The Miserable B

mmoyer1978

I've been on this journey for nearly two years. At first, it came easy. I dropped 76lbs in 8 months and I felt amazing. When I started, I weighed 282lbs. I was down to 205 and onederland was within reach. Then I plateaued. I knew it was bound to happen at some point. What I didn't bargain for was how I handled it. I got frustrated and my resolve faltered.

This amazing drive I had for so long just... vanished. Where did it go? Why did I lose it. Over the holidays and the past 9 months I have packed 33lbs back on. My drive is gone. I wish I hadn't lost it. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, trying to figure out why I lost it, what the trigger was. I think I've finally been able to pinpoint my downfall. In December of last year, I was taken out of the customer service department at work- a department I loved- and moved into the quality assurance department. Customer service had 6 other women in it who I had come to know and love over the 4 years I worked with them. Quality assurance has only one other person in it and she is known for her bad attitude and negativity. I thought I could handle it.

I am a very positive, patient and up-beat person. It takes a lot to get me down. But this woman has brought me to the brink. She is late EVERYDAY. She does not greet me with a happy hello or good morning.

She groans.
Grunts.
Says, "My hips hurt," or "I need to wake up."

Within 30min of arriving she calls her boyfriend to see what he's doing even though she lives with him. They speak a minimum of 6 times a day. Everyone in every other department within our company is "lazy" or "dumb" or "doesn't care." She has horrible grammar. She uses the F-word in casual conversation as though it is completely acceptable. She stresses me out. I am a stress eater. I've given this a lot of thought. I'm sure that she is a big contributing factor to my problem, with her bad attitude, general dislike for EVERYTHING and EVERYONE, and ability to shovel large quantities of sugary drinks and processed snacks into her mouth as she sits across from me and gripes about all things.

She has been with the company for 14 years, She lost a major account. More than one complaint has been made about her. I even spoke with out manager and told them I am near my breaking point. They were worried I would quit but I told them I wouldn't, asking simply for guidance on how to deal with her. Our supervisor admitted that "maybe it was time to have their annual talk with her about her attitude." Annual talk? How is someone like this allowed to continue poisoning the work-place? Do any of you work with someone like this? Do any of you think this could be my Achilles Heel?

pickle_button

Stupid people suck. I feel for you. Kill her with kindness... maybe instead of her brining you down, you could bring her up. Be the better person. People that don't have anything nice to say, usually say the things they do to make themselves feel better. Be a role model and affect her with your super positive attitude and preseverence! (if it doesn't change her, at least it'll annoy her!!)

happypath101

Oh boy! That's a tough one. My workplace has been super stressful and I've been able to channel it into exercise. Could you?

Another thing struck me about this situation. Your employer knows she's a problem and is worried they'll lose you. How about using this time to negotiate some terms. How about saying something like:

I won't quit or ask to be transferred. I won't confront her; I'll let management handle that. But, in order to manage the stress, here's some things I'd like to have worked into my terms:

1. I'd like to <come in later, take an hour lunch, set my hours, whatever works for you> so that I can <exercise, go to yoga, take a long walk and clear my head.>
2. I'd like to work from home on x and y.
3. Brainstorm you own ideas here. I bet there's something that jumps to mind that I wouldn't even think of.

You get the idea. Use this as an opportunity to work out some terms that will AID you in your career and health goals.

TAKE CARE!