Health at Work

It's been a rough week for the gym. I over-estimated my intolerance of dirty hair and have been to the gym every other day. That's still better than not going to the gym. I put in a full workout once I get there, and it feels good.

Deciding what to do tomorrow is tough. Weight training and then the arc trainer? Swimming? I'm way off of the triathlon training schedule, but I'm trying to stay positive and build on my progress.

I'm also feeling motivated by news that overweight Alabama employees will pay extra for health insurance next year. I hate the thought of my employer minding the details of my personal business like that and plan to take every step necessary to stop it. We currently have fitness consultants who stop by and are friendly once a month. They encourage us to exercise, lose weight, and eat right. They're nice people. I don't have anything against them personally.

The thing is, my employer shouldn't be involved in this part of my life. I don't want to report my weight, blood pressure, and bmi to my employer. I wish I could tell them (without being singled out in a negative way) that my weight issues are complex. They aren't strictly a matter of will power. They have to do with a number of intricate emotional and social factors.

I have made three suggestions to my employer to improve health in the work place and the responses thus far.

1) Stock vending machines with fruits and veggies. That way, if I forget to pack a healthy snack, I can choose other options besides soda and candy bars and chips. This was declined on the grounds that it would be too difficult and expensive to stock perishable items.
2) Offer relaxation classes and groups. This wasn't rejected outright, but the suggestion was made that I lead the relaxation class. My answer? I'm stressed out because I'm responsible for too many things at work. Putting another item on the list does not help.
3) Get the smokers away from the entrances and exits to the building. This cannot be done because it would be perceived as unfriendly to smokers.

Anyway, I could get up in arms about it and refuse to change my lifestyle as a big and bold stand. Realistically, I do want to change my lifestyle and I'm trying to do it in an effective way. This top-down approach is too intrusive and dictatorial for me. I'm going to do my best to keep it from negatively influencing my positive health changes.

On your mark, get set, go!

Having recently passed into the mid-thirties demographic, I did a quick inventory:

• Obese
• Sedentary
• Aches and pains developing
• Biological clock ticking

Furthermore, hiking vacations, long bicycle rides, and roller-blading sound fun. Right now, that just isn't possible. I'd like to be able to take the stairs at work without wheezing or sweating like I ran a marathon.

It is time to get started. Going to the gym is the beginning. Making healthier food choices is the next step. (I still love you McDonald's. I'll never forget you.) Getting educated about what should the third step is even more important.

I'm tired of being tired, stressed, and having a creaky back and a twinge in my neck. Maybe it means more yoga, more meditation, or more prayer. A bigger part of me says that I've spent the last 15 years sitting down. My body is bound to complain.

The gym bag is packed for tomorrow morning. On the schedule: weight training and the elliptical. I've got granola and organic milk for breakfast. I also need to go to the grocery store tomorrow. Fruits and veggies will be important in this new transition.

Here's to new beginnings.