Job making it feel impossible to lose weight

futurecowvet
futurecowvet Posts: 19 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm a recent DVM and I'm thrilled to actually be out doing something I love. In school I stress ate and told myself that when I didn't have clinicians, residents and interns pushing everything downhill and blaming you when their day went poorly I could focus on losing weight. However I'm struggling and feel like this job is making it impossible to get into a healthy rhythm.

I've been trying to identify the problem areas and how to work around it. First off I'm trying to find a reliable time to workout, lately I've been waking up an hour to half hour before my alarm so I'm thinking this time would be a good time to get a workout in before I get exhausted from the day.

The bigger issue I have is at work. It seems as though there is a never ending stream of drug reps that come with "treats" and they all seem to come at the same time. One week we had 4 reps bring Dunkin Donuts in the same day, the next day we were brought Olive Garden, then a few days later it was Panera, then subs from a local pizza joint. Not to mention the seemingly continuous supply of cookies and other sweets in the break room. If the food is in the break room it is easier to avoid because I'm usually too busy to go in there, but this is another issue. I intentionally don't bring my lunch to work for a couple reasons 1) if I don't leave the clinic I will not be left alone and effectively miss my lunch through interruptions, "so in so is on the phone, can you talk to them? (If I don't then they just come ask me the owner's questions and I play back and forth) so it's easier to just leave. 2) that hour and a half is time for me to catch up on house work, mail, bills, etc. 3) I live close to work so it is easy enough to go home for lunch and get chores done. The problem with this is when I have a day where I'm double booked in the morning and end up working into lunch catching up or like today, I had a surgery patient that decided to be difficult so I sat with the patient through lunch to ensure it recovered well and was awake and stable. I wouldn't have it any other way, the result though was I was starving and had 5 minutes before my afternoon appointments. The result was the McDonald's drive through next door. I feel like this is a trend going into spring which worries me. So far my only solution is to bring my lunch and then take it and leave the clinic for lunch. Ideally I'm thinking something I can keep in my desk so I avoid the treats in the break room.

Finally the other thing I have to reign in is all the candy people bring. The staff sees me running ragged, having a bad day or what not and so they bring in candy. They know peanut butter is my favorite so they are always bringing in Reese's and setting them right where I write records. I've tried to curb that by talking about trying to loose weight with my staff and also by moving the candy. I seriously have a drawer full of candy at the moment because they were starting to set the extras in my desk and I'd toss it in a drawer I don't use or usually notice and then when I remember I dig some out before I leave so others will eat it.

I'm hardly ever at my desk and spend most of the day on my feet and yet I still can't seem to make any progress. Nights and weekends I'm on call are also difficult because I feel like I'm glued to my phone and my apartment so I can access information if someone calls. I want to make a routine I can fall into before I have a year of practice under my belt but 2 months in and I'm struggling.
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Replies

  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    I keep protein bars in my desk. When the temptation shows up I grab one, then I'm full and its easier to say no thanks.
  • pamfgil
    pamfgil Posts: 449 Member
    Figure out something fairly non perishable you can keep at work for when you can't get away. I use rice cups and flavoured tuna for example, also maybe some apples. That helps stave off hunger in an emergency
  • angryromancegrrl
    angryromancegrrl Posts: 11 Member
    I log the entire day in the morning, pack my lunch and snacks (everyday!). This way, I know what I can eat. When someone offers me something that isn't already logged, it's easier to say no.

    And fwiw, saying "no" is a habit you can learn.I don't say why, or make an excuse, I just say, "no thanks" and get back to work. It's not easy, but it is a habit like anything else.

    And don't expect perfection. Even if you cave...log it. :)
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    If your main issue is the problem with packing food and not getting the opportunity to eat it and wasting it, could you have frozen meals, frozen vegies, a loaf of sliced bread frozen, or non perishable stuff like canned tuna, rice in a bag, baked beans, soups etc stored at work so you have options other than the high calorie stuff brought in or the mcD's next door?

    You have to learn to say no to the other stuff if you want to achieve your goals - free food doesn't mean delicious or worth it. Usually the opposite. It also seems like you have a never ending supply so it's not special. Perhaps email reps etc and ask that they not bring in X food items as you are promoting a healthier approach in your workplace?
  • RBBNKRHL
    RBBNKRHL Posts: 2 Member
    I am a Veterinary Technician and I can relate. The endless stream of greatful pet parents bringing in "thank you" treats is non stop, the during holidays it seriously gets RIDICULOUS. I've worked with many DVM's (and quite a few techs for that matter) who struggle with finding a good work/life balance. I know it's hard when you're so passionate about you do but you will wear yourself down eventually, leaving the clinic during lunch is definitely a good idea. As for those days when it's just not going to happen- meal prepping, a small cooler filled with healthy alternatives, and will power are your best bet. Maybe even your own tiny mini fridge under your desk? I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your new career
  • ldwatene
    ldwatene Posts: 150 Member
    Curious have you ever recorded everything you ate as you ate and what time you ate it?

