Monday, August 9, 2010

My Left Hand

Entry #11
Weight 244.5 pounds. Loss of 3.5 pounds! Total loss: 14.5 pounds.

I'm very happy with my loss this past week. Taking in fewer calories and increasing my exercise program and time paid off.

My blogs will most likely decrease, at least for a short time. School is just around the corner and my time is going to be fairly limited. This year is going to be a little different and a tad more stressful, at least in the beginning.

Last year I was transferred from Van Allen School to Dent Elementary School because of fluctuating student numbers. It was a whole new world for me. For 22 years all I'd known in terms of teaching was small, rural schools where the student population didn't reach 200. Now I'm at the "big" school in town and things are very different. The other first grade teachers (there were seven total) were wonderful and the staff was very welcoming and patient with my constant questions. As the year wore on I really liked being there. I had a good class and enjoyed working with other teachers who were teaching the same grade I was.

Last Wednesday it was decided that Van Allen School would be opening up a second kindergarten class. I sent a letter of interest to the District Office letting them know I want to be considered for it. When I received the official notice, the deadline date for people wanting the position was listed as August 13, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. That's the Friday before the beginning of the school year! If I get to move back, I won't have to worry too much about my diet or exercise this weekend. There will be no TIME to eat.

As I wrote that last sentence I realized, though, that the reality may be just the opposite. Just about any time in the past when I had a lot of work to do at school (especially on a weekend), I "rewarded" myself with junk food. I didn't take the time to sit down and eat a real meal. So it was day-long snacking followed by stopping by McDonald's for a drive-thru dinner because, of course, I was way too tired to put something together for dinner.

So, if my weekend is spent moving and setting up a new classroom, I will be sure to plan my lunches and dinners and sit down to eat them. I've found that it's really true that if you eat slowly, you fill up faster and are satisfied with less food. Another tip I read or heard about is to try eating with your non-dominant hand. I'm right-handed so I've been eating with my left hand. It definitely slows down the pace. However, now I'm experiencing another problem. I'm getting really good at eating with my left hand!

4 comments:

  1. 1st grade-bless your heart! I am so in awe of people who voluntarily lock themselves in a room with 22 five and six year-olds for hours at a time. Y'all have a special place in heaven!
    I teach 8th grade English/Language Arts. I'm starting my 4th year and I love it! We go back the 16th as well. Commence the craziness LOL
    Thanks for your comment! I'm trying to take it a day at a time :)
    Your blog looks really good! I look forward to reading more :D

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  2. Kless,

    I so enjoy your blogging!!! And am so happy with your success.

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  3. Congratulations Jenn! You are doing great. I do hope you get to return to Van Allen if that's what you prefer. Our classes begin in MCS yesterday. So far my numbers are down, which is a strange phenomenon for me....only 25 and 31 students so far. Of course that usually fluctuates during the 1st 2 weeks. Keep up the good work!

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  4. Jennifer I am so impressed with your blog, honesty and determination. You are doing great! Van Allen is so lucky to have you back. We will miss you, Nicole H

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