Does your job contribute to your weight gain?

I work at a movie theater so I definitely feel that my job has contributed a lot since I always go for popcorn and a small courtesy cup of soda during my breaks. What helped me was to start packing my own lunches and bringing my own water, it helped me to stop eating so much of the bad stuff there!

I actually think my current job has been helpful with my weight and fitness (they bought me a standing desk, and the company has several miles of walking trails on the property) but I can definitely commiserate with you based on past jobs where the stress, inactivity, or just plain exhaustion drove me to make poor food choices, overeat, and not work out.

Hope you can negotiate with your job to get better meal and break times! Or...sometimes...we just need to take these things - you say you're a lone worker, so I'm not sure if you're an independent contractor or teaching for a regulars school, but if you have an employee handbook that would help know what you have a right to as far as meal times and breaks. I have to force myself to take the breaks that I am entitled to at work, and trust me, no one is stopping by to say "remember to take your 20 minute P.M break!" (wish they would. volunteers?)

One thing I find helps is a small low-carb breakfast with plenty of fat and protein (easiest weekday favorite? Cold grilled chicken and a sharp cheddar cheese stick with an apple) - it slows down my hunger until I eat a good lunch, and then look forward to a hearty, stick to your ribs dinner. I know this is totally backwards to conventional diet wisdom, but hey, CICO!

My job itself isn't a problem but the people I work with look for any excuse to bring in food to share with everyone (birthdays, new babies, new puppies, new cars, work anniversaries). Almost every day there are bagels, doughnuts, cookies, etc. sitting on the counter. Rarely do people bring in fruit or veggie trays. I used to sit a lot closer to the food counter and would find myself grabbing things just because they were there. Now I avoid the counter but I still have people come by my desk and say "you'd better go get some of the food before it's gone!" and I'm always telling them I'm fine without whatever food because I pack my own lunch or already ate breakfast.

brynnsmom wrote: »

No, work is not my problem. I walk in the tunnels before the day starts and at lunch, and avoid the cookies, cakes and candy dishes. My weight problems are more due to wine and PM snacking. And wine.

Ahhh! This is my problem too!!! Wine and eating late or eating crap on the weekends after wine.

Kind of. I am a lawyer, and often I am in court all day. No time to pee, much less get lunch. So I'll get home and eat whatever's in front of me. I've had success with bringing almonds to eat at lunchtime, and it helps keep me from bolting down food later in the day.

As for wine, I also find that can derail me. I'm doing Sober October to try and get away from liquid calories.

I feel like all my jobs have helped me lose weight. I currently work at mcdonald's so it keeps me on my feet/walking/not eating for several hours.

I'm a stress eater and there's always food around at my job and I do have to go out to eat with people as part of it sometimes, so... no, it absolutely doesn't.

My job doesn't force me to eat; I'm not a professional eater. If I choose to eat something, that's on me, not my job. Sure, like other parts of life my job and workplace pose certain challenges, but I think this is going to be the case no matter what.

My current position as a receptionist has me much more conscious of all my life choices in a very positive way. I work in a spa and it has really opened my eyes to the concept of self-care. A lot of our clients that come in inspire me to take better care of myself inside and out so I can feel my very best. I also don't feel as much stress which I believe helps as well. My previous position certainly had me eating a lot more as I was in a high-pressured sales position located in a mall with a fast-food food court. Very hard to stay balanced when you have 1.5hrs of break there.