The dreaded desk job

You're not alone. When I worked at a massive UPS shipping facility loading 400-700 40 pound urinals into a truck every night, I was in great shape. Now that I am a business analyst working a desk job, I have let myself go. It's so much easier when the job you "have" to go to everyday is physical work and inherintly makes you work out.

Posted by sawolf01 on Jun. 10, 2008 at 08:36AM

It was like a death sentence...

So, what do you do when you've been a fitness trainer, a pilates instructor, and ballet dancer for most of your life and the axe falls... the family pressures you to get a "real" job, one with "benefits".

It happened to me just like that.  For most of my adult life I had escaped the "real" job and had remained in great shape (with short exceptions of childbearing and college).  I made it all the way to thirty-nine years old and through 2 pregnancies and 2 marriages before I was beaten down by family and spousal pressure to "get real". 

So, what happens to someone who exercises 20-30 hours per week when they suddenly change to a 40+ hour desk job?  I gained almost 70 pounds.  I gained the first 50 in one year and the other 20 in the second year.  I am in the third year and I feel like I was given a death sentence.

I went from a size 2 to a size 14 in 2 years! 

But there is hope.  Now that the depression is receeding and I have a job in an office where my boss is a bodybuilder, I feel like I am in the supportive environment that I need to rebuild myself.

It is wierd, but I have a small set of weights and a yoga mat under my desk.  We keep tons of water and protein bars in the fridge and eat healthy stuff. 

The environment at work is so important.  I feel like I may get my health and condition back.  It is cool.

Posted by theostlerscat on Jun. 27, 2008 at 03:52PM

I think theostlerscat has a good point with the comment, "I feel like I am in the supportive environment that I need to rebuild myself".

tjpearce has made a 180 change in our office by setting a goal to be more healthy and lose weight. I didn't realize how big a change it was until someone brought in cookies and cheesecake danishs and no one ate them.

It wasn't easy to push past the doubters at first. He had to deal with a lot of push back from the beginning, but I'm glad he stuck to it. I think our whole office will be glad he stuck to it! So get your office mates in line and onboard with a healthier life style.

Posted by nachofunk on Jul. 03, 2008 at 07:34AM

Sticking to it is rough sometimes

I haven't had time to even log any foods I have eaten (I'd do it at home but I have dial-up).  I don't like holidays, they give me too much free time that is full of busy snacking.  And, I had the compound holiday this week, my back went out and I missed a day of work last Monday (and could hardly walk all week) then July 4th holiday came on Friday and my dad's birthday party on Sunday.  So, no workout, no work, no good eating habbits all last week.  It is tough when I miss work.  Being at home is too close to the fridge.

Posted by theostlerscat on Jul. 07, 2008 at 07:02PM

for me it was kids & a promotion..

I've been doing essentially the same job for the past 12 years (animation). I was in fine shape for most of it.. even got in great shape just before my kids were born.. but then I got a promotion & stopped having time to work out (literally.. meetings all day long usually only a half hour at my desk per day) and I quickly gained 20 lbs.  I'm now just at 199 (yipes!) and have decided that I HAVE to start working my way back down to a healthier 175.

So today was the first day back at the gym.. wish me luck! :)

Posted by jschleifer on Dec. 01, 2008 at 09:40PM