[Sylvaa] Music Medley

[WolfDreamer]

1 hour ago, Sylvaa said:

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE WITH THAT KIND OF FEEDBACK?

 

This has frustrated me on more than one occasion as a teacher. There were some years I never saw an administrator in my classroom and yet received an evaluation at the end that was average. One year I found out that the admin was just copying and pasting the same comments into every teacher's evaluation, so nothing specific but general comments like "follows the required curriculum," "creates and follows lesson plans," etc.

[Sloth the Enduring]

2 hours ago, Wolfen said:

 

This has frustrated me on more than one occasion as a teacher. There were some years I never saw an administrator in my classroom and yet received an evaluation at the end that was average. One year I found out that the admin was just copying and pasting the same comments into every teacher's evaluation, so nothing specific but general comments like "follows the required curriculum," "creates and follows lesson plans," etc.

 

I loved it before my district mandated evaluations. I literally went a dozen years without an administrator setting foot in my room. Now they feel like they have to find something wrong in order to justify their presence.

[zeroh13]

I've never had reviews/evaluations. Yet almost all of my interviews ask about my last evaluation....

[Machete]

Allow one to play catch-up.

 

On 8/8/2017 at 10:29 AM, Sylvaa said:

Brother update: so my brother moved in with us last week (yup, he got here the day we left for vacation!). He's been having issues with depression and overall discontent with Florida.

 

Finally: we bought some reusable plastic food containers this week on Amazon. I've been scouring Pinterest for Bento box style lunches for my husband and the kids (for back to school). It's been super fun and I'm trying to figure out if I can make them for myself and take them on the road (although I'm not sure I want to start - just because I can drive to this site doesn't mean I will always be able to!). 

 

Florida sucks. (I don't know. Everywhere appears to suck when I'm there. Hmmm...)

 

Which ones did you end up getting? I fed my family almost exclusively in bento boxes for years until we got a few plates.

 

On 8/9/2017 at 0:02 PM, Sylvaa said:

Still zero week and my FAFSA is already done. BOOM *micdrop*!

 

Never understood teh FAFSAs. I've been told stuff about it by many people, but every time I filled it out all I got were offers for loans.

 

On 8/9/2017 at 0:29 PM, Nadoriel said:

 

OMG Sylvaa!! How do the online workouts work? (did that sound weird) anyways, I'd really like a personal trainer. Like seriously... my best fitness body was achieved when I was training with one... But you know.. they cost like 35 pounds per hour... it's ridiculous! I want to be fit but also have other dreams :/

 

That rate is on the low-end for in-person training. Online training will definitely get you a less-expensive deal, as it cuts out a lot of the operating costs. The biggest challenge is finding someone who has a system.

 

On 8/9/2017 at 1:06 PM, Sylvaa said:

There are a TON of online programs out there. Like seriously, my Instagram is full of ads from SO MANY people out there with so many different backgrounds and certifications! IMO, if you are self-motivated, they are a great alternative to in person personal trainers - especially if you have a good fitness background!

 

First of all, I think the most important thing is to figure out where your fitness goals lie. I want to improve my OCR ability, so going with a program tailored to that was a no-brainer.

 

Then I would do a Google search and start looking into HOW a person is qualified to give you training guidance. IMO, there are way too many people out there selling programs that don't necessarily have a lot of background to be able to give advice. I mean, I can go participate in a Powerlifting meet - that doesn't mean I should be creating anyone else's programs!

 

Also, figure out how important a PERSONAL training program is to you. A lot of online programs aren't actually individualized (i.e. the same program is sent out to everyone being trained). If you have any specific medical issues, I'd probably shy away from this type of program OR make sure it's actually individual (but then again, you'll pay more for it). 

 

I'd also look at how you are getting feedback. If you are doing a lifting program, are you sending videos to make sure your form is correct? How quickly does the coach respond to questions? Does it include nutrition (and if so, is there anyone with any type of nutrition background)? 

 

I'm also going to tag a few people who would be better qualified to answer your questions: @EricMN and @RedStone (tagging Red because she is a certified trainer, but doesn't do online training, so she can talk about any reasons why not to and Eric because I trust him and he's working towards his certification).

 

Personal training is personal. (I've been saying this for years. I think I should trademark it.) Everyone has access to every program out there. If someone can follow a program 90% for 5 years people would be asking them for fitness advice. When it comes down to it, we all know exactly what to do: eat your vegetables, get some sunlight, sleep early, exercise, etc. What trainers have is a system of how to get you to do it.

