Dieting on the job ... and at home

Dieting on the job ... and at home
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I'm not like many people--I never worked outside the home. I went to college. Got my degree. Then worked for my mom as a graphic designer in her home-based business. Soon after Mark and I were married, Aleeta entered our world, then Adam. For fifteen years I was a stay at home mom (though I don't understand that term because I was rarely at home). Mark and I had so much fun raising our first two that when they were in their early teens we said, "That was fun, let's do it again." Alan and Andrew arrived and life continued ... at home.

If it wasn't for Mark's health issues, I really don't think much would have changed for me. I'd still be homeschooling my kids, driving the mom taxi, volunteering, and I'd be busy ... at home. But God had other plans. Today, I'm still at home (can you believe it?). And each weekday morning when the last school bus heads down the street, the first three employees arrive, pulling into the lower driveway which accesses our offices. Thirty minutes later, two more. And so on ... all day long ... in our home. My kitchen is still filled with light treats, but now, I'm not the only one making them. And when the boys arrive home at the end of the day, they check to see if the "on air" light is lit before stepping into the set kitchen and are greeted by many more than just mom and dad.

This week we're talking about strategies for weight loss on-the-job. As you can see, the one thing I've personally never had to deal with is dieting at work. As a weight loss leader, though, I've heard it all. The horror stories of fattening treats in the teacher's lounge (I personally think all teachers are on diets and their weight loss leaders tell them to bring their left-over cakes to work to get it out of the house). I've heard of pushy colleagues who BEG to get you to try the most wonderful home-made family recipe that they made especially "just for you". Members have shared their woes of saboteurs and day-long conferences where the only thing to eat was pizza. Worst of all are the stories of dieters trapped in the food-service industry, preparing and serving tantalizing concoctions all day long. Our hats are off to you!

But the great thing about my job is that I also get to hear all the solutions that people come up with. One gal, who had already lost more than 45 pounds, was encouraged to "polish off" the rest of her boss's birthday cake. So she did. Slice by slice Lana finished that cake. Each piece went into the toilet and disappeared with a great big flush as Lana grinned from ear to ear. Cake gone. Hips intact!

Sarah has become the official birthday cake supplier for her office. Everyone chips in a few dollars and LOVES the fact that she's responsible for the strawberry layer cake (sugar free, of course).

Gina has asked for the Skittles on the reception desk be changed to Resse's Pieces. She's allergic to peanut butter!

The pedometer hanging from the lanyard around Frederik's neck hasn't helped only him, it's been a contagious force throughout his warehouse. It seems a competition of sorts has evolved as coworkers strive to see who can walk the most steps. The pedometer history doesn't lie. (Who says testosterone died with the cavemen?)

The theme that I've noticed throughout my entire career is this ... weight loss isn't easy at work OR at home. If it were, everyone would be thin. But there are two kinds of people in dieting. Those who are fully committed to DOING it find ways to overcome their obstacles. Those who aren't, use the obstacles as reasons why they can't overcome. Remember, we're never given more than we can handle.

"If you think you can or you think you can't ... you're right." --Henry Ford

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