List of little healthy changes
I don’t know if it’s because I’m beginning my third decade, or if being a newlywed has something to do with it, but I’ve somehow become less healthy than I used to be. I don’t like to think of it as “letting myself go,” but all the classic signs are there. My clothes are fitting tighter, skin that used to be firm and tight is now jiggly and saggy, my back and shoulders feel like someone wound me up and forgot to let go, I’m even experiencing new allergies that give me wicked sinus headaches and consent pressure in my ears. I can’t fairly blame my husband…yes, we go out to eat most weekends, but he doesn’t force me to order those juicy burgers and yummy, cheesy, quesadillas, or my newest weakness, Patron margaritas (I will give my dear friend Mysti some of the blame for that last one). I’m not sure why my exercise habit went out the window, but for the last year and a half you’d be more likely to find me curled up on the couch in the afternoon, dozing off to HGTV, rather than hitting the gym (I cringe when I see the monthly charge, trying not to count how many weeks it’s been since I’ve entered the building). Since last fall, when I made the mistake of having a fitness profile done at our gym, I’ve been trying on and off to get myself in shape again. I did really well for about two and a half months…then the holidays hit, winter set in, and I was stuck in the house for ten snow days with nothing to do but…you know. Eat. But now spring is in full swing, and I’m ready to hit the ground running. Literally. I’m trying not to burn myself out and relapse back onto the couch with a bowl of popcorn in my lap, so I’m taking it slow. Here’s a list of a few of the small changes I’m making to restore myself to glowing health:
1. Eating more fruits and…never mind, just more fruit
Hey, anyone who know me can tell you I don’t like to eat my vegetables. I think I might be a supertaster for bitter, so those veggies are just harder for me to put in my mouth than other people. Maybe not. Anyway, I figured I’d better start somewhere, and since all fruits are now zero points on Weightwatchers.com, I decided that was a good place to start. I have an apple with my sandwich, Clementine oranges with my afternoon snack, and recently I’ve changed up my breakfast from cereal to greek yogurt and a banana. I’m really looking forward to summer now, and all those yummy peaches and nectarines!
2. Training with the program couch to 5k
I used to run. It took me a while to build up to where I could run for any distance at all, but after I got to that point I loved it! I’ve decided to try to get back to running. I downloaded this nifty app for my iPhone that paces you so that you slowly go from no exercise to running a 5k. You just turn on your music and the program, and a gentle voice tells you every minute or so to “run now” and “walk now.” Apparently I need to slow it down even more. I first tried the program right before we left for Disney World, but by week 2 my bad knee was giving me fits (old ballet injury). After we got back from Florida I decided to start over, this time stretching out the pace (doing each phase for 2 weeks instead of 1) and icing my knee after every run. So far it’s worked. My knee hasn’t hurt me at all, and I’m slowly starting to enjoy it (the first week was pure torture, but I’m pretty sure today I went for a whole 90 seconds of running without wanting to collapse). My goal is to work my way up to being able to run with Mysti (why aren’t those margaritas affecting her health, huh?) without dying. I’ll keep you posted.
3. Using a nasal flush
I’ve always been one of those people who watched commercials for products like the “neti-pot” and heckled the stupid consumer who would buy something like that. Why in the heck would you want to pour water up your nose? Isn’t that like water-boarding yourself? And how to you pour water up your nose anyway? Doesn’t that offend all the laws of gravity and decency? Well, after suffering through yet another debilitating sinus headache, my colleague told me I had to try a saline rinse. Her description of the pressure disappearing and the pain melting away prompted me to try it. I turned down the cute little nose teapot for a squeeze bottle, but the principle is the same. With great trepidation I warmed the solution in the microwave, then stood over the sink with my mouth wide open, trying not to breathe or drown as I forced the water up my nostril. It’s kind of a weird sensation, but really not that different from the feeling you get when you swim underwater, only the rest of you is dry. And low and behold, it worked! I really did feel the pressure dissipate! I’ve become a convert, though I’m nowhere near as dogmatic as those disciples who rinse every day. I usually wait until the headache is already in full force before pulling out my squeeze bottle. Hmm…maybe I should try it more often…
So that’s about it. Like I said, I’m starting slow. I do feel better, though the results are not as apparent on the scale or in my waistband. Still, if I stick with it there’s bound be be an improvement, right? Of course sticking with it is the hard part…do you have any health tips or tricks to share? Please do! I need all the advice and encouragement I can get!