 

The big problem here is that training is the Wild West, and trainers aren't regulated. Every shirtless guy with abs and big butt girl in yoga pants can claim to be a "fitness expert," and start promoting their online training through Instagram these days. It's difficult to tell how good a trainer actually is. The best athletes don't usually become the best coaches. And sometimes there are just those really good coaches like Charles Poliquin who can get his athletes to win medals despite having no prior experience in the sport, so there's that.

 

The thing is, you really can never tell. The product is not the goal or the training program, the product is the trainer. Finding a trainer is pretty much online dating. A lot are just there trying to get laid, entertain themselves, or catfish gullible people. Some are actually interesting and good catches. A few happen to be serial killers. You have to do your homework, and trust your gut. Probably the most important aspect of it is the buy-in--if you don't believe in your trainer, no training will work for you. "The worst program performed pedal-to-the-metal will bring on more results than the best program done half-assed." (Christian Thibaudeau)

[Korranation]

I totally started following on day one of week zero but now realized I never said hi.

First.

[fleaball]

Didn't realize I wasn't following you. Womp.

 

Adding to the evaluation conversation: when I worked at the hellhole bank, my evaluation during my second year was literally the first year's cut & pasted. Typos and all. I didn't really give a shit because I knew I was leaving the job a few months later, but really?

[Sylvaa]

Quick Update:

 

Work has turned to a ridiculous level of crazy. TLDR: I'm running my own initiatives BUT I'm also preparing analytics for one of the nurses, so I'm pretty much trying to serve two masters. Neither one super well atm. 

 

But I need to edit my original post because I've kept up with my challenge (yay!). Also, I was going to start the mini for the Adventurer's, but I'm going a bit crazy and need a few more hours in the day before I can do that. @Wolfen do you have kids in class yet? Might ask you to start the thread!

[WolfDreamer]

1 minute ago, Sylvaa said:

do you have kids in class yet? Might ask you to start the thread!

 

I do. And it's been crazy busy. I haven't posted updates in my feed for a few days, either. I'll message you to get some details cleared up, but I don't know how much I can get done.

[Sylvaa]

1 minute ago, Wolfen said:

 

I do. And it's been crazy busy. I haven't posted updates in my feed for a few days, either. I'll message you to get some details cleared up, but I don't know how much I can get done.

 

Understood - that's why I asked you if there were kids in the class yet - I'll get it posted today!

[Shello]

AAHH, I completely missed your thread and now I'm three pages behind!!!  I'm here now though.  

[Sylvaa]

Update time!

 

 

So I'm swamped at work and my internet time for fun has been diminished into a pile of nothingness. Here's my current on the road schedule: 6:15 - wake up / get ready. 7:00 - meet co-workers for breakfast to leave for the office by 7:30. Work until 6:00 pm. Get back to hotel and change by 6:45. Workout, eat dinner, work on school stuff - try to be done by 9:30 to start winding down. I need like one more hour in the evenings. 

 

Also, I'm currently doing two jobs now. At my level, I am supposed to be leading initiatives, which is fine - I like that, I'm comfortable with it, I'm good. BUT there aren't enough analysts, so I'm also functioning as an analyst (an expensive one, but I digress) for our clinical lead. So I'm definitely just pulled in a million directions right now and it's frustrating because I feel like I'm just trying to keep my head above water versus actually get things rolling. 

 

Luckily, we are about to hit a savings milestone, so we should have about a month of pressure, but realistic pressure (like, keep pushing things, but holy crap you did a lot extra early), so I'm hoping to clean off my plate a bit to be able to focus a little more than I can now.

[deftona]

Late but here! 

[maegs]

Not first! But following along  

[WolfDreamer]

On 8/16/2017 at 8:45 PM, Sylvaa said:

6:15 - wake up

 

Any chance you can wake up early? It's really helped me feel like I have more "me" time (although my first priority in the morning is God time, then "me" time). But I'm very much a morning person, so not sure if that's true of you, as well. I usually have my phone off, and I don't think about work stuff. I just enjoy time to myself; sometimes that includes doing nothing but soaking in the quiet morning, meditating, reading a book, listening to music, just something low-stress before everybody else is up and the chaos of my day begins.

