Hi! I'm at the end of my first week and a half on JC and have my second weigh-in today. I am thrilled to see a support group for teachers. Thank you. I teach high school history and English at a small private independent school. The only constant in the schedule is that we always have a "special schedule". I think only teachers understand how hard it is to find time to use the restroom let alone eating mindfully! I teach on a block schedule. Three out of 5 days my morning snack is during class. It's also hard to eat lunch mindfully in 35 minutes - especially if you throw in a review, prep, meeting or student in need of help. I've tried setting boundaries during my lunch without much success. I would love any encouragement, support, ideas or just plain empathy Thank you!

SW-154
GW-125
W1-152
W2-149 (yea!)

Hi MKL
Congratulations on your loss so far!!! You're doing great!!!
I understand your dilemma... I teach elementary vocal music and have many of the same problems. Luckily my free period this year is back to back with my lunch, so I have time to take my time at lunch (most days that is). I don't get my snack in in the morning because I have kids straight through. (Plus my lunch is at 11, and I eat breakfast at 9, so I'm really not hungry!!!). I do have a 10 minute break from 2:20 to 2:30, so I try to fit a snack in there. I'm usually starving when I get home, so I save my lunch salad for that dreaded 4:00 hour. Then it's dinner around 6:30, snack at 8:30, bed at 9:30, and up in the morning at 6:00 to start it all again!!!
I did JC in 1996 and had great success (this time I've been OP for 8 weeks and have lost around 18 pounds. It's not coming off as quickly, but I'll get there! ) One of the things I did in 1996 was to peel an orange and have it on my desk all day. When I got a second, or when I was feeling hungry I would take a section and pop it in my mouth. It kept the hunger off, and I could eat it quickly. I've also read on other threads about drinking low sodium V8 juice, and have been trying that... it does help the hunger issue, plus I get a veggie in during the day. It's tough to do this when you have kids... I find that it's easier to just be honest with the students and tell them that I'm trying to live a healthier life and lose some weight. (And I have UPK through 5th grade kids!) I'm hoping that I may end up inspiring some of them down the line.
Take care for now and let me know how it's going for you!!!
Kaye

Hi Kayce,
Thank you for your reply! I like the idea of a peeled orange on my desk (although, even there I share a room) throughout the day. I will keep you posted! Again, thank you.
MKL

I saw the word "Teacher" and had to respond immediatel! I am in my second week and trying to explain to my consultant my crazy hours and rules was tricky. I teach Head Start (Early Child Development for low income families) for pre-kinders. The state requires 2 things in this program; 1 they must eat 2 meals while at school and 2 you must eat family style. You eat what they eat to medol good eating habits. Well, let me tell you, this is difficult! I do not order Jenny breakfast because they are pretty balanced in the classroom. I just have to practice self control. Lunches... I put small portions on my plate, push around the yummy food I cannot have and eat about a half a cup of the fruits and vegies. So far the kids have not noticed. They don't leave until 1 and then I am on a bus run with them for another hour. I get back to the school at 2. By then I am starving and can't wait to eat my Jenny luch. The first week was tough. I wasn't use to the portion size and was so hungry and wanted more after my meal. I am settling in better this week. I hate water, but I am drinking it to fill before I get back to the school. As far as getting to the restroom? I am sure every teacher can identify, we run on full bladders!!! There are days I get home and wonder how my bladder did not burst! My evenig have been fine. Good food, a bit of exercise and I have the gooey gooyies (My favorites are the 2 cheesecakes and lemon cake) I thought to reward my great day... well this week I was informed our rewards were suppose to be non-food! Not how I have lived my life. May take awhile to break that habit. So far I can justify it by knowing Jenny gave it me.

Anyway, new to the group. Tried every diet as most of you have and decided this time I was putting it in someone elses hands. No measuring or weighing. Just doin what I'm told. So far, so good!

Glad you are all there for support. Now I need to explore more to see how all these tools work.
Good Luck to we Teachers (And of course all who are on this journey).

