My job is making me fat.

I started a new job a year and a half ago.  Since then I have gained 40 lbs.   I keep trying to diet and exercise and just keep going back to my old ways once I have a bad day at work.   

Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you overcome it and lose the weight?   I need all the help I can get.

If the new job is stressful and it's that which is leading you to overeat or make poor food choices then finding ways to de-stress are going to be top of your list.   It'll also help to remove the foods you tend to overeat from your home.  If 'a bad day at work' means you come home drink wine and eat ice-cream, for example, don't have them around you. If the job is time-consuming which means you find yourself eating on the hoof too often... being better organised can be really useful.  Preparing packed lunches the night before, having the right ingredients for a healthy meal ready for when you get home.  Make it easier for yourself to eat well than to eat badly.  Takes effort - no getting away from it.

When my job wasn't going too well and I was 50lbs overweight I realised that, I might not be able to change the work, but I could do something positive about improving my health and my diet.  In doing so and taking better care of myself, my mood improved so much that I had a lot fewer 'bad days at work'.  Best of luck.

When you say  old ways what do you mean? The first step  is making up your mind to get healthy and then doing it. Nothing can be done without some kind of willpower and life style change. If it is snacking that is the problem, pack your lunch and snacks. It is all about planning. Exercise is just something  you have to incorporate into your life. Don't make excuses. Make it part of your daily routine. People can offer advice/suggestions but in the end it is up to you. I have many days where I don't want to workout but I do it. Once you get into a routine and it becomes habit it is easier. When you see the results it motivates you. Allow yourself a cheat meal once a week and eat your favorite things that help from feeling deprived. Healthy food can be good you just have to be creative and experiment.

I have a desk job, which means I get no exercise throughout my day unless I go to the gym.   I take walks outside on my breaks and I go to the gym immediately after work so that I don't get home and have the "I don't want to go back out" syndrome.

I bring my breakfast and lunch so I can control what I eat while I am at work as well.

If your job is stressful, work off of it.  Nothing is better than taking out some anger in a workout after a hard day.

It is all about staying motivated and not losing sight of your goal.  I have lots of people that are completely unsupportive and will try to get me to eat things I know I shouldn't.  But I know it is just because they want to be able to do what I do and they just haven't committed.   So...with that said, focus on what you need to do and forget about the rest. 

hi there,

if you work a desk job (like i do) i would suggest working out either before or after work. For me, personally, i am too tired when i get home, so i get up earlier to fit exercising into my day. This will help boost your weight loss. Also, i know people in the office can bring in a lot of fatty treats, etc, so try to avoid these.. as well as the vending machine! Bring in your own snacks so when you get hungry you can reach for those instead. I personally keep in my desk these soy protein bars for when my hunger really strikes and its not quite yet lunchtime. I also bring my own lunch as this is a lot healthier (and saves me money too!) than going out and buying something.

you can do it!

I started my first desk job about 6 months ago after working pretty physical part time jobs all through university...everyday I get more of an 'office ass', I swear, my bum has never been so flat and mushy before .  BUT I have a gym right across the street and after eating out for a few months I'm on track with my lunches. 

I think the big thing for me is to plan out my day the night before, make lunch, pack the gym bag, set the coffee maker, sometimes I even pick out my clothes.  It just makes my day go smoother, and when it goes smoother I'm more than happy to excersize.  When I forget everything I don't want to go back to get the gym clothes  or whatever, and when I have a hot dog for lunch I don't want to work out.

Not trying to sound rude, but it sounds more like an excuse. I understand that work is stressful... Many jobs are. And sometimes after work, a little bit of comfort food feels good. But I'm sure that any job you get would be stressful... Personal relationships with people are stressful, too, life in general is stressful. If losing the weight is important to you, you have to push yourself a little to stay on track, and keep yourself dedicated to your goal of losing it. Because the more times you just go back to the old way, the harder it will be to convince yourself to stay on point next time.

Chichi, it sounds like we're in the same boat.  I've been at my current job for almost 3 1/2 years and I've been struggling with this same problem since Day 1.  I've gained 53 pounds (I am 5'11" by the way) during this time and NEVER in my life have I ever been so out of shape.  And it's absolutely not for lack of want, more like lack of energy and routine. 

My previous job was a mindless desk job with a micro-managing boss that freaked about overtime, so I was literally shooed out the door at 4:45pm daily, which was a blessing.  I could count on having snacks and lunch at the same time every day (and Jenny's right, bringing your own snacks was a HUGE help for keeping me on track before).  I could count on being at the gym at the exact same time everday, which allowed me 30 minutes of cardio before an hour long grueling weights or kickboxing class.  Monday through Friday, everyday like clockwork.  I got home at a decent hour (still daylight) and still had energy to cook up a yummy, healthy dinner and prepare meals/snacks for the following day.  I got into the best shape of my life and it was so easy then for me to stay on track since I'm a creature of habit.  

So on to a new place of employment.  Where I'm at now, the stress and workload are just ridiculous - it's such an extreme difference compared to my old job.  I come in at 8am and usually leave around 7pm, sometimes later (and what sucks is most days I feel like I'm only putting out the fires, not hitting the real work).  Sometimes I can take lunch at noon, sometimes it's 3pm, and many times not at all.  At this office, people eat fast food for lunch daily and bring in all kinds of crappy food several times a week.  What sucks is they will literally stand at your desk with an open box determined not to leave until you help yourself to 1 or 2 treats.  I have no problem waving off the junk food, especially in the morning when I'm not hungry.  What's really hurting me is leaving work late.  By the time I finally take off, I am just so completely drained that all I want to do is go home, watch an hour of TV to unwind with the husband, then just crash into bed.  Food is almost out of necessity at this point.  I want something quick and easy so I can get to bed faster (and you can forget about grocery shopping regularly).  What's amazing is I'm so sick and tired of fast food...I don't crave it, I just crave the convenience, you know?  

I don't know what spurred it or where the drive finally came from, but something in me snapped this past week.  I guess I just got fed up enough that I've made a mental pact to draw a line with my boss and leave work everyday at 5pm come Hell or high water.  I think that's the biggest hurdle for me right now.  If I can free up my evenings again, I know I can get back on track and into a routine.

Good luck!! :o)