Hot for Teacher!

This or That?

Being a teacher does not mean looking like the stereotypical school marm who taught in the one room school house.  Because so many children today are inactive and overweight, teachers should serve as healthy role models by living a lifestyle that includes both looking and feeling good. What helps us look and feel good?

 EXERCISE! 

If we want to instill in our students a strong sense of self esteem, we certainly need to have that same high self esteem radiating from ourselves and exercising certainly helps to make that happen.

Committed teachers routinely spend more than the allotted 8 hours per day at school and in their classrooms. I always arrive an hour before my scheduled working time starts and often stay later in the afternoon as well. After being with kids all day, I typically do not feel like going home and hitting the gym. It is hard to muster the energy to be active when you have been "on" all day. Teachers function as secondary parents, coaches, cheerleaders, friends, and much more. It can be exhausting and here I am telling you to be a physical fitness role model as well?!?!....

For me, getting in a daily workout not only makes me feel great, but it is a great way to actually REDUCE stress. There is no feeling more satisfying than finishing a hard workout and feeling the positive effects on your mind and body. Since time is of the essence, I like to do workout DVD's at home which saves me the time of driving to and from the gym. In the past I have posted about the 30 Day Shred and I was thrilled to find out that Jillian Michaels recently released two more fabulous hardcore workout videos. 

These new videos differ from 30 Day Shred in that they are hour long workouts where as the routines in the shred are only about 30 minutes long including warmup and cool down. If you are looking to improve your shape and see results quickly, these videos are a great option to add to the mix.

Jillian's Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism video does not require any equipment at all. It contains 7 circuits of cardio exercises that each include 5 exercises that are repeated twice during the cycle. It is an hour of nonstop movement that incorporates a lot of kickboxing moves. 

The No More Trouble Zones workout requires a mat and hand weights, but even Jillian only uses three pounds because of the high number of repetitions on certain moves.  Again there are 7 circuits that each contain 5 exercises which are repeated twice. After doing the workout I definitely know I have worked my legs, abs, and arms HARD! All of the exercises incorporate movements that use more than one muscle group to maximize calorie burning. Jillian is a big proponent of not wasting any time during a workout. You don't need to spend hours in the gym and tack on more time getting there and getting back...These hour long workouts which both include a warmup and cool down are all you need! Why come up with your own routines when Jillian does it all. 

She is hardcore, badass, efficient, and effective. 

I know I can be a better teacher when I feel relaxed, healthy and good about myself and Jill's videos are a great way to ensure that I can fit exercise into my busy schedule and still manage everything I have to do to get ready for school.