Ms. Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
Do you get the anytime vitamin bars? They would help if you don't each lunch until 2pm! String cheese is also good to have on hand. Talk again with your consultant. If she is good she will set you up to succeed regarding lunch. (Although, you should definitely feel proud of sticking to the fruits and veggies during the kiddies lunch!) If the consultant doesn't understand the crazy schedule (hence this topic:) find one who will. Oh, and enjoy the yummy desserts because....well they're yummy:) Know that there is support for you here!
MK

Hello All!

I am actually a New York City High School Guidance Counselor AND School Social Worker (TWO jobs - but still getting one paycheck...) Was a Global History and English teacher for six years prior to that. I recently joined the program --- my food delivery arrives on Wednesday --- will be starting on Friday though (can't miss Thanksgiving dinner --- I'm not that much of a martyr! LOL)

I absolutely LOVE my job --- BUT it is taking a TREMENDOUS toll on my waistline. I've always been an EMOTIONAL eater --- and dealing with so much pain, problems, ACS calls...breaks my heart and sometimes sends me running for the Vanilla Chocolate Chip Haagen Daz.

I've put on 13 pounds in the last FIVE MONTHS --- when you are 5'2 that is the equivalent of so much weight that I don't even recognize myself anymore.

When you work in a school there is never any time to eat...and whenever you have a moment a student, a colleague or administration are invariably pulling at you leaving you to gobble down whatever is at hand and I've been making TERRIBLE choices. It also doesn't help that my Principal was a professional chef "in another life" leaves homebaked treats in the staff lounge often...


All to say, it's wonderful to happen upon a thread made up with people who know exactly what I'm talking about.

I like the idea of the orange on the desk. I'll definitely be stealing that idea....

SW: 153
GW: 107

I know this was written a long time ago, but I was just reading it and felt like, Wow, that's me! I'm a teacher and I totally know what you mean about emotionally eating for the problems of others! When you combine the weight gain to it, it was just a never-ending cycle of work, get sad, eat, feel bad about eating, repeat.
Being on the Jenny program has definitely helped me to curb that. I am in my 7th week and have lost 15 pounds. I get the anytime bars, b/c they are quick and easy, but some days I'll have a yoghurt instead. In the first two or three weeks, I felt like I had to look at my menu all the time and remind myself when I got to eat next. Seems pathetic, but that's what it took for me to take it seriously. I hope you're finding those emotionally draining situations easier to manage now that you are mindful of the food you eat - that has definitely helped me! Good luck!

I'm a teacher of special needs children myself. Stress eating is a BIG factor in my job. Many of my co-worker keep the "chocolate" stash supply full. It's readily available for any that need the quick "fix". I've taken part of the drawer along with everyone else. The past two school weeks have been difficult. I had to think about my meals on a daily, even hourly basis. I had to make sure I was eating my menu and not what was from the drawer. My success for these first couple weeks..... I avoided the drawer!!

I taught 4th grade for five years. Here's what I learned:

1. Stay out of the Teacher's Lounge as much as possible. That's where the BAD FOOD lives.

2. Take your JC breakfast, JC lunch w/ a salad & dressings, all dairy, all fruits, and snacks to school everyday.
If you get hungry, you always have something "legal" to eat. If you don't finish everything, then bring it
home. Bring your JC dinner when you have an open house or conferences.

3. Get to school early if you can and shut your door. Have a cup of tea/coffee and your breakfast. It will
help set the tone for your day.

4. Make time to exercise before you go home. Bring clothes to keep in your car, or, on Fridays, wear a track
suit and sneakers if your school allows.

5. Oatmeal squares, honey oat bars, tuna/chicken salad kits, and soupitizers are very teacher friendly. Stash
a few in your desk, as well as salad dressings and sugar-free candy.

6. Keep the Dining Out guide and the pocket reference in your desk.

7. Eat breakfast a dairy and a fruit before you go to and inservice day training. Bring a fruit and snack with
you, even a salad. You can always count on doughnuts or pizza at a training.