Question for ya

Hey all, Well, I home (briefly) from the writer's conference this week, and I've been asked to submit an article to a businesswomen's magazine regarding weight in the workplace. I'm hoping ya'all can help, lol. Both men and women can chime in here. Here are the survey questions, you can reply here or email them to me. No names will be used in the article, but please let me know in what type of industry you work: 1. What were/are your top 5 frustrations with being overweight in the workplace? 2. What have been the top 5 advantages of your weight loss as it pertains to your work environment? (Or, if you're pre-op, what are you looking forward to?) 3. If you would like, please share a personal story (remember, no names will be used unless you ask me to) that relates to one of the above questions. 4. What would be your top 5 suggestions to women who are struggling with weight related issues in the workplace? Please feel free to add any comments, suggestions, or personal stories/tips you would like. Also, if you would be open to the possibility of having your before/after pictures in the article, please let me know. (This is NOT a requirement) Though this is not a faith-based article, please feel free to comment in that vein if you wish. Here's a chance to make our voices heard! Thanks so much everyone! Blessings! -Perry 358/325/272/210 Perry P. Perkins Christian Novelist Just Past Oysterville: Shoalwater Book One Read chapter one - (www) perryperkinsbooks.com

1. What were/are your top 5 frustrations with being overweight in the workplace? - I am a school bus driver. Some of the issues/frustrations (which at times seem to be countless) are; fitting behind the steering wheel safely (forget comfort, safety is first), walking up or down the aisle and having to go sideways, choosing chairs that won't either "stick with you", being told to be careful with the seatbelt because the extended seatbelts are quite expensive to replace, and having to wait for the bigger bathroom stall because the other is conducive to claustrophobic feelings. 2. What have been the top 5 advantages of your weight loss as it pertains to your work environment? (Or, if you're pre-op, what are you looking forward to?) -as a pre-op, I am looking forward to being able to fit behind the steering wheel of any bus, not having to ask for a larger seatbelt, being able to walk up or down the aisle normally, being comfortable using the smaller restroom stall, and walking side-by-side down a hallway with someone without feeling cramped. 3. If you would like, please share a personal story (remember, no names will be used unless you ask me to) that relates to one of the above questions. -the mechanics had to order me a new seatbelt for my bus because I was unable to wear mine the way you are supposed to legally, it was unsafe and did not allow me a good view of cross traffic (it held me too tightly to be able to move & see clearly). When it was replaced I was advised to "be careful with it because they cost a lot of money." I can tell you right now that I felt about as big as a house and as small as an ant all at the same time. 4. What would be your top 5 suggestions to women who are struggling with weight related issues in the workplace? -First, do not be afraid or ashamed to ask for a more comfortable seating arrangement if your seat or chair is too small for you. Secondly, if there is an issue with the ignorance of other workers keep in mind...YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON AND YOU ARE SPECIAL! Don't let anyone discriminate against you in any way.

Hi Perry, I work in the investment industry and am pre-op. The Top 5 frustrations, wow. Although I was a trainer for 4 years in my previous, non-investment industry, position, I have continually been passed up for any projects that involve being in front of people to discuss our product. That, of course, means less opportunity for promotion. As an overweight woman, I also get the "Julie McCoy" projects. You know the ones, organizing the pot lucks and team building. Again, very little opportunity for promotion. Although I have the same professional designations and ratings in the company, I am never chosen to meet with the big-wigs in the company. And let's not talk about what I had to do to get a chair that had a wide seat. What am I looking forward to? To be very honest, I'm looking forward to being a bit more marketable, in another industry. I feel like I don't want to waste my "new" self in the same old place. If I don't feel like my soul is being fed now it still won't be after surgery if I stay where I am. I am looking forward to teaching classes in journaling and life plan writing, being back in front of folks. I want to take singing classes, I haven't sung in a long time. Perry, If I had a before and after you would be welcome to use it. My best suggestion to anyone out there considering WLS is to be true to yourself. It took me many long years to get to a place where I realized that I deserved better than I was getting. In work and in life. Keep the faith and always look forward, Linda

