So I work at a health club, but its making me fat. Help?

I work at Lifetime Fitness, and for the most part it isn't bad. I enjoy one job I work very much--working the rock wall. But the two other jobs I have-- working the front desk and birthday parties-- is a little harder to deal with. Front desk is just SO boring, and you have to stand for upwards of 6 hours at a time. So afterward I do not want to work out-- my legs are stiff and aching and by the time I'm done working I just want to collapse.

Birthday parties are hard for another reason, and are the biggest point of concern. While we get to run around with the kids, we also ALWAYS have pizza delivered and the parents usually offer us some. And its SUPER hard to say no-- this pizza is actually to die for. Its salty and greasy and everything I ever loved about pizza. And as a result I ALWAYS overeat, especially when they leave the pizza with us.

Also, many families offer us cake, and its so hard to say no to that too. The only time I can is when it has strawberry or raspberry in the middle-yuck. I need help avoiding these weight loss killers! And I cant leave the room, I have to serve the food =[ And afterward, ALL you want to do is veg out and eat some pizza. Its hard =[ Any suggestions?

Any suggestions? Stop making excuses.....   

Truth is that being a healthy weight and looking after yourself physically takes some effort and a little self-discipline.  Yes, it is hard to say no to things but hey, life's a bitch! If you're constantly eating bits of old greasy leftover pizza and troughing down donated cakes.... that's a nice lazy, easy route to take but it's not helping your mood (junk food is a depressant) or your shape.  Next time pizza appears on the desk, move it to another room or dump it in the bin.  Bring your own healthy lunches.  Learn how to say 'no cake for me, thanks'... and mean it.

And you don't have to work-out to be healthy ... standing behind a desk is actually more energetic than you might give it credit for.  But why not find something you can do that gets you out in the fresh air?  A brisk walk at lunchtime or a jog round the block after work?   Use up some spare energy, get away from the second-hand air and strip-lights and it might make you feel more invigorated at the same time!

Original Post by gi-jane:

Any suggestions? Stop making excuses.....   

Truth is that being a healthy weight and looking after yourself physically takes some effort and a little self-discipline.  Yes, it is hard to say no to things but hey, life's a bitch! 

^this^ (except I would say it takes a LOT of self discipline). 

Also... try packing and eating your own healthy lunch, dinner or snacks before the party and you'll find it easier to say no to the pizza and cake you're offered.

Hey!

I always take food with me -

I have discovered healthy clean foods that I really enjoy!

I love macadamia and brazil nuts - and also chopped cucumber sticks -  so, I take these healthy foods that I love with me - so when I get hungry, I fill up on these healthy foods.


Do you have any food that is easy to take with you - that you actually enjoy, an will also fill you up, thus making over eating on pizza less appealing?

Also - it is fine to have 1 piece of pizza, say,  twice a week. If you do not exceed your total calories, a piece of pizza can VERY EASILY be added into your maintenance calories.

Do you think you can learn to enjoy ONE piece of pizza, no more than 3 days a week?      

Or, are you an all or nothing type of person -  you would rather have a LOT of your favorite fast food - and not feel satisfied with a SMALL amount?

Also -  some days, you can even have a piece of pizza AND a SMALL piece of cake!


Even twice a week!

If you factor it into you calories - pizza AND cake is even possible…..

Being slim and healthy CAN be enjoyable - but it is still hard work, because it is hard for a lot of people to stop at just ONE SERVING of food, when it tastes really good!

I actually deal with both of these things at my job at a hotel.

Standing behind a desk for 6 hours does burn quite a few calories, btw, try logging it into your activity sometime and you'll see what I mean. But I've found that there is NO WAY that I will ever exercise after work. If I'm going to do it I make sure to get it in before work. Use that to motivate you into doing it before you go to work: last chance to work out today.

And I also get lots of leftover food from catering at work. Yummy, but not so healthy. Especially the wedding cake, ooohh the wedding cake. Lol! I agree with personaltrainer87. Granted its easier to say than to do, but remember that there will always be more pizza and cake at the next birthday party. Try to limit the number of times you indulge to a couple a week and in reasonable portions. Also, when you know you will be working a birthday party, work that into your calories for the day so that you are compensating for the high-calorie pizza with lower calorie meals the rest of the day.