WEIGHT FOR ME

At my new workplace, apparently, we have our own version of the dreaded "Freshman 10." I've heard it from every single person I've spoken to; so far I haven't yet met anyone who claims to have beaten the odds. Of course I'm determined to be the first one to do so -- even if I'm already three pounds heavier than I was since I started working here a month ago.

It doesn't help that I haven't spent a single dollar on food since I've been at this place (seriously). There's free food everywhere -- even our vending machines give without taking. If I'm hungry but sick of string cheese, tuna and crackers, and trail mix, all I need to do is phone over another department and find out if there are leftovers from some team's catered lunch. At times I don't even have to ask: "There's KFC in the warehouse," someone will casually mention while walking by. Then minutes later another voice: "Want Indian food?"

Back at Trader Joe's there was always (free) food for the taking in the backroom or at the demo station, but the difference was that I never stopped moving so I burned calories quicker than I could consume them. Not here when I'm practically chained to my desk. So I've taken some drastic steps to stop this downward spiral. I've decided to stop using my phone to talk to my co-workers; I walk to their offices instead. I now bring my own sugar-free oatmeal mixes and low-sodium soups to work and drown everything with bottles of my favorite Skinny Water.

I suppose what I still need to do is walk to and from work (I live less than two miles away) and use the on-site gym regularly and I'll even get to reverse this awful trend. Gah, but I hate freshening up at work, especially if it means lugging all my gear around (you've probably guessed I'm not a minimalist by any means). Not even if the company provides us with lovely shower facilities, free towel service, and extra amenities like hair dryers. But I'll have to take these extra steps if I don't want to see another seven pounds on my frame and become just another workplace statistic.

In the meantime I'll have to stay away from the free food and take one step at a time. Literally.

Comments

[iggy]

GAH!!

sending you good (((((vibes))))) from a fellow struggling to eat healthy

[BatJay, Ang Dating Hippopotamus]

Hehehehehe...

i beat the odds but it took almost a year to wean myself from the free food. and then it took another 6 months to walk and bike and use the gym. it does make a big difference.

[Gigi]

Iggy - I need all the vibes I can get. Louder, LOUDER!!! :)

KB - After smelling all that yummy Peruvian food for 15 minutes, I gave in...hindi ko na kaya. The good news is there was so much left over, we had free dinner, too! Hay, mahirap 'to. But wait, you said a year, right? I have 11 more months to go, hehehe...

[cathy]

hey gg! daming bago ha. where are you working now? drop me a line ok?

[MadMuse]

I once worked for a company that had a breakroom with free flavored coffee, yogurt, cookies, biscuits, candy, soup, oatmeal, etc. We even had an old style popcorn machine. We had a monthly company lunch aside from all the extra food to be had from meetings. Needless to say, staying within my ideal weight range was quite a battle! I hope you do better than I did! :)

[noelle]

So you're back in the race! Sounds like a phenomenal place. Where are you and what are you doing now? Am still freelancing despite two job offers...that likely won't change at least for 2008.

[Gigi]

Cathy - OK I will -- especially now that you're done with the book. :)

MadMuse - I don't know if I will. I just want to stop my scale's needle from veering towards the right! I'm headed for the company gym tonight. Seriously!

Noelle - Good for you! Sounds like you found freedom in exchange for something predictable. I'll email you with what I'm up to these days.