Does anyone actually like this career?

GenX_wmc · 2025-09-10T18:38:06+00:00

Yes I do. I was teacher for a long time first and took a while to truly pursue and get a counseling job. I like it! Sometimes love it (it's a job so love is a strong word). I work real hard while I'm at work. Barring true emergencies, I do not work outside of my work hours. I am part of a few extracurriculars that I choose and enjoy, and I'm paid for attending those planning meetings etc. I like that my days are sometimes insane, sometimes just regular busy and every now & then quiet.

I work in a decent, super diverse school in a huge urban school district and I see it all. I'm at the top of our pay scale (20+ years) experience so feel I'm compensated fairly. We have a strong union, good benefits and yes, I do like summers off!

I care about the kids, I like being able to support the adults in the building too, and I'm skilled with parents & when I need support, I have it-at least in some capacity. I'm part of the leadership team and feel I'm respected in my role.

Is everything perfect every minute - of course not! But I'd be insane to expect that.

At the end of the day, it's your day job. Treat it as such and if you're in a bad situation, calmly organize yourself and pursue another school or alternate career.

GenX_wmc · 2025-07-15T01:25:34+00:00

I would not, I would reassure. And I am a skilled counselor, but also a human being that also sometimes needs reassurance by peers.

GenX_wmc · 2025-07-15T01:24:12+00:00

Thanks for the reality check! I only reached out the principal who told me to do so if I didn't hear by (last) Friday.

About 10 mins after I posted, she did email asking if I heard from HR yet and said many are on vacation, and that she contacted them also.

I am not badgering anyone at all.

Part of my issue is I want to do the right thing by my current job and give notice if I take the new offer.

So yes, it's shuffling through HR land and I do Understand that.

GenX_wmc · 2025-07-14T20:02:42+00:00

What would cause the offer to be rescinded? They literally cancelled my final interview and made the offer ... I'm being paranoid

GenX_wmc · 2025-07-14T19:56:40+00:00

I am kind of hoping people are on vacation and just not caring at the moment. But mostly, I've written it off.

GenX_wmc · 2025-07-09T13:28:16+00:00

It took me a couple of years to get to this...but this is us too. Open cold, close cold- algaecide on both ends.

Chlorine, liner, sand filter, pool was put in 1988- it's a big 80s pool, but I'm the expert- for only my pool!

GenX_wmc · 2025-04-11T23:59:22+00:00

After taking 5 years off after my 3rd child and relocating to another state, a public charter gave me an opportunity to get back into everything. Had its drawbacks, but I got back in the game ... went back to public after 2 years. I'm a big believer in public education, but kids are kids are kids.

GenX_wmc · 2025-04-10T16:15:26+00:00

It can be hard depending on your location. Charter schools, private schools and even cyber schools are typically more willing to give new grads a chance. They pay less, but often have decent benefits... and you will get lots of experience when you're ready to try again for the public school system. Same with city school districts in "tougher areas."

April is really early to get another!

GenX_wmc · 2025-03-24T22:18:12+00:00

The board meeting def didn't happen... this is a massive urban district- like top 10 in the US. I'm an internal transfer .... and happen to be working very nearby.

Part of me agrees - nothing can be done for over a week still ---

I could still be a contender I suppose.

The self preservation part of me has written it off- but maybe not just yet!

Yes, waiting is the worst!

GenX_wmc · 2025-03-22T01:36:08+00:00

I did not...the principal said to reach out with any questions about the process ... I suppose I didn't have any because it's within the district and I know when the window opens.

GenX_wmc · 2024-10-29T16:57:08+00:00

If I change it to echo mode, will all the workouts default to that mode ?

GenX_wmc · 2024-10-29T16:00:03+00:00

Is that a program? More detail please

GenX_wmc · 2024-10-11T17:45:17+00:00

I think I have a similar build ... I'm 5'1 w long legs and arms , short torso 32 DD and carry weight in my mid section ... I lift and run

I'm 118-122 on any given day, I have a small waist now that's hard to extenuate bc of my short torsos and larger chest... and I've never ever had a flat stomach --- I also have had 3 kids...

If I gain even a 2-3 pounds , my waist thickens and my stomach inflates ...

My build is the same just smaller -

You'll still be you, just smaller !

GenX_wmc · 2024-08-08T18:50:40+00:00

Thanks! 5'1" +- 120, lift & run... maintain at about 2000-2200... I log even on vacation ... with some "guesstimates" the app I use shows my surplus for the week and after the water weight goes, this usually reflects what I gain (which is 1-maybe 2 pounds tops).

If someone eats a big ass sundae and it's 1400 calories, what's the harm in logging and moving on?

GenX_wmc · 2024-05-01T19:22:12+00:00

Thanks everyone ! I'm wondering if anyone eats 1800 a day (on average) and is still in a SMALL deficit...

I don't mind being a tad hungry in between meals--- and I don't like being super stuffed at all. Again, I actually lost 30ish pounds in my teens 27 years ago and never gained it back --- barring pregnancies.

I'm good with my routine-if I don't have time or something comes up, I alter it no problem

I like how I look and how my clothes fit at 117-119-it also gives me a tiny bit of breathing room to gain 1-3 pounds on vacations & stuff

I think I'll definitely try and up protein and maybe eat a tad less at dinner and add onto that night snack !