1. What were/are your top 5 frustrations with being overweight in the workplace? 1.. Being ignored by boss.. 2.. being passed over for promotions.. 3.. No one taking anything serous you say.. 4... being put in the back room when people of importance come into the business.. 5.. being told to do ALL the dirty work !! washing windows, picking up trash outside, sweeping the curbs around the place.... being told if you do NOT do these things you will be replaced !! 6.. Bosses standing next to you and asking you if you bathed !! 7.. Bosses or co workers asking you WHERE did you find cloths big enough to fit you ?!?! 8.. A boss asking you are you sure that uniform shirt will be BIG enough to FIT YOU !?!?! 9.. Hearing the boss say to other co workers Well I bet we should order allot more with HER working today !!! 10.. Over hearing the boss telling fat jokes about YOU in the next room to sells Reps.. Actually I could make a list of 20 or more !! 2. What have been the top 5 advantages of your weight loss as it pertains to your work environment? (Or, if you're pre-op, what are you looking forward to?) 1..Being able to acually reach boxes over your head with out knocking stuff off counters.. 2..Being able to stock shelves and not hear others wispering about you might be snacking.. 3.. Being able to ask for a smaller uniform shirt !! and the Boss say why ?? 4.. Being ask !! what would I like to order for lunch.. 5.. Being ask if I would like to go have coffee with the bosses or co workers !! 6.. The Boss asking you for your opinon in something.. 7.. The boss or Co worker asking you if you had done your hair different ?? 3. If you would like, please share a personal story (remember, no names will be used unless you ask me to) that relates to one of the above questions. One day when promotions were being handed out.. I had been working at this one station for about a year.. I had my interview for the position of ass.. manager.. After walking from the office and standing at the regester buying a coke, the office door was open and I heard the manager say to another girl, Well I know she is quilifyed for the position !! But can you imagine me giveing HER keys to the store ?? I mean she is So fat !! She would probley come in after hours and grab snacks !! I mean she would eat ALL the profits !! And WHO would want to work under her anyway ?!?!?! And so I think I will give the job to Kim, even though she is not quit as quilifyed, I think we can train her... 4. What would be your top 5 suggestions to women who are struggling with weight related issues in the workplace? 1.. Never except being looked down on !! 2.. If the boss says well if you don't want to do your job I can replace you.. Remind them that it is STILL against the law to discrimonate and ordering you to do ALL the dirty jobs is discrimonatetion !! 3.. Hold your head high. Don't allow other to talk down to you !! 4.. Don't just ask for respect, DEMAND it !! being treated like everyone else is ONLY respect !! 5.. If anyone makes dertrougery remarks about your size, weight, hygene, demand an appoligy and that they are repermanded !! Please feel free to add any comments, suggestions, or personal stories/tips you would like. Also, if you would be open to the possibility of having your before/after pictures in the article, please let me know. (This is NOT a requirement) I am now post op, I had my surgery July 21,2004 in Denver Colorado,by Dr. Brown at PSL gave me back my life !! pre op, I wore an oxygen tube, C PAP machine to sleep,I used a walker to hold myself up to walk, I was never ask to be a room mom, never ask to partisapate in any town meetings.. Never really talked to by people on the street, ya I was talk at, but this is not the same as being talked to.. I was pityed by people, people would stare at me when I would walk out in my yard, stare at me when I would climb in the car, I am not sure if they were waiting for tires to pop or waiting to see how far the car would lean to one side when getting in the car.. But when a very large person, you start hearing children asking their moms and dads what is wrong with that lady and pointing toward you !! You are never ask a table or booth when eatting in a restraunt, you are lead to a table.. And ALWAYS offered the buffett by the waitress right off even before asking what you would like to drink !! Sence my WLS I have now lost about 170 pounds .. WOW what a difference !! now all of a sudden people talk to you !! Look you right in the eye when speeking to you.. Now when walking into a restraunt I am ask if I would like to have a table or booth !! Now I can fit into a NORMAL restroom stall ! And even shut the DOOR !! And guess what I fit !! Now the waitress ask me if there is anything wrong with my food when I can not finish my plate !! All of a sudden men stand and hold the door open for me when intering a gas station even if they haft to hold it open for a few minutes till I get there !! Now when walking down an ile in a store and someone bumps my cart, they say I am sorry Please excues me !! Now when reaching for something off a higher shelf in like Walmart, someone acually comes up and ask if I would like some help !!! When starting to take my things out of a store I am ask if I would like some help with my stuff !! I have noticed that people treat people different according to their size !! Though this is not a faith-based article, please feel free to comment in that vein if you wish. Here's a chance to make our voices heard! Thank you very much for allowing me to voice how things are different !! Maybe this will help others along the way.. Audrey