 

I know that won't help much as far as getting work done, because that's not the point, but it would help you feel like you have more "time" for yourself.

[Sylvaa]

10 hours ago, maegs said:

Not first! But following along  

 

YOU HAVE RETURNED! Yay!

 

1 minute ago, Wolfen said:

Any chance you can wake up early? It's really helped me feel like I have more "me" time (although my first priority in the morning is God time, then "me" time). But I'm very much a morning person, so not sure if that's true of you, as well. I usually have my phone off, and I don't think about work stuff. I just enjoy time to myself; sometimes that includes doing nothing but soaking in the quiet morning, meditating, reading a book, listening to music, just something low-stress before everybody else is up and the chaos of my day begins.

 

I know that won't help much as far as getting work done, because that's not the point, but it would help you feel like you have more "time" for yourself.

 

The issue isn't really having time for myself, because I make sure to get that in the evening to wind down before bed. It's pretty important because I have a lot of trouble sleeping, so keeping up my evening "ritual" is essential for me. 

 

I've toyed around with the idea of waking earlier and working out then to give me some more time at night, but I am NOT a morning person and have had a lot of trouble keeping it up. Honestly, I would be more successful just finishing all my classes. Because if I'm not trying to fit in school, I'll have more time in the evenings. It's just right now, it's a lot and it seems worse because on my last project, we had to leave the office at 5, so I DID have that extra hour at night.

 

I need to start food logging. Not because I care too much about calories, but because it's at the point where I can't really eat anything without worrying whether or not it's going to make me miserable for the rest of the day. I got some baklava yesterday from Whole Foods, because I looked at the ingredients and there wasn't anything that looked concerning. However it was a horrible mistake and make the drive home rough. I'm still convinced gluten is not an issue for me (I had pizza the night before with no issues), but it's still very frustrating. 

[NeverThatBored]

6 minutes ago, Sylvaa said:

I need to start food logging. Not because I care too much about calories, but because it's at the point where I can't really eat anything without worrying whether or not it's going to make me miserable for the rest of the day. I got some baklava yesterday from Whole Foods, because I looked at the ingredients and there wasn't anything that looked concerning. However it was a horrible mistake and make the drive home rough. I'm still convinced gluten is not an issue for me (I had pizza the night before with no issues), but it's still very frustrating. 

 

I feel you. It's really hard to pinpoint what it is in different foods that causes issues. Like, is it a combination of particular ingredients? A certain quantity of a particular ingredient? An ingredient cooked in particular ways??? An ingredient when eaten on the full moon????

[Sylvaa]

5 minutes ago, NeverThatBored said:

I feel you. It's really hard to pinpoint what it is in different foods that causes issues. Like, is it a combination of particular ingredients? A certain quantity of a particular ingredient? An ingredient cooked in particular ways??? An ingredient when eaten on the full moon????

 

I mean, I have been neglecting my sacrifices to the food gods, so maybe I need to get back on that. 

 

But yes, WHY IS FOOD SO HARD? 

 

 

Yesterday's food:

Fake eggs with Tabasco / sausage (this is my normal on the road breakfast)

prosciutto wrapped mozzarella / watermelon / baklava

iced coconut milk mocha macchiato  (I usually drink one of these for dinner on the road)

 

The baklava is the most probably cause of the belly issues, but I've got to wait until Monday to take a picture of the ingredients to track which one was an issue. 

[DrFeelgood]

Mmm, baklava.  Makes me want to place another order with Shatila.

 

That would not help my goals.  Not at all.

[Sylvaa]

Just now, DrFeelgood said:

Mmm, baklava.  Makes me want to place another order with Shatila.

 

That would not help my goals.  Not at all.

 

One of the doctors I used to work for was Greek and his mother would make homemade baklava. Since then, I've never found any good enough to replace hers. I rarely eat any these days for that exact reason and this was disappointing on top of potentially aggravating my stomach. 

[maegs]

3 hours ago, Sylvaa said:

YOU HAVE RETURNED! Yay!

I'm back! I got so busy catching up on a course I was taking after my concussion, and I kept meaning to make a challenge during the last challenge, but I didn't, and then I went on vacation  But now everything's back to normal (phew!)

 

 

Mmmm, baklava.. I have a bunch of Greek bakeries near me, might have to get some.. or loukomades..

