This is my first year as a full-time probationary teacher and I can't believe this year is almost over.  I have found it very hard as a yo-yo'er to get through this school year.  Last year I lost 20 lbs by the summer, but once school started this year, I gained the 20 lbs. back in 4 months. 

I work in the high school as an ESL teacher.  Since I have to be there at 7:00, I too feel that getting there at the last minute would never work for me.  I usually get to work somewhere around 6:00.  I feel my day goes better when I allow enough time in the morning to take my time.  I wake up around 4:30 every morning and find it difficult to stay away from the treats in my closet for the kids.  Sometimes I even find it difficult to sit down and eat.  I constantly have kids coming in and out of my room (asking for help or just looking for someone to talk to) since my classroom is one of the only places that they can be themselves without others staring at them. 

Also, being such a nice teacher, I find it hard to tell the students to leave at the end of the day.  They stay after school for extra help and then end up staying for hours.  The day technically ends at 2:15, but I have students sometime stay till 4:00.  At this point I have been up for 12 hours and still have to straighten up my desk and pull myself together before I leave.  Getting home between 5 and 6, immediatly making dinner and then finally collapsing to go to bed whenever I can I find it very difficult to work in an exercise routine.  If I woke up any earlier I think I would fall asleep standing up (I do that now anyway) and afterschool I feel useless.  I do try and go up and down the stairs as many times as possible during the day, but I still feel like I am not doing enough.

I stay out of the lounge, so food is not tempting me.  I find that it has made me an unsocial outcast from other teachers and at points regret my retreat to a classroom at lunch time.  For food I try and balance something healthy, usually leftovers from dinner, a yogurt and some fruit.  Any other ideas for some "fast food" that is easy to make?  I like the idea of making and freezing the breakfast burrito.  So, any other fast or make ideas, please share...

I am a 3rd year 8th grade E/LA teacher and I'm kind of new to Alli...noticed your thread and thought that you might be able to offer some insight.  I decided to start once summer break started (you know...to avoid any unfortunate "accidents" in the classroom).  Did you find it manageable?

I found alli very manageable.  You just have to remember to watch what you eat, everything in moderation.  As long as you stick to the plan you will have no accidents.  It's when you start cheating that you pay the price.  Also, effects aren't always the same day.  If I cheated on something at night I would have effects the next day in the afternoon.  I think the hardest part for me was just remembering to take the pill.  I stopped taking it for the last couple weeks because things have been crazy at school and my schedule wasn't very regular.  I just started taking it again yesterday.  I have lost about 20 lbs on it so far this year.

I have written earlier to say I am a substitute teacher. As it turns out, next fall I will be working full time for the first 7 weeks as a maternity leave sub. I think having a routine where I am in the same school every day during the same hours will be helpful to my eating plan. I plan to bring a lunch the vast majority of time so that I know what calories and fat I am eating.

The summer will be another challenge altogether. No work, kids home or at camp, two week vacation out of the country... a lot of variables going on. I am focusing on listening to what my body needs and not overfeeding it or starving it.

E

I've taught high school math for 7 years, and began taking Alli at the end of last summer.  I lost 20 lbs, but with my hectic schedule I began to forget taking the pills.  Eventually I stopped, but somehow I've managed to keep off those 20 lbs!  I'm restarting now, and look forward to more weight loss.

I yoyo quite a bit.  I have never managed to keep it off.  I was on Alli last year and lost almost 30 lbs.  I gained 25 back and then i went back on it this year and lost 28 lbs bringing me back to where I was last year.  With the end of the year I keep forgetting to take Alli, so I decided to start taking it once summer starts again.  Hopefully then I can commit myself fully to my health.

 I too am an English teacher with 3 small children at home and would love some friends who have a similarly crazy schedule!

 This will be my 7th year teaching HS Business/Computers/Journalism.  I am a single mom with three kids ages 11, 13 and 14.  I just started the meal plan for Alli yesterday and am going to be 'practicing' until Monday when I'll start taking the pills.   I'd love to drop even 5lbs before school starts in 4 weeks, and I think I'm well on my way to doing that. Anyone else who is starting up Alli this school year?

Hello,

I am not a teacher, but a High School Principal in Idaho. I had taught for six years prior to becoming a Principal. I have been a principal for two years now.  I would think that I am so busy and active during the school day that I would lose weight, or at least maintain my weight. However in the past two years I have probably gained 30 pounds. I think it may have something to do with the stress level. Also, when I was teaching, I also coached football, wrestling, and track. Now as Principal I am dealing with athletic issues, instead of athletic teams. I actually start in one week from today, so I wanted to get going with the pills for a week prior to officially starting (in fear of TE's). 

Ben

Good Luck Ben!  I'm going to add you to my circle so we can help encourage each other this school year.  I can't believe you start that early, but then administrators usually come back way before teachers and students. 

Here's to a healthy year!

LL