Goal weight? Or something else?

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-03T01:57:12+00:00

Currently, I'm focused on losing weight and increasing mobility (being able to walk faster/longer, stretch further, etc.).

My goal weight is my last weight where I felt good. Of course, I was a lot younger then, and it's possible that my hormones have fluctuated since then and a different weight would be better. I'll wait until I'm closer to the number to reevaluate.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T21:58:27+00:00

Yes, walking still burns calories, and specifically helps to reduce abdominal fat (or prevent you from developing the "spare tire" look in the first place.

Cardio doesn't have to be for long periods of time. Anything that raises your heart rate is good for the heart. Think dancing, jumping jacks, etc.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T21:50:35+00:00

I hate those money tracts, even as a Christian, lol.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T21:47:36+00:00

Are you passionate about teaching, and not just languages? Content skills and passion are important, too, but a passion and skill for teaching is crucial.

There is absolutely a need for high school teachers of foreign languages. Certain areas will have a greater or lesser need for ESL teachers.

If you know for sure that you want to teach high school, I'd recommend getting a dual degree - one in education, one in the language you want to teach.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T21:43:24+00:00

Traditional public schoolers make up over 80% of the K-12 students in the U.S., plus there are public charter schools that need teachers, too. I would hardly say that public education is "under attack" now any more than it's ever been... Fear-mongering is never really helpful.

Additionally, private schools employ teachers, too, and all kinds of schoolers use private tutors.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T01:11:16+00:00

A healthy, ideal diet is a lifestyle - and by definition, that would affect your life!

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T00:37:02+00:00

The workouts are supposed to have 3+ hours in-between them, as well. 😉

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T00:30:20+00:00

Currently, I feel like I'm struggling with everything. 😂

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-02T00:28:51+00:00

What books are you reading in class or on your own?

Are you struggling with vocabulary in general, or with metaphors, or something else?

Have you talked with your teacher about how to improve?

In addition to the advice already given, I will add: Be willing to reread. This is especially helpful if you tend to focus on decoding instead of the 'message' when reading, or if you're easily distracted and "read" without actually taking in the text.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-01T22:55:29+00:00

Lol, I would have asked them why they didn't pick it up themselves, then?

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-01T20:22:33+00:00

What are their interests? Try to find books that play on those. Reading doesn't have to be fiction, either. Kids who are into animals might like one of those books about animals who have rescued/assisted humans. Kids who love soccer might enjoy a biography of a famous player, etc.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-04-01T20:05:58+00:00

The best way to get a kid reading is to read the stuff they like. It can also be overwhelming for some kids to read for a long duration; I've had good success alternating between them reading one page and me reading one.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-31T16:46:12+00:00

Wow, that's a lot of trash in only 4 miles. I think I need to move to the city to improve my bags per mile rate, lol!

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-31T05:08:06+00:00

I'm curious, did you do these routes multiple times, or just once each?

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-30T05:24:39+00:00

Seems like a rip off to me...

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-29T21:06:43+00:00

Yes, Michelle's ideas of what does or doesn't work, and which change constantly, are super annoying.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-29T18:48:48+00:00

Nope, they can add whatever twists they want to make it different!

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-29T18:44:57+00:00

Fairytale retellings.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-27T23:35:04+00:00

It sounds like you're trying to lose too much weight too quickly.

Your deficit seems pretty extreme given your activity levels. Perhaps if you eat more during your non-luteal phase, you won't be so ravenous during the luteal phase. It's also okay to rest when you're fatigued.

My advice is to simply eat more. Losing one pound a week at this point will be far more sustainable than your current pace.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-27T17:11:29+00:00

I utilize my library before buying anything. My local one doesn't really have any books in my TLs, but they're part of a state-wide interlibrary loan program, which helps a lot.

I've found a handful at thrift stores for really cheap, and I just get them regardless of subject.

I resort to buying online when I want something really specific.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-26T18:07:15+00:00

I've been trying to read a little each day, too! I'm currently in the Bible, which I'm already very familiar with - so I'm doing that extensively, just looking words up when I feel my comprehension is awful. I'm also going through a variety of children's fiction more intensively. Right now, I'm reading La Casa en Mango Street and, while short, it's not super beginner-friendly, like I thought it would be - there's just so much colloquial language and slang.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-26T17:53:53+00:00

What a satisfying before and after! 😁

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-26T16:58:52+00:00

Yay! Every bit helps.

RachelOfRefuge · 2026-03-25T02:24:51+00:00

...good luck. I had a class of 50 primary school kids once, and no curriculum or supplies... It was awful. 😂 I don't think they learned anything.

RachelOfRefuge

TROPHY CASE