[zeroh13]

It's probably a good thing I don't know of any Greek bakeries near me... XD

[Nadoriel]

Ahhhh @Sylvaa sorry to take over your little corner O.o

 

@Machete 35 pounds cannot be the low rate ;_____; that'd be like... 280 pounds a month per 2 weekly workouts! Plus gym membership... That's 20% of my monthly pay. I dunno. But right now it's really hard for me to do this.

 

And funny you mention Poliquin. My previous trainers were trained by his method. It definitely worked for me! xD I only have 2 problems with him: not enough eggs, not being able to have dairy for breakfast. I'd much rather have quark with cashews than a steak O.o but the training given at that gym was absolutely awesome. I really wish I still lived nearby. 

But I've been reading online, not that many people like his ways at all. Makes me confused.

 

Anyways I checked and I can technically ask my old Poliquin PTs to make me an online plan. I'm just waiting to move to a cheaper gym and check what I have available there. I dunno... It's still gonna be hard to get it done ^^ or maybe I'll just do the same that I did last time... wait until I properly stall on stronglifts/starting strength and on my fat loss, and then get a proper plan.

 

 

@Sylvaa gluten is different depending on how it's made. I can eat sourdough with no problem at all, but I can't eat normal pasta/cookies. Maybe you had a good quality pizza? Or maybe you have a reaction to something different like the nuts or the fructose?

[Sylvaa]

4 hours ago, Nadoriel said:

Ahhhh @Sylvaa sorry to take over your little corner O.o

 

It's not one of my challenges if this doesn't happen at least once!

 

4 hours ago, Nadoriel said:

 

@Sylvaa gluten is different depending on how it's made. I can eat sourdough with no problem at all, but I can't eat normal pasta/cookies. Maybe you had a good quality pizza? Or maybe you have a reaction to something different like the nuts or the fructose?

 

I actually think I've got an issue with either preservative or "artificial flavors". I have been able to eat pizza if the crust is made fresh on site. I've also been okay with bakery bread (I usually pick some up at a local farmer's market near me). So varying degrees of gluten products, provided they are "fresh made" - which is why I am leaning towards the preservatives. 

 

However, the baklava ingredients didn't call out anything weird, so either the ingredients weren't all listed (this was one of those bakery products where the label is printed at the store) or it is none of the above. I was reading up on fructose / sugar intolerance - because if anyone is curious there appear to be two different kinds. I don't believe fructose is an issue because I eat a lot of fruit without problems. But I do normally only eat honey from a local place, so maybe that was it? Food is hard. 

 

Yesterday I still wasn't feeling 100%, so I tried to make sure I wasn't eating anything new:

Coffee with milk

Two Tyson panko breaded chicken patties

Apple with peanut butter

Beef tips (added noodles for the kids for dinner, but I didn't eat any) 

 

4 hours ago, Nadoriel said:

@Machete 35 pounds cannot be the low rate ;_____; that'd be like... 280 pounds a month per 2 weekly workouts! Plus gym membership... That's 20% of my monthly pay. I dunno. But right now it's really hard for me to do this.

 

Per Google, the average cost is 39 pounds per hour, but based upon other conversations on this topic, that seems low to me ($50 per hour). We used to pay 23.40 pounds for a half hour session ($30 / half hour) and that seemed to be better than most people I spoke with. This totally depends on where you live too - larger cities have higher costs. 

[Nadoriel]

@Sylvaaahh I did forget artificial flavors! Yeah I have trouble with those too. Or sugar.. Something like that. I remember eating gluten free stuff and still feeling my stomach weird. Ahh... I miss dipping cookies in coffee. And chocolate :/ 

 

It's usually not hard for me to decline and avoid sweets but my bf made a cookie cake today (which I don't like actually) but it made me really want chocolate. 

 

Hope you get better soon! 

 

And I know people in UK with PTs that cost around 20-25 per session. So they exist! Just not here xD 

[Sloth the Enduring]

Ahhhh [mention=35180]Sylvaa[/mention]
 
[mention=35180]Sylvaa[/mention] gluten is different depending on how it's made. I can eat sourdough with no problem at all, but I can't eat normal pasta/cookies. Maybe you had a good quality pizza? Or maybe you have a reaction to something different like the nuts or the fructose?

Traditional sourdough is fermented and the microscopic beasties eat the gluten. Store-bought American sourdough is not fermented and it likely still has gluten. You're lucky to live in the UK where you can still get real food easily enough.