    You'll probably find it interesting after a week. It will either be really bad and motivate you to say no more or not nearly as bad as you thought and you could focus more on working out.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    Just got back to work after a short spring break and there were 12 (yes TWELVE) big boxes of sweets, from candy bars to donuts. In the kitchen, where also the coffee machine and water cooler are located. I am currently trying to lose a few kilos after a limited physical activity period, so I am just pretending they are not there. There is no other way. If I were to try just one piece of each, which I would love to, I would be over my calories for the entire week probably. Learn to plan your meals, plan treats too, and do not just eat whatever is available. Just because a fast food place is around the corner or someone brings treat to work, it does not mean you have to eat them. No other way to make this work
  • Zeale
    Zeale Posts: 1 Member
    Hey Futurecowvet

    I work in a similar environment. I have customers who constantly “thank” me and my team by supplying us with assorted highly caloric baked goods and a boss who thinks he can motivate his staff by purchasing cakes and donuts for his subordinates rather than handing out bonuses and pay rises. Here are some options I’m trying:

    1.) Get rid immediately. Throw them straight in the garbage before your willpower breaks.
    2.) Offload them onto another department who aren’t as concerned about their waistline. Give them to fat Rhonda so she can stuff her gob at a rate of 2 donuts per minute.
    3.) Lie: Tell them you’re diabetic and they just gave you poison.
    4.) Be honest: Ask them if they would give a heroin junkie heroin? Then why did they just give an obese person refined sugar? (Sorry if you’re not obese, just trying to illustrate a point. I’m obese but working on it)
    5.) Technically, at least in the UK, unsolicited goods supplied in such a fashion would be considered under the briberies act. Thus the cakes and donuts would be a bribe and you can’t accept them since you, rather than the company, would personally benefit from them.

    I would really like to stamp out this culture of giving out baked goods loaded with refined sugar as bribes and rewards. If you want to really thank someone, nothing makes them feel more appreciated than hard cold cash.

    Good luck, be strong.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    edited April 2017
    Orphia wrote: »
    Think of work as like a supermarket, and your calorie limit like your budget.

    There are endless amounts of food at work and the supermarket. You can only spend/eat the calories you're allotted.

    You don't go into debt at the supermarket. Don't go into debt at work.

    You can have treats, just have them in moderation. Getting up earlier than your alarm is a great idea, as exercising buys you more calories/food to eat.

    ^^This.
    At the end of the day, you have to want the weight loss more than you want the food. Believe me, the free food train of cakes, doughnuts, catering, etc...is never ending at my workplace too. Just because it's there, does not mean that you have to eat it. When you start feeling the temptations, think about how far you've come in your weight loss/health. Picture yourself healthier, full of energy, wearing smaller clothes..whatever your ultimate goal is. Then ask yourself if the extra food is worth more than the goal.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    Zeale wrote: »
    Hey Futurecowvet

    I work in a similar environment. I have customers who constantly “thank” me and my team by supplying us with assorted highly caloric baked goods and a boss who thinks he can motivate his staff by purchasing cakes and donuts for his subordinates rather than handing out bonuses and pay rises. Here are some options I’m trying:

    1.) Get rid immediately. Throw them straight in the garbage before your willpower breaks.
    2.) Offload them onto another department who aren’t as concerned about their waistline. Give them to fat Rhonda so she can stuff her gob at a rate of 2 donuts per minute.
    3.) Lie: Tell them you’re diabetic and they just gave you poison.
    4.) Be honest: Ask them if they would give a heroin junkie heroin? Then why did they just give an obese person refined sugar? (Sorry if you’re not obese, just trying to illustrate a point. I’m obese but working on it)
    5.) Technically, at least in the UK, unsolicited goods supplied in such a fashion would be considered under the briberies act. Thus the cakes and donuts would be a bribe and you can’t accept them since you, rather than the company, would personally benefit from them.

    I would really like to stamp out this culture of giving out baked goods loaded with refined sugar as bribes and rewards. If you want to really thank someone, nothing makes them feel more appreciated than hard cold cash.

    Good luck, be strong.

