The View from the Classroom

I know it’s a little late, but I don’t have the free time I had in the summer, so I write when I can.  I had intended to write this on Tuesday, but better late than never, right?

Say "September 11" and any American knows what you’re referring to.  Like most of you, I remember details of that day like it happened yesterday even though I was many miles away and had no one close to me personally impacted by the day’s events.  However, unlike most of you, I have another reason for remembering September 11 in such vivid detail.  My birthday.  Yes, my birthday is September 11. 

2001.  Earlier that year, my mom passed away from lung cancer after being a lifelong smoker finding it hard to quit even after being diagnosed.  Earlier that year, I was laid off a job for the first time in my life.  And, that very same year, on the 35th anniversary of my birth, the country was being terrorized.  I spent that day glued to the tv, in shock, crying, trying to make sense of something so tragic happening on the very day that I should have been celebrating my life.  Was it fair for me to celebrate amidst such tragedy?  What message was I supposed to get from this?  What lesson was I to learn?  There had to be SOME reason this was happening on MY birthday!!

I must say that 2001 was a major turning point in my life.  With all of the aforementioned events occurring one after another, it would have been easy to continue on the path I was on…sleepwalking through my life, going through the motions…to let the events get me down.  September 11, though, woke me up so to speak.  I really got that life is a gift and we never know when it will end.  I made a decision that year to change my life.  It wasn’t a sudden thing and the changes definitely took a long time to materialize, but the decision was there.

First, I changed careers.  Not easy given the amount of money I was used to making and one of the scariest things I ever did.  Sacrifices had to be made, but, in the end, well worth it.

Next up…I tackled my physical self…started eating a little better and eventually started working out some.  Like a lot of people though, I was inconsistent and thus, results were too.  However, unlike most people, I didn’t give up.  I had made the decision to do it and by God, I was going to do it.  I just needed to get serious.  So I did.  In the fall of 2005 (yes, it took awhile), sitting in a room full of overweight teachers (self included) in staff development, I was thinking to myself, we’re supposed to be role models!  I get disgusted with myself thinking about the fat, out-of-shape person I let myself turn into.  That was the exact moment though that I chose to "get serious".

The rest is history so to speak.  I got serious, got in shape, started really living my life instead of going through the motions.  I’m proud to say I’m 41.  I look and feel better (in my opinion) than I’ve ever looked or felt in my entire life.  I could run circles around the person I was at 35 or even 25 for that matter.  Yes, 2001 was a year of tragedy, but, at the same time, a turning point in my life that I must remember.

Those few of you that have been keeping up with me know that this past week was my first week of school with students.  You also know that I haven’t been on here AT ALL….a testament to how darn busy I have been.  Busy isn’t bad.  Just different when you’re used to no structure whatsoever in your day.  Anyway, thought I’d write and let y’all know how it went…

First, I’m not used to the "1st week" of school being a full week.  In all my 5 years of teaching, students have never started on a Monday.  In my pre-teaching days, I thought that was just plain stupid, but shortly after my very first "week" of school, I changed my thinking on that.  The first days of school are a big adjustment for teachers and students.  Routines (including ones for sleep) must be established and the teacher’s body must adjust to being on the feet constantly while talking much more than usual.  Additionally, for us bodybuilding, diet-conscious teachers, diet and workout routines must be adjusted to fit the working life that we so quickly erased from our memories upon hitting the first day of summer break.

So….my first week…workouts were mostly great…I made both of my 5:30am cardio sessions though I was questionning my sanity all the way to the gym both times…afterwards, I felt great, so I was glad I made it, especially on Thursday…I was one of the few teachers NOT looking like I’d been beaten up and battered just wanting to crawl into a hole for the rest of the year…

Weights were lifted in the evenings and there was only one day where I was really feeling weak…Wednesday…chest and tri’s…started off great…8 reps at 95lbs on the bench press…I know you’re thinking 95lbs? that’s all?  For me that is an awesome feat…most I’ve lifted in a way long time…and to do it for 8 reps (ok, maybe it was 6 with a little help from hubby on the last 2), I was proud of myself…I think that zapped me though…let’s just say I finished the workout, went home, ate, fixed my meals for Thursday and hit the sack…I slept wonderfully well.  (Remember, I had to get up the next morning for my 5:30am cardio!)  Felt MUCH stronger Thursday evening and had a pretty good leg workout…still taking it a little easy, but have managed to add squats, leg press and extensions to my workouts…feeling REALLY good about that!

Diet…mostly clean, which since I’m bulking, that’s what it’s about, right?  Staying MOSTLY clean?  Days were easy…I had my meals prepared and didn’t touch the crap in the lounge…donuts, mainly…I was literally STARVING in the evenings the first couple of days…wanted to eat everything in sight, but did ok (not great, just ok)…adjusted the amounts of food I took to school with me toward the end of the week and wasn’t quite so hungry those evenings. 

My trainer and I decided that Friday evening would be my official cheat evening (I’ve NEVER really had an official cheat anything!).  I looked forward to it all week…hubby and I decided on a restaurant only to find a cardboard "closed" sign on the door.  So, we tried a mediterranean grill place that we hadn’t been to…it was good, but really not cheat worthy…the entrees were pretty clean…I felt a little cheated on my cheat meal….not to worry…being the ice cream junkie that I’ve become, I opted for the double dip hot fudge sundae with reeses peanut butter cups sprinkled on top later that evening…now that’s what I’m talking about!!  YUM-O :) 

So now it’s the weekend…I’m catching up on my sleep…slept til 6:30 yesterday and 7:15 today and I get to sleep in tomorrow too…woohooo!!!!….gonna do some shopping with my daughter (unless her other plans pan out…teenagers…that’s ok, it will be her loss)…catch up on my magazine reading…do a little bit of work…teachers ALWAYS take work home…and just plain relax a little…