W31, Day 4: Back to Work

In anticipation of returning to work, I have spent the last couple days getting my classroom ready for the new school year.  It's funny, but when most people talk about "New Year" they picture January 1st, whereas for me it always means August.  In years past, I have often been most successful at dieting from the start of school until Thanksgiving.  I hope it will be so this year as well, except that I need to show myself that I can make it through the holidays (we'll cross that bridge when we get to it).

With the exception of Friday Treats day, the routine of work helps me stay within my food limits because I am simply moving too fast to stop to snack, even if thirty-something little faces weren't there staring at me.  People often picture teaching as sitting at a desk all day while the kids work quietly at their desks and nothing could be further from the truth!  A teacher is on her or his feet all day, moving here, there, and everywhere, which is good for me in terms of weight loss.  I tend to slow down during the summer.  I've noticed it greatly the last two days.  On Wednesday I didn't go to the gym first time in the morning because I was eager to get going at work.  Even without kids, after spending a day in the room I was totally tuckered out by the time I got home.  I didn't make myself go to the gym, even though my husband went.

The next day I made sure I got up and got out to the gym before heading to the classroom for the day.  When I got home I was more tired than tired and fell asleep on the couch almost as soon as I walked through the door.  What the heck?  Where's my stamina?

I suppose it's this way every year.  I find myself wondering how I can muster up the strength (emotional as well as physical) to walk through that door on the first day of school and do what I need to do to the best of my ability.  The last few days of summer are mentally draining to me, not because my free time is almost over--yes, I know for those of you who are not teachers that our time off is an incredible luxury--but because I'm wondering if I can do it again.  Another year.  Do I have it in me?  Can I continue my gym time?  Do I have the strength to take those kids where they need to go? Can I do it?

Once the year begins it's like slipping into a familiar pair of jeans that you weren't sure would fit.  You realize that you've got this and can go on from there, it's just the nerves of those few days before that can wear you down a bit.  Whew.  Generally this would be the point where I would reach for some M&Ms to cheer me right on up, but instead I think I'll hit the gym.  I've got this.