    While there is some good advice here (getting rid of the food, etc..), I would respectfully disagree with lying or shaming people for giving you food gifts. I don't think that would be a good way to build healthy business relationships with reps, etc...
  • deviousme7
    deviousme7 Posts: 61 Member
    Prepare your food
    Prelog your food
    Eat before you get really hungry
    Stop making excuses
    Say no
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    IMO? Pack a lunch. Log that. Eat that. Then use that one hour to go for a walk (unless waking up earlier and working out then works out for you). Then learn to say no to whatever people bring (or tell yourself you'll have one treat a day, and choose carefully - being on your feet all day, you can probably easily get away with that).

    Also you can eat a reasonable lunch in fast food places without it being 1000 calories.

    On week ends, just go for a walk or something and take your phone with you.

    In the end though... you have to want to lose the weight more than you want the treats, and nobody can do that for you.
  • elleaitch11
    elleaitch11 Posts: 7 Member
    I agree with the others - pack a lunch. If you don't get time to leave, eat the lunch you packed. If you do get time to leave, eat the lunch you packed, just not in the office. Walk during that time, or just rest.
    Also, if waking up too early is leaving you tired (and hungry) later in the day, choose more sleep over exercise. Weight loss is primarily about the food you eat (or don't) so I wouldn't stress at this point about getting up early to work out. You have a long lunch break to walk, and aren't sedentary at work, so I would't stress.

    And if you can, ask the reps to not bring food, and tell the staff to stop bringing you candy. Maybe even make a little sign for your desk "Candy-free zone!"
  • Chadxx
    Chadxx Posts: 1,199 Member
    Only one person has control over what goes into your mouth and that is you. Lots of us have been offered sweets at work. At my last job, I was in good with the owners and constantly invited, not only to business meetings but just out to eat and drink and it was all paid for. Depending on the circumstances, I either went and ate sensibly or just politely declined. We had contractors bringing in donuts and even barbeque but no one else ever put the food in my mouth for me. It was my choice. Only once did I have a donut, a maple glazed with nuts. I set it aside, looked up the calories, worked it into my budget, and ate it right before heading to the gym when I could benefit from extra carbs. Now, I drive a truck all day and have zero place to store or prepare meals. I simply pack my lunch, and unsweet tea in a small cooler and bring my "splenda" and sugar free hazelnut creamer for my coffee. No excuses. You can absolutely do this. You just have to choose to.
  • Josyurtos23
    Josyurtos23 Posts: 63 Member
    Call me crazy but I have issues with food given at work. I feel no one washes their hands properly and coughs and sneezes all over it therefore I will not touch it if it's public. If someone hands me something personally then I will politely say "thank you I'll have some in a little bit"and put a napkin over it, put it aside until I can toss it later on.

    Hope this helps
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    If you have an hour and a half that you can go home and eat lunch and do chores, you probably have time to work out then, too.
  • sylkates
    sylkates Posts: 173 Member
    edited April 2017
    ccsernica wrote: »
    JeromeBarry1 wrote: »
    Trash can for the drug reps food gifts.

    Or, since wasting food while others go hungry is to say the least unkind, send it to the nearest homeless shelter.

    If it's hot/prepared foods, or fresh-baked goods (not pre-packaged), most homeless shelters aren't set up to take it/ redistribute it. There are really sad, strict laws against them doing that in many cities, too (health code violations.)

    Sometimes, the garbage is the only place it fits - it doesn't fit into your diet, your coworkers don't want it or can;t finish it, it doesn't keep well in the fridge. If the only place it can actually go is into the belly of someone who wants to eat LESS food, or into the garbage can, then into the garbage can it goes. I had to re-learn my idea of "wasting" food to realize that food that is more than I want that also can't get to someone else who does want it, it's equally wasteful to shove it down my throat and then gain unwanted calories for it, as it is to put it in the garbage can. The key is to stop the food waste from coming in before it gets to you, IE find a way to tell the people bringing it, thanks but no thanks, or when buying food for yourself, to just not buy too much.
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    For the drug rep food, you can take a moral stance in your mind. Tell yourself that they are bribing you with free food while charging your patients $500 a month for their prescriptions. That would be enough to turn my stomach.
    (FYI, not looking to get into an argument about affordable health care, just helping the OP find a good reason to say no thanks.)
  • laur357
    laur357 Posts: 896 Member
    I think planning is really the key - you have a lot of variables, but you can work with them!