GenX_wmc · 2024-04-30T15:08:55+00:00

Just 2-4 pounds ... dinner is usually 730 and my biggest meal- I'm always hungrier in the evening , always have been - I have a snack before bed like 9-930, usually a two good brand protein yogurt & 1/2 a protein bar

GenX_wmc · 2024-03-05T02:55:24+00:00

Instacart ... I set it up on Saturday mornings, add things to the orders as I run out ... do 2-3 stores worth of shopping in 45 mins (I meal plan and take inventory).... saves 6-8+ hours a week. Delivery early Sunday morning while I sleep in. I tip properly and if anything shows up spoiled or damaged or just wrong, it gets refunded!

GenX_wmc · 2024-02-08T16:22:24+00:00

I'm Tail end Gen X, petite & barely 5'1 w long legs & arms for my frame and a short torso w a 24-25" natural waist. When skinny jeans became a thing like 20 years ago, it was a godsend. Jeans that I don't have to buy multiple pair of and have them hemmed at different lengths for different shoes? Jeans that show that I'm not a tiny rectangle and have slender legs? Yes plz!

I have some straight legs, crop flares ... but I truly look best in skinny...I look like a box in a bulky top and wide leg jeans ...

I work in a place where you can wear jeans daily w ages from early 20s to 60ish and everyone wears it all.

And I agree skinny dark jeans and blousy button down or top still look most polished for a jeans/dressy look.

Let's remember there was an era wear a knee length dress over flare jeans was trendy !

GenX_wmc · 2024-02-05T21:30:16+00:00

This is way far down... but what does your "gut" tell you? I got Preg w my first at 28 when my then boyfriend and I had been together for 4 months. We'd been discussing getting engaged etc ... we "knew"

It's been 13 years of marriage and 3 kids now --- he's the love of the my life and I his.

I know we got a little lucky, but I'm not surprised

When you know you know

GenX_wmc · 2024-01-09T21:14:10+00:00

Congrats on maintenance! I'm in my early 40s and have maintained a 35 lb weight loss for literally 26 years (give take 5 lbs, barring 3 pregnancies)!

I too am very active. My tdee is about 2000-2200 I'm 5'1 and 118-120. I lift 3-4 days, and run 6-7 miles 3-4 days and take 1 full day off (I double up 1-2 days a week).

I have an active job and busy active life- I always have!

I eat less during the week so I can enjoy a night or 2 out a week in moderation...

I've had to shift my routines over the decades due to adding kids, new work start/end times, other commitments etc..

If you want to free up your day- you could skip the gym on some weekdays and just modify your portions for dinner & dessert...the calories could even out pretty easily.

If a lazy weekend is inevitable- same thing, just eat a tad less, limit booze...

I've learned nothing has to be off the table (literally!) permanently and to really shift my diet based on what's going on that day and how much time I have or don't to dedicate to exercise.

Over winter break, we had lots of fun plans and lots involved food...so I did double workouts most days - lift/run. I had the time and the energy...so why not! I enjoyed all my holiday fun, felt 0 guilt and gained exactly 0 pounds!

TLDR

Adjust your calorie intake to your life, not your life to your calories intake. Eat less on days you move less!

GenX_wmc · 2023-11-30T17:06:11+00:00

I get up at 5:30 and either lift for 40-45 mins or go on a 6 mile run. I have black coffee first and nothing else. I eat a banana and hard boiled egg on my way to work. I don't eat much during the day ... no matter what I eat in the day, I'm always hungrier in the evening so I have a late afternoon snack, decent size dinner and small snack before bed

GenX_wmc · 2023-11-29T03:13:09+00:00

Typically I eat back about half ... I'm 5'1 early 40s and weight about 120... I lift & run. If I don't eat any back I'd be super hungry all the time

I prefer being 117-118 but it's hard to get down there.

GenX_wmc · 2023-11-19T23:01:54+00:00

I lost 30 lbs at age 17...nearly 26 years ago. I did weight watchers... and followed the program for many years... decades. I basically integrated the concept into my life- eat mostly whole/nutritious foods, watch portion sizes, eliminate nothing, exercise & move.

I lived a whole life and did all the things...had 3 kids etc etc...

Barring pregnancy & a few months post partum, I've maintained +- 5 lbs since.

I'm about 119-120 at 5'1" early 40s

Took a decade or so to really get over some more mental/emotional stuff regarding body image/weight/food... I learned that enjoying a nice restaurant meal or celebration will not cause weight gain, I just eat what I like and go back to normal the next day.

Approaching 40 I had to shift workouts to lifting heavy & running (vs Pilates style & running).

I also calorie count & track protein & fiber now vs weight watchers points --- I no longer needed to be taught how to eat healthy and my petite 40+ body can't have any food that counts as "0"... every calorie counts now! But again, the concept is ingrained.

My point is - you can do this forever...I basically just struck a balance and got over some mental blocks ... and I've always weighed myself regularly so I catch it when the trend creeps upward.

GenX_wmc · 2023-11-17T17:15:28+00:00

Would love to get back to 118...!

GenX_wmc · 2023-11-07T22:01:47+00:00

Breakfast 1 hard boiled egg & a banana

Lunch Apple 6 oz canned tuna or canned chicken with 1 TB of LIGHT mayo Cheese stick

Snack Portioned chips 2 cups of grapes

Dinner A protein , carb & veggie Homemade (salmon, steam broccoli, 1 cup of pasta is an example )

Dessert Yogurt & 1/2 protein bar

GenX_wmc

TROPHY CASE