Sunday, February 08, 2009

Drastic Action...


I am (a) 46 years old, (b) overweight and (c) out of a job. None of this is good, but I am limited in terms of what I can do to change this. The date of birth is fixed - I have to accept this. Applying for a teaching post is not like going on The Apprentice. Sir Alan Sugar may be quite happy to turn a blind eye to certain details on dynamic young things' CVs, but LEAs and CRBs will have no truck with even the smallest porkies. Even if your date of birth is not a requirement, it doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that if you list your O levels which were awarded by the JMB, you are not far short of baby boomer status. Actually, this is just as well as I have not yet met any Einsteins. As for the job applications process, I have had offers from a couple of people to read through my application. One is a primary school governor who has read lots of applications over the years and the other a secondary school headteacher. I may take them up on the offer and suffer the ritual humiliation which will be bound to follow. I also got a phone call from a guy at the college where I did my PGCE, firstly to congratulate me on graduating, secondly to ask me to take part on a little survey to find out what former students were doing. I responded with almost inverse triumphalism that I was unemployed - well, call me old fashioned but, to me, a job is something you do roughly 9 to 5, 5 days per week until you or your employer decide otherwise - supply doesn't cut the mustard being just a couple of days a week (if you are lucky). Sadly this was the closest I got to dinting the armour of the mighty HE establishment. I had obviously bombed out at the first stage on the guys's flowchart and he just gave me a phone number to make an appointment for CV advice. So I might do that.

So, I can't do anything about my age, I'm doing what I can about the job situation, what about the weight problem? I have bitten the bullet and joined my local branch of Slimming World - oh! the indignity! Now I do have a little history with Slimming World. In 1999 I joined for the first time and enjoyed significant success. I lost 2 stones and felt great. Sadly I put 3 stones back on. I have waddled around since with my excess baggage, eating what I want when I want and kidding myself that I am a dress size smaller than I am in reality. I turned up at the local recreation centre and was talked through the 'eating plan' (diet is a 4-letter word!). The 'consultant' opened with, " Now, before I go through the plan with you, I want to say well done for just coming through the door, I know it's hard..." Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for me to be lowered by a crane through the ceiling? No, I'm not that big - I had a good 6 inches of clearance on either side of me as I entered through the door!

I tipped the scales at 12 st 4.5 lbs - eek! I'm only 5'3"! According to the Body Mass Index in the Slimming World books, That puts me just inside the purple zone which places my health at a significant risk. Not quite morbidly obese but definitely time for drastic action. And to ease things along I have invested in Davina's Super Body Workout (did I say 'ease'?). If I can shoehorn myself out of my armchair, I shall aim to do it 3 times a week. I am certainly not shelling out for gym membership.

I am hoping that tackling the weight problem will assist in the other two areas. I will look a bit younger and this in turn will help me get a job. I think I have uncovered an inherent ageism in primary school recruitment panels. And I wouldn't be surprised if they were fatist, too.

12 comments:

AnneDroid said...

I think I'll need to let your example inspire me. It's okay in the winter but I can't really wear big fleeces and scarves and jackets on the beach in July, can I?

Holy Famoley said...

It's getting the motivation going, isn't it? I can't actually diet unless I have somebody standing over me with the metaphorical big stick. The whole slimming club thing isn't really me but I must admit, the group thing does work so it is better to grit your teeth and get on with it. And Slimming World isn't so difficult to follow...and you don't feel hungry with it.

Anonymous said...

Hey Carole
Thought I'd offer my services in applying for jobs. I used to be rubbish at interviews (much better now I don't freak out and get so nervous!) but my letter/CV must be ok as I've been interviewed for every post I've ever gone for. Let me know if I can do anything (I have examples I can send if you want them).
dadube xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Carole, I have interviewed far too many teachers and head teachers in recent years and chair of govs and seen so many applications for primary school.I am more than happy to send some thoughts or look through applications. Let me know and I'll give you my email add.I won't be offended if you don't want to! :)
sonia

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

Hey Carole. I think you look pretty good the way you are. And 46? keep ya chin up your not even half way through yet!

I on the other hand found out I was close to obese from my daughters Wii Fit for goodness sake! I nearly threw the handset at the telly, seriously though Wii fit is good!

Mate I hope you get a job sooooon!!!!

Holy Famoley said...

Cheers, Dennis! I'll keep both my chins up! And I lost 4.5 lbs in the first week so that is an encouragement.

Dadube, I would happily take advantage of both offers. I shall be in touch. Let's get this thing sorted before the March job vacancies!

Holy Famoley said...

I meant, Dadube AND SONIA, I'll happily take advantage of both offers...doh!

Anonymous said...

Great Carole my email is sonia.main-cot@dsl.pipex.com
sonia

Anonymous said...

Don't be disheartened. I used to weigh in at an impressive 18st. Remember it is a journey with a destination not an instant result you are looking for!

As for supply? I did it for 1.35 years and it can be disheartening. Keep going, there must be light at the end of the tunnel that isn't a train!

Holy Famoley said...

Cheers, Robb! Something about splurging your thoughts out on the net to make you feel better. Lots of nice constructive comments from lovely peeps and I am feeling much more positive now. And I'm 6.5 lbs down on my starting weight.

James Milne said...

wooo! Go Carole! for actually doing something pro-active, for making progress, and for taking a sensible course of action rather than trying for a quick fix. That's ace!

Ha, your comment about motivation sounds like a metaphore for church/accountability to me (the good kind, not the heavy vicious sort)

Agreed re Davina - why people drive to the gym in order to run on the treadmill is beyond me!

Holy Famoley said...

Cheers Linus! And welcome to my little world. I now have 8lbs off and my half stone award. Yes, I do believe wholeheartedly that we are social creatures, made for community, whether it is slimming clubs or indeed church. But I am one of those who have to force themselves to get up and participate. I'm fine once I'm there but I find it really difficult. Forming a habit does not have to be as negative as it sounds.