    For the fast food places and restaurants around you - these don't have to undo your day. Pick a few go-to items you like and memorize the calorie/nutrition info. Pair them with lower calorie items you keep at work.
    McDonalds - I like breakfast foods always, so I get an egg McMuffin (300ish cals) and eat it with an apple or veggies and dip. Or, I'll leave some vegetable soup at my desk and grab some McNuggets to go with it.
    Qdoba - I have a burrito bowl order I always get. The calories are a little higher than my regular lunches, but it keeps me full for a really long time. So, I know I'm going to be fine eating a lighter dinner.

    I generally don't tell people about my weight loss activities, but there are times when it it might work in your favor. Let your coworkers know you're going to cut back on candy/sweets/pastries or want to eat lighter because you're training for a race, whatever it may be. Bring your own 100 calorie packs, portioned cheese and nuts, veggies, fruit, protein bars, jerky, etc. Offer to share. Maybe some coworkers will also get in on the lighter eating trend and bring fewer Reese's Cups to your desk. Maybe you can initiate a wellness challenge of some sort between coworkers.

    Food prepping - since you have good intentions to leave for lunch, but don't always get to do it, you need to plan for that. Stash a frozen meal (pre-made or homemade) at work for emergencies. Pack a lunch then take it out of the office to eat it so you aren't interrupted.

    Vendor days - portion control + volume from lower calorie foods. They're trying to make a sale, so mention foods you want to eat. They're paying attention. Donuts again? Too bad there's no fruit tray; That minestrone soup X group brought from the Olive Garden last week was so good! I could go for more of that. They're trying to make a sale and woo you, so mention foods you want to eat.
  • Iamnotasenior
    Iamnotasenior Posts: 235 Member
    After reading and re-reading your post, I think you have gotten a lot of good advice but I also think perhaps, this is less about the presence of food in your workplace but more about your relationship with food. If food is a "reward" or a "comfort" when you are having a bad day or are stressed about something, then you need to be honest about that and find something else to use to de-stress. Exercise is an excellent way to deal with stress, as are: a hot bubble bath with candles and music, a massage, a manicure, a new pair of shoes, a facial, 30 minutes with a good book on a park bench, etc., etc., etc. Stop thinking of that Reeses peanut butter cup as something you "deserve" because you are "running ragged" and it will be easier to say no.

    I was a paralegal for 17 years and we had vendors come in almost every day and leave warm chocolate chip cookies , popcorn and/or candy bars on our desks. I would take mine directly to the break room and leave it there for someone else to devour or it would go directly in the trash. Then I told my vendors to please stop bringing me food. I told them it would make me much happier if they would stop trying to sabotage my health and if they really wanted to do something for me, to donate some food to a homeless shelter in my name or make a charitable donation to the local orphanage at the end of the year. They listened, and they did it. Problem solved. You have to take control of your environment and your life and stop letting your environment control you.
  • qpmomma1
    qpmomma1 Posts: 220 Member
    I work in an office and I've started bringing my lunch. If I feel like I have to leave to get some peace I'll drive to a parking lot and eat in the car.
  • melodydee66
    melodydee66 Posts: 115 Member
    At my last company, we put two boxes in the lobby. One was a food bank box and the other was a box for "socks, coats, warm clothes, etc.". There was a sign that read, in lie of gifts of appreciation, please consider donating to the food bank or homeless shelter. Due to food restrictions and allergies, we are no longer able able to accept gifts that are in the form of food/drink/candy, etc. Thank you for your consideration and your help in making this world a brighter place for those in need!
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    I'd want to set boundaries with the staff and reps.

    For your staff, I don't want to deprive them of the pleasure of nurturing you with food. What if you insist on healthy snacks, for example find a brand of protein bar you like and ask that they give you these instead of Reese's? (Caution, protein bar calories add up and many snack bars are just glorified candy bars.) And/or ask for fruit or nuts. (Note: nuts are easy to overeat!) I'm having a hardboiled egg with 15 g of roasted, salted sunflower seeds as a snack right now. I wanted something salty and this hits the spot.

    For the reps, I do like the idea of depriving them from bribing you with food. Lots of good ideas above. Do you see the same reps consistently or is it a constant stream of new ones? I think you'd need different approaches for these different scenarios.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    melodydee66 wrote: »
    At my last company, we put two boxes in the lobby. One was a food bank box and the other was a box for "socks, coats, warm clothes, etc.". There was a sign that read, in lie of gifts of appreciation, please consider donating to the food bank or homeless shelter. Due to food restrictions and allergies, we are no longer able able to accept gifts that are in the form of food/drink/candy, etc. Thank you for your consideration and your help in making this world a brighter place for those in need!

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