psh17's Journal, 07 Dec 20

Try going for a quick shower after dinner! I have my shower after work instead of in the morning. It gives me a chance to "decompress" and think about my day and what I'm going to eat for dinner so I can plan on something healthier than just grabbing whatever because I'm hungry. In your case you could have dinner with the in-laws and have the shower after. Exhaustion is mental too not just physical and you might be napping and waking up starving as a coping mechanism. You may just need that few minutes of alone time, with no one putting demands on your time and attention to recharge 👍  

I've done that a time or two, but I'm not good at decompressing in the shower - it wakes me up and I get thinking more, plus I know I'll wake up with a random chunk of hair sticking straight up at the center back. That said, I think alone time to decompress is something I need. It's likely more than just work of course, all of the everything with Covid is so different as well. Back before all this, I'd go for a walk in the mall - it's 2 miles in a figure 8, and I found it so rejuvenating to do it when it wasn't full of people with their noses hanging out.  

When I was going through some rough times I would buy a coffee after work and go park by the lake. I'd drink it just listening to music in my car if it was too cold out, sitting on a park bench if it was warm. Whether I had 15 minutes or 30 it always made me feel better. It was my time out for myself. I even remember once telling my daughter that I needed a time out and she understood and left me alone for a few minutes 😆 I'm lucky I have naturally curly hair so if it's damp at bedtime and all over the place in the morning it's pretty normal lol 

I find green apples are very helpful for when I have a sweet tooth! And chug water down so that you would feel filled! 

what if you prepare a raw veggie container twice a week to keep in the fridge for quick grabbing? 

Try having a protein shake or a tbsp of peanut butter or almond butter with some veggies. Easy to prepare and keeps you from eating junk! 

All good suggestions. Look up a breathing technique from yoga called “Breath of Fire”. It takes practice but it can help to wake you up. 

instead of napping after dinner try going for a brisk walk. if you are hungry in the evening after dinner have a high protein snack and drink some water. Go to bed in a decent time if able and avoid the nap.  

teaching sucks the life out of you, this coming from a recently retired teacher. my vice was wine immediately after getting home. the only thing that worked was changing the routine. perhaps the in-laws would understand if you needed a walk after school and ate dinner later alone. 

I think I'm going to go to a local park after work as often as I can for a walk - when the weather is nice I'll walk more, when it's gross I'll walk less. It's only in the past couple of weeks that this has been happening so hopefully with a bit of decompression the exhaustion and feelings of starvation will ebb. Today's re-teaching went really well, and I came home with a ton of energy and no desire to either have coffee or any crazy snacks (although it is only 5:30). I'm posting separately about the timing of meals...we had a family argument on that front tonight... 

Some simple meal prepping would help Like keeping a container of cut up carrots or fruit in the fridge so a healthy choice is always ready and easy to grab I live with my boyfriend He is tall and skinny so he isn’t dieting with me I have a segregated cupboard for dry goods and my own shelf in the fridge I also have my own freezer so I just ignore all food that isn’t mine I literally put myself to the mindset that if it doesn’t come out of my cupboard, fridge shelf or freezer I’m not eating it I hope this helps I have tried to diet before and failed due to the same issues So I’m trying this approach I started at 320 lbs in October and I’m down to 290 today I’m doing great with this and it is helping I’m also keeping a big empty box for clothes that are too big I’ve already put 2 pairs of jeans in it I call it my motivation box I want to fill it Anytime I feel weak and want to cheat I just look at the box and remind myself why it’s there and how good it feels to put something in it 

Sounds like you need to refill your tank with some self love and self care, make sure nothing is going on like a nutritional deficiency and give yourself space to catch up to your busy life. 

@psh17 - I'm glad that you've identified some things to look at. If this has come on out-of-the-blue, a visit to the dr may help. However, taking a walk after work and changing dinner times sound great! Would it be possible for your partner & in-laws to help with parts of dinner like chopping veggies, marinating meat or putting the rice on to boil? Something they can manage, and could also help them to feel like they're contributing to the household? Or, maybe 1 or 2 nights of the week, they could plan their fave meal (or one of their signature shazaam dishes). This might turn out to be fun for them, while taking some of the heat off of you?  

It's not really out of the blue in that it has happened before in my life in general, but not in a long, long while. Like @bunny1960 said, teaching sucks the life out of you. In general, we do menu planning and my hubby and I share most of the work (or take turns). His parents are a long story as well, but I'd just as soon they stay out of the kitchen completely. One thing they both like is what hubby and I call "lard potato beef surprise." I didn't mean for it to sound like I was the only one preparing meals - the timing thing is mostly out of respect for what the in-laws want so that they are included at dinner and wasn't a problem in summer or while doing virtual teaching. I think this is a me thing, and a stress thing, especially given that my job at work this quarter is convincing 7 14yo athlete-type boys with significant reading or processing difficulties that English is their favorite subject. They are great boys, but it's a hell of a steep hill I clime every afternoon! 

@psh17. I totally hear you. Sometimes it's just easier to keep folks out of your hair. As for teaching, I do a bit now and again for motivated paying adults... and it's an energy-zapper for sure. I can't imagine it everyday to a class full of young'uns! Wowzas!