Thanks to everyone at MFP--I've got a job...
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Azdak
Posts: 8,281 Member
I had a good week on the job front last week. After having been out of work for a year, I received 2 job offers. I accepted a position as a Fitness Specialist for a large, hospital-based health and fitness center in the Chicago suburbs. It's ironic in that I worked for the same large healthcare corporation at a different hospital wellness center location before getting into fitness equipment sales 9 years ago.
I can't say enough about how helpful it was to be part of this community. After 9 years of a mega-hour, high-stress job in commercial sales, I had fallen into lifestyle habits that were typical of what ails much of our society--overweight, underactive, faced with a number of health issues completely related to lifestyle. There was no way anyone would have hired me for a job in a fitness facility--heck, it was a big problem even when I was selling equipment.
When I went to the doctor last March and was diagnosed with diabetes, that was the reality slap I needed. I had the motivation, and, thanks to being unemployed, I had the time, to make some dramatic lifestyle changes. One thing I really needed was a convenient (and free) online tool to track my food intake. MFP provided that, in an easy to use format, with a great database. I know it sounds almost silly to think that a simple website and food diary tool could make that much of a difference, but it did. Just having one place to keep everything and the ability to bring up some reports was a huge help in keeping me on track, and also accountable--the numbers were right there and I knew exactly where I needed to be.
As I started losing some weight and getting into better shape, I began to spend more time in the Forums. These was helpful for a number of reasons. First there is the social support, which is always important. But I also found that answering people's questions helped reignite my enthusiasm for working as part of the fitness community. It reminded of the reasons I got into this field almost 30 years ago. It also forced me to go back to my old textbooks as well as investigate current research to make sure I was giving out accurate information.
Largely as a result of that experience, I regained a focus on what I wanted to do in the future. I stopped wasting time on "alternate" career paths and focused on getting back into the fitness business. It also made me more credible as a job candidate and gave me background experience that allowed me to "sell" myself more persuasively in job interviews.
I have tried to give back a little in these forums and share some of my knowledge, but, believe me, I have gotten a LOT more back from everyone here. This community played an essential role in bringing me back to a profession that I truly enjoy.
Not sure yet how much my new job duties will pull me away from here, but I just wanted to make sure I thanked everyone who makes up the MFP community for making such a difference.
I can't say enough about how helpful it was to be part of this community. After 9 years of a mega-hour, high-stress job in commercial sales, I had fallen into lifestyle habits that were typical of what ails much of our society--overweight, underactive, faced with a number of health issues completely related to lifestyle. There was no way anyone would have hired me for a job in a fitness facility--heck, it was a big problem even when I was selling equipment.
When I went to the doctor last March and was diagnosed with diabetes, that was the reality slap I needed. I had the motivation, and, thanks to being unemployed, I had the time, to make some dramatic lifestyle changes. One thing I really needed was a convenient (and free) online tool to track my food intake. MFP provided that, in an easy to use format, with a great database. I know it sounds almost silly to think that a simple website and food diary tool could make that much of a difference, but it did. Just having one place to keep everything and the ability to bring up some reports was a huge help in keeping me on track, and also accountable--the numbers were right there and I knew exactly where I needed to be.
As I started losing some weight and getting into better shape, I began to spend more time in the Forums. These was helpful for a number of reasons. First there is the social support, which is always important. But I also found that answering people's questions helped reignite my enthusiasm for working as part of the fitness community. It reminded of the reasons I got into this field almost 30 years ago. It also forced me to go back to my old textbooks as well as investigate current research to make sure I was giving out accurate information.
Largely as a result of that experience, I regained a focus on what I wanted to do in the future. I stopped wasting time on "alternate" career paths and focused on getting back into the fitness business. It also made me more credible as a job candidate and gave me background experience that allowed me to "sell" myself more persuasively in job interviews.
I have tried to give back a little in these forums and share some of my knowledge, but, believe me, I have gotten a LOT more back from everyone here. This community played an essential role in bringing me back to a profession that I truly enjoy.
Not sure yet how much my new job duties will pull me away from here, but I just wanted to make sure I thanked everyone who makes up the MFP community for making such a difference.
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Replies
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Congratulations on meeting your goals and getting your new job!! You are an inspiration! :happy: :flowerforyou:0
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Congrats on your new job! :flowerforyou: :drinker:
MFP certainly DOES change people's lives, sooooo much for the better, doesn't it?!!!
:bigsmile: 0 -
Congratulations!!! :happy:0
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Congratulations and thanks for your advice. You have been an inspiration. I hope that you will still have time to answer our questions
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Congatulations on the job!!!!0
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Congratulations! That is so inspiring. I'm out of work too- but not interested in the fitness biz.
Good for you for being able to refocus not only your health, but your career.
....and agreed, the social outlet here is important, too. Love ya all.
GREAT post.
~Cheryl0 -
Congratulations!!!:flowerforyou:0
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Excellent! Congrats. I find your posts very informative and logical. Good luck with the new gig!0
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Wonderful! Congratulations on the new job. I enjoyed reading your post - it was considerate and inspiring! Best of luck to you.:flowerforyou:0
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That's a great story! I hope you're able to find some time to keep in touch with all of us! The hospital system where I works has 'un-blocked' MFP so we can access it and use it as part of our wellness work!
I'm sure you will get a great deal of joy from being able to help so many people get back onto the road of health!0 -
Congratulations!!
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Congrats!!! You will do amazing. Your support and information has always been extremely beneficial0
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WOOT!
So happy for you and proud that you took the initiative to change your life. Have FUN at your new job!!
:flowerforyou: Jeannie0 -
Congrats, Azdak- good for you! :bigsmile:0
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I am happy for ya AZ ! I hope you still hang around here to help us out though! I have always loved how and what you posted on here. THEY are lucky to be having YOU ! May it be so rewarding that you will not see it as a job!! Best wishes!!!
Verda0 -
Congratulations! Best wishes on your new post.0
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What a nice letter. I read your profile and it seems like things are really going your way. You before and after pictures are inspirational. Good luck doing what you love. That's what it's all about!:happy:0
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WOW!! I am just SO thrilled for you. I bet you'll be recommending this website to a lot of folks in you new profession. It wll be a blessing to them, no doubt. CONGRATULATIONS on the job! WOW!
This website has made a huge difference to me as well. I just want others to get on here and commit to this so they can feel as great as I do. I know what it feels like to not have energy, feel old and tired and hate the way you look. I was really unhappy and I feel stuck. Now I am feeling excited about living again. I want to get out there and live!
SOOOOO happy for you!!
Susan
Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter0 -
Congrats and good luck0
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Congrats on your job and your contributions to MFP. I definitely enjoy your posts because I learn a lot! Its nice that you found a job that you are happy with. 0
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