List of ways to keep students occupied A.T. (after testing)
The Good News: Benchmark testing is over!! The big one…the one we work all year to prepare the kids for…the one that really “matters”…the one that can affect our school improvement status (thank you No Child Left Behind)…the aptly titled “high-stakes testing” (because it really is a crap shoot)…DONE! The students were ready and confident, took the test seriously and worked really hard. I absolutely think they put forth their best effort, which is all we teachers can really ask for.
The Bad News: Benchmark testing is over! We put so much emphasis on the test beforehand, and let out such an audible sigh of relief at its conclusion, the kids think that’s it, school’s over. Unfortunately, we still have 7 weeks (and 2 days) of class left. We’ve covered all our standards, the students are restless and unmotivated, and getting them excited about schoolwork at this point in the year is nothing short of miraculous. Hmm…what’s a teacher to do?
1. Teach a unit on Greek Mythology
Okay, now I know this sounds like an extremely dry and uninteresting subject. Trust me, it’s not. Have you ever heard what the ancient Greeks believed about their gods? Did you know the Titan Cronus ate all of his children to prevent them from overthrowing him like he had done to his own father Uranus? Have you tried saying the name “Uranus” to a group of 7th graders? Did you know Cronus’ wife tricked him with the youngest child, Zeus, giving him a rock to swallow instead? Did you know that Zeus married his sister, Hera, and then ran around on her with countless goddesses and mortal women? And don’t even ask where Aphrodite really came from (I made the mistake of telling my 1st hour…I think I’m still blushing). Yep…Greek mythology – the original soap opera. The kids are begging for more.
2. Take the students to Fastlane
For those of you not from Northwest Arkansas, I’ll explain. Fastlane is one of those multiplex “family fun centers” with bowling, laser tag, go-carts, and arcade games. We’re taking most of the 7th grade there this Wednesday. How do we manage it? It’s a reward trip naturally. Students are assigned a reading goal every quarter, and every kid who makes their goal is eligible for a reward trip. 1st quarter it’s “book, blankets and BBQ” in the park, 2nd quarter we go to the All-Star Sports Arena (indoor volleyball and basketball courts and a large covered soccer field). The 3rd quarter Fastlane trip is by far the most exciting. Of course for the kids this is prime social time…a huge treat to hang out with all their school friends at once. Girls walk around in small packs…boys swarm around them like bees, just looking for a way in…huge amounts of ice cream and candy are consumed, causing voices to rise higher and higher and laughter to grow more and more frantic…friendships are formed…and destroyed…budding relationships bloom…hearts get broken…it’s all very exciting. Gossip Girl has nothing on a group of middle-schoolers set loose.
3. Organize an Easter egg hunt
Again, this is a reward party…this time for those students who made it through a whole quarter with less than 5 strikes (our behavior management system.) This is no Sunday school picnic though…these eggs contain some special surprises. Yes, we’ve filled about 200 with jelly beans and other Easter candy (no Peeps though…too messy, and once you cram them into an egg they’re pretty unrecognizable). We’ve also inserted some hall passes, strike eliminators, and homework extensions. The real surprise though will be for the unsuspecting student who opens their egg only to find something less appetizing. Some abc gum scraped off the underside of a desk…a sucker stick someone left on the classroom floor…a broken pencil…3 or 4 dried crickets (our English teacher is contributing these gems…he bought a whole can). Hopefully the “rotten eggs” will be equally distributed. We’re allowing each kid to collect 5 eggs. I’ll let you know how it goes…
That’s about as far as I’ve gotten in my post-testing lesson planning. I’m also planning some Reader’s Theaters (like a play where the actors read from their scripts). The kids love the chance to get up and show off in front of their classmates – it’s just like American Idol, except instead of sour notes and bad keys we’ll be treated to robotic voices and comical mispronunciations. Such fun. Some of the students really shine of course! =) I’m pretty sure I have at least 1 budding Ryan Seacrest, 2 or 3 George Lopezes, and dozens of Miley Sirus wannabees.
I’m looking forward to having the pressure off and time to do some fun projects and activities. Of course with 7th graders they will take every advantage. As Sebastian quipped in The Little Mermaid, “Teenagers. Give them an inch, and they’ll swim all over you.” By next week the fun times may be out the window and I’ll have my students sitting in rows, reading from their literature books. You just never know…
List Lady 