6:30/7 am)...I try to pack lunch for the next day and log it in MFP before I eat dinner...
ORRRRRR
If I stay really late at school and run out to grab dinner I try to get an extra subway sandwhich or arby's salad for the next day...lunch=done!

These help, but I hopelessly fail at these most of the time:
Staying out of the breakroom - - we have peopel scheduled to bring in breakroom snacks everyday...mmmm frosting and graham crackers...I eat that by spoonful becuase once I start I can't keep my paws off it....but I log ever bit I put in my mouth as best i can
And I also try to walk laps inside the school. This has happened like once this school year, but I felt good after!

What works for you guys????? I need to change things up a bit for sure! I hope this helps all of you! A healthier, happier teacher is a better teacher! Its all for our students!

I teach 8th grade. I find it most difficult to drink the water that I need to drink b/c of no potty break!!!!

I find it helps to drink plenty of water - I don't drink anything except water throughout the day. Even giving up diet coke helped a lot. I drink a protein shake for breakfast. I eat healthy snacks like almonds, apples w/ peanut butter, etc. I take my own lunch!!! I work out before work when possible, which is not always the case b/c I have to get up at 4:30 a.m. due to my crazy schedule/family obligations/1-hr car ride to work. I also work out after work. Again, I have to squeeze in time when I can. I am currently doing the 30 Day Shred b/c it is short and I can fit it in easier than other things. I pass on the cake and other junk food that seems to always be readily available.

I teach 5th grade and the biggest struggle for me is being able to drink enough water. The students come into the classroom at 7:55 and my planning time is from 8:30-9:20. So, I don't get to go to the bathroom again until after bus duty at 3:30. So, there is no way that I can drink throughout the day.So, I usually drink all of my water between 3 and 11pm :frown: As for the goodies and treats that people bring, I graciously decline or take it and throw it away later. Many of the teachers get together in the multipurpose room and do fitness/aerobic videos on Thursdays and we have a walking track for the students outside. Many of the teachers walk in the afternoons. I don't because I prefer to run and lift light weights. I would suggest for people who don't have workout sessions at their school, that they ask the principal if they can start them. Over half our school does the workouts including our principal. Most of the schools in my district does this also. At my last school, the workouts were twice a week. Happy healthy teachers are more productive is the philosophy behind it.

What works for me is to set a schedule for grading papers, lesson plans, etc. and stick with it. For example, I grade papers and enter grades one day a week before school and during my planning time. I stay after school late 1 day a week and come in to work 30-40 mins early everyday so that I can get everything done that I need to without taking it home (unless its a 3 day weekend). This allows me to leave at 3:30, which leaves plenty of time to exercise, cook, and do other stuff. It is easy for school to take over your life and stress you out if you let it. Been there and not going back

I teach 8th grade. I find it most difficult to drink the water that I need to drink b/c of no potty break!!!!

This kills. When I taught Kindergarten, I realized I went the whole day without using the restroom! Talk about a way to set yourself up for bladder infections!

I teach 3rd grade - I get a break at 10:35 with lunch at 12:00. I can usually get away to use the RR if I really need to. Since January the district supports a weight loss group which makes it a bit easier. A lot of the treats have a fruit or veggie tray so I try to graze off those and tell myself that the sweet/salty snacks aren't really worth it & probably don't even taste as good as they look. I also avoid the lounge during major treat days. I always bring my lunch which is either a sandwich or leftovers. I am getting into a routine with this so it is working for me right now.

I also think it is not very nice to be told you have to eat the school's food. Sorry about that situation for you.

I'm a special ed teacher for high school students. Here's what REALLY works for me: a set schedule.

So far, I've lost 13 lbs. Not a lot considering I have a lot more to go, but here's what really works for me.

I plan all my meals out (even my lunches). I cook one day a week, usually on Sundays. I portion everything out into tupperware, so in the morning it's grab and go for lunches (Usually one container of left overs added with apples and oranges or a salad). I even go as to far to have my two water bottles pre-filled before I go to bed. Cooking one day eliminates "what am I going to do for dinner" mode, which triggers me to snack/binge in between. I'm lucky in the sense that I'm single, cause if I have a ton of left overs, I can portion and freeze. That way I don't get bored with the same thing everyday.

I've learned that my crock pot is my friend. Some of the meals that I've found on www.skinyms.com have been a Godsend. Seriously. They're flavorful, and brainless. Just dump, program, walk away, and voilia! Dinner! :-)

Having taught pre-k before (I'm certified 3-21), I know the struggles that happen. The best thing for you to do is PLAN everything. Even snacks. If I know there's a birthday I plan to exercise extra the night before, OR, the day of. While this isn't really looked upon positively, I've taken one of my prep periods to walk, rather than planning. Yes. This means extra time after school, but the reality of it is is this: I was staying after later anyway. What's 30-40 more minutes?

Hope this helps a bit. PS--I highly recommend yoga for relaxation/exercise. It's helped me a ton!

I have been a substitute teacher for almost 8 years now. I love my job, but having to eat at different times, can be hard. I only sub at one school, and I also get invites to the teacher luncheons, and I am treated just like one of the regular staff members. I just get to be the lucky one who doesn't have to go to the staff meetings!
I mainly work in school suspension, so sitting in a room all day with kids who are only allowed to sit quietly and do their work, I think about food quite a bit.
Anyone can feel free to add me.

I teach 9th and 12th grade English, and high school ESL!

EDIT: I guess it's just you and me, Alicia!