[lnb4881]

Hello All,

I am a 2nd grade teacher that is finding it hard to diet on my schedule. I started the Extreme Fat Smash Diet in the summer, which worked well until I encountered chaos in my life and it was hard to stick to the every 4 hour eating schedule. I am now awaiting for Weight Watchers to start at my school (Our insurance plan pays for it). I find it hard to diet because of how my day progresses...I usually eat on my way to work 6:45-7:15. My planning is first thing in the morning 8:10-8:50 so I am not hungry then. I don't get to eat again until 12:30 for lunch. I think by this point, I am in hunger mode. Then I grab a snack of Goldfish for my ride home. Dinner is usually something quick that I can pick up. I am in the process of moving again, so I probably will not be doing any cooking. Can someone offer suggestions on how to diet as a teacher on this schedule?

[Lovely]

Hi there Inb4881!



Congratulations on the weight you've lost so far!

My first suggestion is to drop the word diet from your mentality. The thing about diets is that they tend to be restrictive and not in tune with our lives. They disrupt our daily routine. They intrude, and they are things that we think of as temporary. There will always be a party, a holiday, a busy work schedule, kids to look after, Saturday night dinners. That means there are only 2 weeks out of the entire year that are perfect to "diet".

This is life. So, life is exaclty what we have to work with. It means that what we have to do is not diet, but rework our normal. Our normal turns into meal planning, and shopping for the right meals. It turns into making all our lunches on Sunday, or getting up 15 minutes earlier every day to begin dinner for that night. It's small changes that we do permanently (although not always perfectly) that add up and allow us to eat healthier especially when times are hard.

What do you have on your way to work? Can you eat before you leave? Can you eat after you get to work so at least you're at your desk and not paying attention to traffic?

What do you have for lunch? Are you buying cafe food? Can you pack a good & filling meal instead?

Are you drinking water throughout the day? It's something small, but it does help keep us fuller longer, and keeps us hydrated. Or some quick cut up veggies to grab between lessons. A good snack!

Drop the goldfish crackers, and take an apple or pear to work with you to have before you leave or on your way home.

Dinners can be difficult, but they don't have to take a long time. In fact, lots of people prepare meals one day a week and then freeze them so that all they have to do is heat & eat. I usually keep one or two frozen dinners on hand for those evenings when I absolutely cannot bring myself to make anything.

I think it's fantastic that you're taking up the deal on Weight Watchers and that your insurance will cover it! I've been a Weight Watchers member for 17 months. There's a WW section under Diet Central if you want some meal ideas or just some people to talk with about the program.

You can do this!

[i am still trying]

Hi there, I am a teacher too and i taught Grade 2 for three years! I find it tricky but am wondering if you have recesses? It doesnt seem like your school does (hence only being able to eat at 12:30). I eat a berakfast at home, then a snack at recess but it is usually fruit b/c it's easy and quick. then I ALWAYS sit down for lunch for 30-40 mins. I eat different things lkike Lean cuisines, weggie chile that I make on Sunday and pre portion and freeze. It's easy to do that b/c I jut grab it out of teh freezer the night before, put it in the fridge and take it to work the next day. We also have afternoon recess so if I am hungry I have a small snack then too. When I get home I have a tea, and MAYBE some thing small before the gym (when I go) and them come home and eat a good dinner.
This is at my best though, dont get me wrong, some days don't look this good. I hope you do have recesses or else, ya that's a long time to go wothout eating!

[suenami]

Hi Latoya, welcome to 3FC

Sounds like you've gotten some great ideas so I'll just say--howdy

[BlzMaxGnrCCJkMly]

[greeneggsandtam]

Latoya! Hello!!
Yes there seems to be a lot of great advice here. I'd agree with the getting rid of the goldfish. Grab a bunch of fruit. The advantages are so many. It'll fill you up, keep you hydrated, you'll get your vitamins, it' ll keep you regular.....the goldfish do none of that.

[greeneggsandtam]

Whoops!! and I forgot...

[lnb4881]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I found out today that our WW meetings will start tomorrow, so hopefully I will get some insight. I want to drop this weight, even though it doesn't look bad....it feels bad. I have about 48 bottles of water in my fridge at school, but I try not to drink so much during the day so I won't have to make so many trips to the restroom. I typically only get to go once during the school day. Our recess is from 8:50-9:00 and after that I am teaching the rest of the day.

[suenami]

Originally Posted by lnb4881

not to drink so much during the day so I won't have to make so many trips to the restroom. I typically only get to go once during the school day. Our recess is from 8:50-9:00 and after that I am teaching the rest of the day.

DANG girl, I'd be wearing Depends!