Ok, this has to the absolute WORST story that I have ever heard about food in the workplace!
One of my clients and I were speaking on the phone today and she was telling me about her challenges in the workplace in regards to food. She is a nurse.
I have learned that nursing is a career filled with food/weight issues. It was surprising to me at first to learn this because I assumed that those giving of themselves to care for the health of others would take their own health needs very seriously. The opposite sadly is often the case.
There are indeed good reasons--stress, long hours, many hours without even a bathroom break (that would make drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day a real challenge!), the emotional toll from watching someone whom you are caring for die, and on and on. But, the worst challenge appears to be the "treats" brought to thank the nurses--by patients, doctors, administrators and other nurses.
There's a constant plethera of food in the nurses station or break room!
Another nurse (who ironically treats Eating Disorder patients) was telling me that last week, for nurse appreciation week, the hospital sent them TONS of food everyday, and nothing healthy was to be found--M&M's, donuts, cookies, cakes, pies, soda, brownies,etc.
But as bad as that might sound, because after all, we can rationize it and say the hospital administration was trying, they were at least acknowledging the good work they do (but hey, think FLOWERS or a bonus check NEXT year Mr. Hospital Administrator!)--I can't think of a worse, and this one is self-inflicted, "celebration" than this one..... (drum roll, please...)are you sufficiently teased yet?
Ok, it's really really bad...
This celebration of gluttonous excess is...
"Thunder Thigh Thursday"
Yes, you read it right.
AND it is actually arranged by and for the nurses! They set out to bring as much "bad" junk as possible and hold a gluttonious (new word?!) fest!
My clients are fighting an uphill battle! They can hold out, they can stick to their healthy resolves but geez; does it really have to be this crazy?
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The first client is recently back to work in the hospital setting after spending nearly 15 years teaching Lamaze. Now she is on a maternity ward that delivers more babies than just about any hospital in the nation. She is busy the entire time that she is at work. I have her bringing a cut up protein bar in a baggie so that she can grab a quick HEALTHY bite on the run. She has lost weight since starting this new job, but it hasn't been easy.
Her boss finally gets it and doesn't offer her the treats anymore, but she feels very lonely in her desire to be healthy in the midst of so much food. I know she isn't alone. I have more nurses as readers than perhaps any other career. Here is an article about me in NurseWeek:
http://www.nurseweek.com/news/features/04-07/weightloss.asp
Despite our job, our workplace challenges or the temptations around us, we all can band together and declare a "Fit Body Friday!" Next time it's your turn to bring a treat, cut up fresh fruit to work with you and see if you can start a new trend! And, in your next evaluation--tell you boss a thank you that would really mean something to you is CASH!--not trash!
I told my nurse to think of it this way--if someone's idea of thanking you is to bring you junk, they can't really think that highly of your work. If you hold yourself higher than that, and decline the gesture, explain WHY and hold out for something more meaningful--you just may get it!
However, if you say thanks, and open the M&M's and eat them, gain weight and then bash yourself for it later...who feels appreciated? you? your boss? or the guy making M&M's. It's war folks. Obesity kills and unhealthy food fests are the bullets. We must win the war and that means you have to fight.
If you desire to see change in the world, you must first BE the change!--Ghandi
First they will laugh at you,
Then they will ignore you,
Then they will fight you,
Then YOU will win!--Ghandi
If your boss gives you donuts, throw them at him!--Julia
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