M-m-m-m, That's Good

DEAR WALDMANS: This is the best job I have ever had in my life. I love thebusiness, enjoy the people and like walking to work. However, there seems to be oneproblem: I evidently have enjoyed the job more than I realized. Recently, I grabbed myuniform out of the closet, and as I was zipping the skirt, I realized it wouldn't go upall the way. I had to lie down on the bed to get it closed. This was a rude awakening forme. I worked the entire day feeling uncomfortable and even a little grumpy at times. Thiswas literally affecting my job. I loved this job and now, I seemed to have very littlepatience for the telephone or the people. It was all I could do to sit at my desk. I wasreally having a hard time breathing because my skirt was choking my waistline.

Now, I knew I was in trouble and had to do something fast. It really was a shock torealize that I suddenly had gained all that weight. As reality started to hit me, I knew Ididn't gain it all that quickly. Even though I walk the facility taking potential tenantsto see units and walk from my apartment to work, I knew I didn't really walk to work.After all, my front door was nearly next to the front door of the office. I had beenkidding myself about my weight. Any suggestions on how I can get rid of this extra 20pounds I seem to have found? I absolutely refuse to tell my supervisor that I need newuniforms because I have gained so much weight!

Signed,
DISGUSTED WITH MYSELF in Asheville, N.C.

DEAR DISGUSTED: We have to work hard to be healthy. What you eat and when youeat it affects how you feel--both mentally and physically--throughout the day. Your lossof patience for your clients is very threatening, not only for your job, but for you. Itreally is an awakening when suddenly the clothes we have worn daily become too tight. Thatin itself will make you very irritable.

First, let's look at what you eat during the day and when you eat it. If you eatbreakfast but find you're sluggish and cranky by midmorning, then you are eating the wrongbreakfast. Try foods high in energy such as pumpernickel toast, a hard-boiled egg, orangejuice and tea or coffee with skim milk, no sugar. This will raise your energy levels andput you in a better morning mood. Your coffee break could include a banana and tea orcoffee with skim milk, no sugar. Your body has used up most of that food energy, so eat asmall snack to stay energized. Fruit is healthier and more satisfying than the emptycalories you would get from a doughnut. Lunch should be around 500 calories--and watch outfor fat grams. A pasta salad is a good choice with a little protein (cheese or meat),mineral water and an apple. Anything more than 500 calories will make you sluggish.

After closing the office for the evening, try to exercise. Some of us don't realizethat even though we walk a lot during the day, it is not a consistent fast walk to get theheart rate up. So, invest in a small treadmill for your apartment or walk around thefacility two or three times at least three times a week. Supper should consist of a meat(not fried), such as chicken, with a baked potato and broccoli. Don't forget the mineralwater. After dinner, drink a glass or two of water to completely re-hydrate. Treatyourself to a cup of yogurt so you don't wake up hungry during the night. Keep a journalof everything you eat during the day. Congratulate yourself on eating and exercising tostay healthy. Pretty soon that skirt will zip to the top. You will never have to ask thefacility owner for a bigger size skirt!