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Do You Gain Weight in this Profession?
Ok so since I've started an in home daycare I've gained almost 15 pounds in a short amount of time. Does anyone else have this problem? I eat what I feed the kids (which is following the food program) for B-fast, Lunch and Snack and I'm constantly running after children so I don't get it. I guess I am just not being as careful with what I eat after hours because I'm not seeing as many people anymore so I don't feel like I need to stay thin and fit. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking about getting a healthy menu together so I am eating different very healthy things for ALL meals even though that means I'm eating differently than the children. But I can't continue gaining this weight. I'm feeling very self conscious and it's almost summer :-(
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I'm curious what you are feeding the kids? I am on the food program too, with a protein, grain, two veggies or fruits staying on track weight wise hasn't been too difficult.
I do find that I eat extra, less healthy foods when I get bored! -
I'm feeding them exactly what follows the food program guidelines.Comment
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Yes I have that problem as well. I just joined a gym and my trainer explained that the menu is great for children, not adults. He explained adults don't need as much protein and grains as the food program states children need. He said especially the amount of grains they require is not a healthy amount for adults and it helps the body to store more fat. I also find myself snacking during naps and extras at nap time.Comment
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I have actually lost weight. I think it is because I am trying to keep up with the kids and never have time to eat. I am feeding a baby in a highchair when the others are eating, so I only have time to grab something quick while cleaning up lunch.Comment
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My weight has stayed pretty much the same over the last 3 years. Actually it has gone down because I had my second daughter 3 years ago...but other than that it has stayed the same. I do want to lose 20 lbs though and I plan on working on that soon.
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OK...not to be annoying but...you may want to do a little more research. Your trainer's info on whole grains is way off. They are an excellent way to loose weight, lower cholestrol, reduce the risk of cardio-vascular disease, as well as alot of other health benefits.
I'm especially confused by his/her comment that grains store more fat. That would be (sort of true) of refined carbohydrates, such as white bread or rice, but not of whole grains which actually help reduce belly fat.
Sorry, I'm a total health food nut...Comment
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Um, I can honestly say that I've gained quite a bit of weight since oh, August. Something along the lines of 25-30 lbs.
HOWEVER, I'm very excited to be in this profession, as I see it as an instant (and free) post-pregnant weight loss program starting in another 6 weeks or so. I've actually had people comment with this pregnancy how I 'look much thinner even though I'm pregnant' than I did with the other two. I've also had some moms and friends of mine (that are also moms) ask if they can come hang out of a day a week and help me chase these monkeys around. Something about it being an enjoyable cardio workout. :
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So, looking at the whole big picture, I've lost weight since I started caring for kids.
On a side note, though I'm not an 'educated' health food nut (trying to make healthier choices though), I agree with Jen about the whole grains...Give a little love to a child, and you get a great deal back.Comment
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I have noticed the same for myself. I've actually lost weight also, but we have a pretty rowdy bunch that keep us constantly on our toes. Throughout the day, the only time we can really even sit down is at nap time while we're rubbing backs. I usually don't eat snacks with the children because there's too much other stuff to do, like cleaning up spilled milk, directing others back to the table, re-filling their drink, etc, and at lunch it's a pretty hectic time also, so there's not much time to eat. We eat on the go (there's cots to get out for nap, spilled milk/food to clean up, re-fills to get, toddlers to direct back to the table, on it goes) and it's usually pretty light whatever we do manage to get eaten.Comment
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I've gained weight. With carrying little ones up and down the stairs 6 or 7 times/day, pulling a wagon with 4 kids back and forth to the bus stop, and all the cooking, cleaning, and more cleaning, I should be losing weight. My problem is that when I'm busy, I tend to grab a high calorie granola bar or a couple of cookies instead of making something healthy to eat. Or if I'm having a stressful day, I reach for more snacks. I'm a small person, so every calorie counts for me, and my total intake should be 1200/day (the same as a toddler needs!), to maintain my weight (without losing any yet). If I eat whole-grains and proteins, I have to be VERY careful to not eat very much. It's better for me to stick to mainly fruits and veggies, and to save the rest for supper time (which is sit-down time with my family).
For those who are eating all the right things and still gaining -- take a look at how many actual calories you're eating. Even though it's healthy stuff, it may be too many calories for your body. It all boils down to math, regardless of what you're eating (yes, some foods help with calorie burning, but it's still just math). And the truth is, most activities that we're doing as daycare providers aren't cardio-type activities -- they don't actually burn that many calories. So even though we feel exhausted, it doesn't mean we've actually done that much to burn off the food we've eaten. What works for me, when I'm actually working at it, is to log all my food. People tend to underestimate how much they've eaten, and seeing it in black and white really helps. I log online at sparkpeople.com -- it's an awesome (and free!) site. Good luck!Comment
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Count me in on the overweight group. And when I go to conferences I see a much higher proportion of overweight foks than other jobs.
This is what I think. I think we are working at a high stress level most of the day. It's not to the level of fight-or-flight, but constantly ON. I think when our bodies are in that mode, everything turns to fat as part of the self-preservation process. We don't ever sit down and enjoy our meal in a relaxing way. We are grabbing a bite and cleaning up milk, or helping someone with washing hands. Just my thought.Comment
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I lost weight in the beginning but I'm starting to gain it back slowly but surely. I try to eat what the kids have but sometimes I have an extra few minutes to fix myself something different.
I've always had extremely high metabolism and never had to worry about it until a few years ago when I turned 25. With that being said, I am NOT a health nut and live on fast food whenever possible. I enjoy fast food and lose weight eating fast food (yes, I know a conundrum) but it's true. Now that I'm at home, I'm obviously eating healthier foods and over the years I've seen what "healthier foods" does to my weightgain. I've never understood this, the doctors cannot explain this and most women hate me for it! :-)Comment
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