Handling Stress

[AliveAgain 283]

Veteran Sleevers: How do/did you handle stress post-surgery?

I'm 3+ months out and have had the "luxury" of being unemployed since just before surgery. I definitely keep myself busy, exercise every day, and job searching is a job within itself. But today I had a job interview with 12 people over 3.5 hours, with an hour drive there and back. Plus the past two days of frantically searching for interview clothes that fit, I came home freaking exhausted. I mean SCARY exhausted. Just from the interview, not even a full day's work. I also got a bit of a headache part way through, which I think was slight dehydration. I had plenty of Protein and fluids in the morning, but after about hour three of not being able to grab a snack or truly drink enough (they gave me a small cup of water) -- I was hurting. Thankfully I'd packed a kit in the car knowing I'd need something on the way home. The interview wasn't even that daunting or tough, but just sitting for that long was work!

But now I'm really worried that I'm not going to be able to keep up with the pace I used to once keep. Long hours, long commute, while trying to stay motivated to hit the gym and prepare healthy meals and Snacks. It's not the first time I've lagged in energy since surgery, but I was hoping it would be better by now.

I'm really scared and not sure what to do.

[futureskinnypants 193]

oh gosh. You kinda scared me. I work 80 hours a week and i'm not sure how im going to handle all the stress or working so much, driving so much, relationships, family, all that. I guess i never thought about it. I think the only cure is a vacation every month....yup, thats it. Thats the answer glad i helped , your welcome

[AliveAgain 283]

Yeah, it's scary. But it was the 60+ hour per week, 15+ hours of commuting and high stress that made me gain the weight in the first place. So I really don't want to go back there - EVER. But I see people everyday doing the job I once did and they don't gain weight like crazy. After being "let go" from my last job because my old boss' boss did not care for my "physical appearance," I decided I needed to take some time and really evaluate why I wasn't making myself a priority anymore. I've had therapy and taking really big steps to gain a healthy balance back. But now, I'm overqualified for "easier" jobs and I can't go much longer without work. I'm seriously unable to sleep at night with the thought of not being capable to working again.

Why do so many employers think this is normal and you should get used to it?

[futureskinnypants 193]

First of all, isn't that some kind of prejudice, weightism? I would have fought that. Some people just handle the stress better i guess. I blame my busyness a lot ....but its ME that drives through for fast food every day for lunch...sometimes dinner too. I could be smart and get a salad, or pack healthier choices but its not that convenient. Thats a huge fear for me with this. Will I be able to pack a healthier lunch working all these hours? Or am I going to still end up at mcdonalds? I guess we'll just have to promise our selves to do this for us. And keep in touch. its hard being working women! Especially working as many hours as we do.