Thirsty

I'm REALLY having a tough time with liquids. I just can't seem to get in the amount of fluid that I need. I'm beginning to feel some of discomfort that I was feeling right before I ended with a kidney stone a few months back, so I'm worried. To all of my post-op friends - how do you get all of your fluids in?? I start the day off with the best intentions. I drink my double-scoop protein drink. I get to work and make myself some hot tea - Earl Grey with milk. I drink a cup or so and then the day gets away from me. I'll have some water before lunch.. then I have something to eat. I tell myself that I can't drink after eating.. and then my afternoon is gone and I haven't had anything to drink for hours. I just don't know how to make drinking a bigger priority. Help!

The hard truth

I can't tell you how true the opinion in this article has been for me. Before my WLS, I was invisible in my workplace. I didn't have any friends at work. I was working in a small office by myself.. no one came to talk to me.. no one invited me to functions.. I missed out on so many opportunities. Now I'm visible. I have friends at work. Vendors send me invitations and gifts and give me (and my clients) A LOT of attention. I rock this office in my dresses and heels and my red lipstick and blonde hair. I feel powerful when I walk in the door. I feel unstoppable.

Is Your Image Hurting Your Career?
by Penelope Trunk

Being overweight or sloppily dressed is worse for your career than being a poor performer.

I'm not saying this is fair, I'm saying it's true. So manage your weight, and manage the image you project at work, and you'll do wonders for your career.

If you doubt that your image can inhibit your career, think about this: According to a 2005 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, good-looking people make more money than average-looking people for doing exactly the same work.

Fit in Every Way

Before you get up in arms over how unfair it is to discriminate against people who are overweight, consider that there may be some rationale behind it. If you're overweight, you're probably not exercising every day. But regular exercise increases peoples' ability to cope with difficult situations in the workplace and, according to University of Illinois kinesiology professor Charles Hillman, might even make people smarter.

And the same self-discipline we use to make ourselves exercise regularly and eat in moderation carries over into other aspects of our lives. This is probably why, in a study from Leeds Metropolitan University, people who exercise regularly were found to be better at time-management and more productive than those who don't.

So don't kid yourself that if you do good work it won't matter if you're overweight. It's sort of like people who have messy desks: The perception is that they're low-performers, poor time-managers, and not clear thinkers. This might not be true at all, but the only thing they can do to overcome the perceptions of their coworkers is clean their desks.

Make Image a Priority

What makes this information particularly troubling is that so many people say they can't make time to exercise and eat right because they need to work instead. In fact, if you're overweight, you should probably put aside some of your work, accept that you won't be performing as well at the office, and manage your image more closely by going to the gym.

That's right -- get rid of that perfectionist streak, do a little less work, and use that time to make yourself look better. People will perceive that you're doing better work anyway. So instead of rationalizing why you can put work ahead of taking care of your health, start acting like a healthy person. Go to the gym at lunch, or leave work at 5 to hit the gym. Reorganize your schedule to make health a priority and your coworkers will respect you for it.

Here's something else: Dress like you care. Building a strong brand for yourself is the only way to create a stable career in today's workplace. You'll change jobs often, and what influences your ability to get new jobs most is the image you convey. People judge that before they judge one word that comes out of your mouth.

A Career Constant

I didn't have a weight problem when I owned my first company, but I did have an image problem -- I was younger than almost everyone, and my mentor told me my age was creating problems. So I hired an image consultant to drag me around town and spend lots of money until I looked more grown up.

I still worry about image issues today -- everyone does, no matter where they are in their career. It's just that today I worry less about looking older and more about what shirt is right for an appearance on CNN. The point is that issues of image are ongoing in a career that matters.

So don't be overweight and don't dress carelessly. These are just as detrimental to your career as doing your work poorly. And if my bringing this up makes you angry, consider being more forgiving, because anger is a risk factor for obesity. Besides, forgiveness makes people more resilient to difficulties because it's about seeing the world in a positive light -- which is, of course, also good for your image.

Free

Our friends Aaron and Ivy's son Tyler is now in a better place, free of pain and smiling down upon us. Chris and I feel blessed to have known Tyler while he was with us, and we're so thankful that the Huge family have included us in their lives.

Tyler - we're going to miss you so much. We'll be here to help take care of your Mom and Dad and Andrew and Devon. We love you .. Chris and Danyele

Checking in

My work schedule has been NUTS! lately, but thankfully it quieted down enough for me to take a full lunch break today (shock!), get a manicure (no!), and get caught up on the blogs in the webring (wow!). I don't expect this to last, so I'm making the most of it. I'm just crossing my fingers that I can get the hell out of here at 5pm and make it to my Pilates class. I've missed 2 weeks!! and I'm not happy about it.

Nothing too earth-shattering to report.. scale is bouncing around between 165 and 170 (I like the 160s.. gotta stay here!).. eating is ok, though I know I should be snacking less. It's mostly been on cheese, popcorn, or a protein bar.. but you know. It's never good.. this is related to the crazy work schedule and lack of a proper lunch break. Money is tight, so Chris and I are trying to be frugal and live off of love for the next two weeks. We'll be fine.. it's just a bummer, you know? Good stuff - I get to see my friend Katrina and her new baby Loren, who are out visiting from Minnesota. I'll see them on Saturday. And next weekend I'll meet my Sassy Sistah Melinda from San Diego - too cool! That's about it for now - I'll be back to check in soon.