Danana's Journal, 08 Feb 24

I retired early and never regretted it. It IS much easier to take good care of your health. Best of luck as you navigate these final days teaching. 

Hi you. Sounds like you are making a very good choice.  

Wishing you the best. I did something similar. I am also a retired teacher. I was 60 lbs overweight. My stress eating was always from 3-5 pm. The only difference for me is that I began to change my bad eating habits about a year before I retired. I worked out 3 xs a week and by the time I retired I had lost about 30 lbs. Then I got super focused. I used to say my health and fitness became my full time job. I lost all the weight and work out 6 days a week. Your health is always important so making that your 1st priority will allow you to feel better and feel healthier to enjoy all the joys of life!  

Good luck and you have to take care of you! You have a good husband and much support💝 Good luck and put yourself first! It took me way too long to figure that out but I’m glad I’m finally putting me first with the wonderful support of my husband and daughter💝💙 

The best is yet to come for you! I was an IT worker for 25 years. I retired 10 years ago, kind of for the same reasons. But I was burnt out. Eating salty and sugary stuff out of vending machines, fast food, and no time to workout on weekday evenings after coming home wore out. Within 3 months of retiring I had lost 35 pounds that hasn't come back yet. I got a Fitbit for Christmas in 2015, and having the time to compete in challenges really helped me. (too bad they don't have challenges any more). Enjoy your retirement. Everyday is Saturday!! 

Thanks for the supportive comments everyone. It’s certainly bittersweet. I was able to manage working and managing my own household until elder care was added to my plate. Since my mom has been needing increasing health and financial assistance, there just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to exercise and meal prep. Right now my relationship with my mom is all chores, leaving no time for us to enjoy being mother and daughter. I’m hoping my retirement will give us some more quality time together. And, yes, I’m putting my health first. I’m a little sad because I love my work family and will miss the children. Everyone I know that is around my age is struggling with elder care, many much worse than my situation. I’m thankful that I have a career with a great retirement plan and the incentive my district gave, allowing me to retire at 58. I will be back as a more active member soon as I want to give and not just take.❤️Donna 

@ancient hippie: I am really going to need that luck! We’ve been having uncharacteristically heavy rain in San Diego and my second graders have been out of their minds! 

good luck with your new life 

I went through the same thing and had to retire early. Best of luck to you.  

AWE.... all the best in your decision!! yes, healthy first!!!  

Wow!!! You definitely have your hands full Danana, hang in there, my prayers are with you. I'm so glad that you checked in. 

And now I have Covid.😢 

Wishing you happiness in your new chapter friend ✨️  

JC When I recover I will work on being a badass like you! 

Thanks to all who stopped by my page. I’m not good about addressing each personally but it doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate you. I’m on my phone and can’t see everyone’s name while typing.❤️ 

I'm so sorry Danana I pray you recover soon  

Thanks for the prayers Buenita. Luckily my symptoms are mild, just a stuffy nose and fatigue.❤️ 

Enjoy your retirement!!! I retired from my first job after 31 years, working on our new house now and then my part time 2nd career. Whatever you do enjoy!!!!🥰 

You’ve EARNED this retirement! I’ve been a music teacher for 24 years. You’ll love retirement!! When I read what you said about it being difficult, did you mean meal prepping? Meal prepping, in addition to everything else you need to do, is extra work. I get it! But your health is worth it. I’ve learned to meal prep EASY meals throughout my health journey. (Since Nov 2021) I only cook more complex meals on the weekend. I would never, for example, try a new recipe during the week. For me, prepping on Sunday means meals are ready to eat for breakfast and lunch for 4 days. I’m so exhausted from teaching, it’s nice knowing meals are readily available!  

Meal prepping is tricky in my house. 2 of us have to be gluten free, 1 has to be nut free, another can’t have tomatoes or onions. When I was sick I couldn’t meal prep and even before I was sick there were so few hours to do meal prep and have enough time to spend with my husband and daughters after working full time and taking care of my mom after work and on Saturday. Retiring will take one thing off my plate.