I quit my job because I thought it was making me fat

NorthCascades

Why does blame need to come into counting calories and deciding to get a more active job?

lemurcat2

"So recently I became convinced that it was my jobs fault I'm fat so I resigned."

(Granted, that was in 2017.)

fitpal4242

I wouldn’t have quit a job I loved, but I have fairly recently quit a job that was contributing to my not losing weight.

This job made me completely miserable and stressed. I hated it so much, felt like I had a total lack of control at work. I had a very difficult time finding the right next job so I could leave. I continued to exercise and eat relatively healthy food (although definitely too much of it). Being so stressed and miserable took a toll on my body- I was getting stress breakouts on my jawline, neck and chest (my facialist said it was hormonal- stress).

I left there several months ago, moved back to the city I came from, continued exercising and eating healthy food, but less of it- tracking on mfp. My breakouts cleared up, and I lost 25lbs in about 3 months. Quitting DID positively contribute to my losing weight and being healthier (although it was me who had to keep up the hard work).

lemurcat2

fitpal4242 wrote: »

I wouldn’t have quit a job I loved, but I have fairly recently quit a job that was contributing to my not losing weight.

This job made me completely miserable and stressed. I hated it so much, felt like I had a total lack of control at work. I had a very difficult time finding the right next job so I could leave. I continued to exercise and eat relatively healthy food (although definitely too much of it). Being so stressed and miserable took a toll on my body- I was getting stress breakouts on my jawline, neck and chest (my facialist said it was hormonal- stress).

This seems a quite different thing than what was being discussed or what I quoted. If part of becoming a healthier person able to manage your life is changing jobs, absolutely, change jobs!

Long ago, there was a time when I was convinced it was because of my job that I couldn't do anything about my weight. Then I looked around and realized that I had plenty of co-workers who were in good shape, and figured out how to manage my weight despite a job that in my mind had made it difficult (largely due to stress, hours, mental exhaustion).

I also then quit that job, after I lost weight, because being empowered in managing my weight was one of a series of changes that helped me realize I could change other things about my life that weren't making me happy, and that my job was not (although I am glad I had it for a period of time as I learned from it and not quitting something you don't like immediately is, I think, both a sign of responsibility and willingness to try things, as well as reality in that I was paid well, had student loans, had to think of the future of my career, etc. -- just quitting with no comparable job and plans would not have been a good call).

Truth is, also, that my career, and many people's careers, are going to involve jobs that are basically sedentary and sometimes have lots of related stress and long hours. If one doesn't like that, great, but quitting for a job where I can walk around more would not be a sensible choice in my personal career (or many others).

But yes, absolutely, if you hate your job, deciding to get a job that suits you better and also fulfills your requirements (including financial security) is a good choice. Blaming a job you love for your weight and therefore deciding to quit doesn't seem quite the same thing to me as deciding that you can take steps to improve your life which might well be quitting a job that is miserable for you.

lx1x

lemurcat2 wrote: »

"So recently I became convinced that it was my jobs fault I'm fat so I resigned."

(Granted, that was in 2017.)

Wondering how many jobs the op had since then.. 😝

MikePTY

Well hopefully in the last 3 years, the OP both found a new job she loved and lost the weight.

I know for me, I would never leave a job I love because of my weight gain, since I do believe that is something within our control and a lot of times our jobs can just be a convienent scapegoat.

I gained my weight when working a job that should have made it super easy to lose weight. I was working from home, setting my own hours, barely having to do much work and could take all the time I needed to cook healthy food, go to the gym, etc. Except I didn't do any of that. The issue was with me, and so having a job that made it easy for me didn't help me lose weight, because I wasn't ready to take control of my life then.

Flash forward to now. I own and run my own company. I work long hours, sometimes as long as 16 hours days (not the norm but 50-60 hours plus a week is). It's high stress, and there is plenty of opportunity to stuff my face with lots of high calorie, yummy things. But I've still lost 45 pounds with my job. Because despite some of the obstacles, I was ready to do the work to lose weight, so I was able to do it.

So while sometimes jobs can play a part, I really don't think that except in rare cases, it would prevent anyone from losing weight who really gets it together to put in the work.

paperpudding

Ah the reason for reserecting thread is revealed

threewins

ninerbuff wrote: »

If it's the JOB that's the issue, then all people who have sedentary jobs should be overweight. And while a high percentage might be, why aren't the thin ones? I'm gonna bet that it's because they don't over eat.
The job didn't entail eating.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

The thin ones hadn't been in the job long enough. Seriously though, I believe the *culture* of the workplace has a lot to do with weight gain. Sharing homebaked goods, "you must try this lasagna I made", birthday treats, bonus chocolates, Easter Egg gifts from management, it all adds up. Probably the biggest effect is who you sit next to and if they're a weight loss neggar. I've seen all that, and I've seen a workplace where there was zero food culture.

OP made the brave decision to change their job for health reasons. I know that this website has members who subscribe to the "brutal truth" but is all the criticism really necessary?

amandaeve

Almost 20 years ago I started a job that was great on paper. I gained 60 pounds in 4 months. I decided the job was killing me and I quit. Looking back, I probably would have gained weight at some point with or without that job. Still, I don’t regret quitting for one second. I’m glad I had the opportunity to have that experience and I learned a lot about myself and my own limitations.