Teachers are such good planners and organisers, they take care of their students and spend their free time marking and thinking about their next great lesson. It does not come as a surprise when many teachers, myself included, often neglect themselves. Prioritising yourself is not egoistic, it down right necessary. Looking after yourself, both mentally and physically, should be every teachers guilt-free priority. Only then, will you be able to cater for your students in the utmost best way, performing even better as a professional.

This year, my New Year’s resolution was to improve my eating habits and become more active. I had nailed it a couple of years back, but unfortunately lost it down the track, once more. I vowed I would find that mojo again and lose some excess weight I’d put over the Christmas holidays. On a venture to reach my ideal weight, I have started being good. In fact, I’ve been more than good, I’ve been REALLY good. Before you continue reading, this is not for me to show off but to motivate you to be good, too! If I can do it, then so can you! Here‘s to all of us being good, support is the best way through tough times, and you know those times can be tough, especially when little cupcakes are lurking around that staffroom corner!

I started by preparing my lunch for school, mainly on the weekends, as the weekdays can become ultra busy. Teachers are in a high, cognitively complex profession, so your brain and body need the right fuel for best performance. The busy life of a teacher can leave both food and fitness way at the bottom of that priority list, with top places being hijacked by marking and planning. Snacking on so called convenience foods that are high in saturated facts may seem like a quick fix at the time but is it really a good idea in the long run? We all know the answer to that question, it plain and simple, no!

So far here are the steps I have followed and they have led me to losing some pounds already! I’m by no means a doctor and this is not medical advice for losing weight, this is just my story of what I am doing. My motto is to keep my food clean, simple, sugar-free (that’s the hardest) and fresh. It is not a set diet and if anyone has any health issues they should consult their doctor before they take this on. This post is purely to support fellow teachers with a similar mindset.

HAVE A GOOD BREAKFAST: Investing in a juicer is one of the best investments I’ve made. I have been juicing every morning on any fruit and vegetable I can get my hands on.  I make the recipes as I go along and they usually taste surprisingly good – I highly recommend it. I complete breakfast with some protein, such as an egg on toast or some Greek yogurt and honey. This keeps me full till snack time.

DON’T SKIP SNACK:  This is when blood sugar levels usually go down and you head for that cupcake. Don’t do it! For snack I usually take a handful of nuts (full of protein and good fats) and a fruit. Fruits are the healthiest way to get a little sugar rush and to spike your sugar levels for a little extra energy. This will keep you full till lunch.

LUNCH: For lunch I take a packed lunch from home, usually with some leftovers from the previous day. A must is to prep a salad with it too. It’s so easy to neglect, but so important to include.

SNACK/DINNER: When I get home I will juice some more and I’f I’m still hungry I will have some soup, nuts and a yogurt or salad. I try not to eat after 7pm till the next day – some days this is easier than others.

I am now half-way towards my goal and happier. 🙂

Sending some teacher love out there to all my fellow colleagues fighting with those staffroom sweets. Be strong and resist and let’s get trim for the summer, together!

I would love to read your stories and thoughts! Leave a comment below. ❤

Till next time…

Featured image cupcake from dreamstime.com images.