3 replies to this topic

[cbateach]

I have been on the program since May and was so motivated when I began. Now that school has started (I am a third grade teacher and going back to school for my ELL certificate), I am so overwhelmed with responsibilities and emotion! I am tired, hungry and unmotivated to eat right and exercise. I have lost 10 pounds, but have another 20 to go! Anybody out there in the same boat?

[I Called Jenny]

Well I'm sorry you've hit a bump. But we all do.

But you answered your own question. Or more to the point, only YOU can answer the question about your motivation.

Why did you start with JC to begin with besides wanted to lose weight. That's a nice bonus to the program but if you want to stay on track for the long haul, you have to recognize that this is more than a diet. It's a learning tool. And as a teacher you should relate to that.

JC will allow you to develop a totally new relationship with food that should last you a lifetime.

One of my favorite "tricks" is to take the food out of the container and put it on a regular dinner plate. It's VERY helpful to recognize what "normal" portions should look like.

I'm sure you're busy. There are lots of folks who also have demanding jobs and, yes, it does make it more difficult - but not impossible.

OK, so you can't eat in between break. I bet, however, that you can drink some V-8 low sodium with no difficulty during you breaks.

You do have opps to either take your kids on "walks" around the school to learn things on occasion or find another teacher who will be willing to eat a quick lunch and spend the rest of your break taking a walk. It will energize you.

So decide why you want to lose the weight. While looking thinner is good, if you can find a longer, term goal (getting healthier, wanting more energy, being a better role model to your students (and possibly your own children) are all great motivators.

You can do this no matter how difficult or stressful your job is. It just takes a little planning and as a teacher, you have the skills to plan well.

I KNOW you can do this. So just do it!

Phyllis

[Mrs. Kite Lady]

cbateach--Phyllis is right. You plan for everyone else like your students and kids, you need to plan for yourself too. It's not a sin to make yourself a priority once in a while. You don't have to make big changes or a lot of them all at once. Make one or two a week.

Think about how you can work in your JC meals at school and a little added exercise during breaks, lunch or after school. Discuss your options and plans with your JCC. She can help you along and may have more ideas too when you discuss your day's routine in detail.

I was having motivational issues too--and it put me on a plateau for the last 6 months. I've decided to take a pro-active attitude and implementing a few small changes. Walking a little more only 3 times a week for starters, wearing lipstick to keep from snacking between meals (I don't want to eat it off after I've put it on) and finding little ways to keep my hands busy instead of feeding my face. It's working, last week I was down 0.3 and this week 1.2 lbs. I'm headed in the right direction.

Good luck,
Donna

[turtlesek]

I'm in that boat, too! I've plateaued for a while now and had lost my motivation. I think that starting the school year is a big stressor - let alone going back to school yourself! Recently, I've found that having a motivating coworker is helpful. I compete with my partner teacher across the hallway to see who can log the most steps per day on our pedometers. We also plan after school walking dates or we attend a class together at the gym immediately after school. I find when I'm busy with work/teaching I forget to exercise. I start to feel icky without realizing what is causing it...this then causes me to lapse into bad eating. So having a "backup system" for exercise at work helps me out a lot. I hope this is helpful to you!