Herding Cats - tips for elementary teachers?

[AmyCory]

Got a Fitbit for Christmas, and it's been easy to get my 10k steps in since I have been on Christmas break. Since school resumes next week, I am wondering how many steps elementary teachers generally get during the work day. I teach first grade, which I lovingly refer to as "herding cats", and I am hoping to get some tips in how to squeeze in steps at school. Besides walking to the hand sanitizer 68 times a day.

[Odyssey13]

@AmyCorySounds like cat herding makes you do lots of walking. You should be able to do more pacing back and forth in the classroom. Park further away from the door, so you have a longer walk in the morning and afternoon.

You can do this! Welcome to the community.

[Stephen1227]

Hi Amy!  Welcome to the forums!  I too teach first grade. In addition to the 6K or so I get during the average work day moving around the classroom and campus, I try to walk at least 5 miles--another 10K steps--after work.  This includes walking our dogs twice a day. 

I think the toughest thing is being so tired at the end of the day after being with the kids. Love them, but it is like herding cats!  Just have to make it a priority to get those extra few miles exercise in no matter what.  I find that when I do, my energy level, attitude, sleep, and focus all improve--creating an upward spiral of wanting to keep exercising. 

Yes, vacation goes by so quickly!  Good thing we love what we do!  Happy new year to you!  I am sending you a friend invite. 

Stephen

[Stephen1227]

Oh, have you thought of or tried starting a group for teachers to walk together every day before or after school?   I used to do this with colleagues at a school I taught at several years ago, and it was wonderful! 

[HelenaFitbit]

Hey there @AmyCory ! I have laughed so loud at the "herding cats" bit 

I did voluntary work teaching children a couple years ago and I attempted to make things as interactive as possible, go for a walk with them or play a game related to the class, you'll get your steps and your students will love you since they'll be out of the classroom for a little while 

Also, @Stephen1227 's tips are really good! You can get more teachers to start walking with you and do this together.

Happy new year!  

[meganzmom]

Hi Amy,

I too teach, but I teach fifth graders. I too get about 6,000 steps daily just from walking around the classroom and building during the day.  About 4 days a week, I come home and run (training for a half marathon). Those days it is easy to get upwards of 12,000 steps.  Other days, I just aim for the 10,000.  Sometimes I hit it, others I come close but don't.  As long as my average is 10,000 a day, I am happy!

Is it almost summer!! Lol!

[Stephen1227]

Thank you, Helena.  Happy New Year to you and yours too!  Let's all make it a VERY active, fit one!

Stephen

[AmyCory]

I am a runner, and there are other teachers who run after school, so I should try to work that into my schedule. I tutor some afternoons, but maybe I can at least get a couple runs in per week! Thanks!

[Stephen1227]

You are more than welcome, Amy!  Happy New Year, my new friend!  And, a great start to 2015 at school with your first graders!  We really are fortunate to teach such a wonderful grade level. 

[rp1971]

I'm an elementary school Art teacher. I average about 8k steps on a typical workday. On really busy days I can get 10-12k steps just while working. After school I make shure that I get over 12k steps.  Before I got my FitBit I thought I was sedentary. It turned out I was more active than I thought thanks to the data from the FitBit.

I started out with the FitBit One and I lost it while on vacation. I had a Zip but I accidently put it through a wash/dry cycle. Currently have the Flex. I think the wrist trackers are harder to lose.

[betpchem]

I'm a high school teacher. I too usually get about 6000 at work, sometimes more. 

I like my flex, too. I agree it's pretty hard to lose.