Again Working on the balance of work and life

Hi,

So again I struggle with the work/life balance. I love my job but some changes in the management structure are worrying me. My new "Mentor" and boss is someone I like a person but as a boss...not so much as a boss. I did something I HAVE NEVER DONE....i ACTUALLY CALL IN FOR 2 "MENTAL HEALTH DAYS"
I HAVE A FEELING WITH THIS "NEW ADMINISTRATION" I AM GOING TO BE PUSHED TO DO MORE....I AM PLANNING ON JUST DOING WHAT I HAVE TO....

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THE GYM AND SPEND TIME WITH MY HUSBAND AND FRIENDS !!!

ANYONE ELSE STRUGGLE WITH THIS ?????

first.....I'm glad to see you back Sean :)  Second.....I take mental health days all the time because my mental state after WLS wasn't the MOST stable LOL.  They understand that I have to take a breather every now and then. 

I'm not as socially active as you are so I haven't had to balance anything yet.  I'm determined to change that this year by getting out more and doing stuff.

Sort of. I struggle with the health issues that keep me from the gym and I am so jonesing for a sweat dripping of the hair workout. I understand about wanting to spend more time with the hubby. He works days and I work nights. I usually go to work when he gets home so I see him for about 10 minutes. It sucks.

you too?  I really wanna get to the gym and just doa  heart pouding aerobic exercise....I gave up my membership to the Y because of money.......I'm due for another cortisone shot in my knee because it's acting up again.  I just wanna get back in the gym and sweat my ass off and it's frustrating that I can't.

Small problem here of your heart rates goes up your BP drops so they are afraid that if I work out someone might pass out again. Not sure I would wanna do that at the gym at 2 am when I don't trust the people working to know what to do.

Its not easy. I have had a few problems and my hours at work are getting ready to change in a couple of weeks which are going to make it even worse.

Its good to see back Sean, you were missed!

Jeff

Sean!!! Welcome back...We've missed you buddy!!

I'm sorry that you're struggling right now. It is tough to find that balance. I guess I'm lucky in that I don't have a wife or a husband to worry about so I pretty much do as I please. Pluses and minuses to that for sure.

I'm not a gym person at all so I bought myself an elliptical. It was delivered this week. I unpacked everything last night and my friend is coming over tonight to help me put it together. I can't wait. I can watch TV, listen to my music, whatever I choose. I need this in a big way.

Mental health days are essential for everyone, not just WLS patients..don't be a bit guilty about it. You've been working like a mad man for months now.

Take care!!

Sean,

Work life balance is hard, especially in this economy. My company like most companies are cutting back employees but the work load is the same. That means those in the workplace absorb the others work which translates to longer hours.

Add to that busy lives. It's hard to find those extra few hours you need every day. I am a big volunteer person. I found myself in the situation n where I was just involved in too much. It was not uncommon for me to have meetings 3 or my 5 work nights. As a person who can't say "no", I often ended up a president, chair or a board member. Last year as I prepared for surgery, I knew this had to change. I gave up several of my volunteer positions. I decided to focus on my life and things that were beneficial to my life. Today, I have most of my evenings free for myself.

Exercise was also an issue for me. I looked at my schedule and made a decision to exercise daily first thing in the morning. It was difficult at first but it is now just part of my every day routine. You may have to make a difficult choice to carve out some time. It's not hard to justify. Exercise is very important to your health and weight loss journey.

Quality time with my partner is also an issue. He travels 70% of the work week. When he is home, we strive to do things together and minimize other commitments. It sounds like work is what constrains you. You will have to work within their limits. However, I would voice a concern to management that you need time for your relationship and your health.

This is no easy problem to solve. I have seen many surveys at my employers on what employees want. Work-life balance usually comes in 2nd after higher pay.

Tom

PS: Welcome back!  We did miss you and your Sears bag. 

Hi Sean, I'm Raven, new here. Nice to meet you.

I'm working two jobs, one 32 hours a week and the other 18-20. Between the two of them, finding time to do my writing and spend time with my Honey, I too struggle with exercise. Preop, I was really good with my consistency. I'm four months out from RNY and had a huge energy slump and got out of the habit. I'm only 15 or so pounds from my goal weight but have not found the uhzpah to exercise. To be sure, I'm moving a lot more. Not lugging around 95 extra pounds has made me move up stairs faster (or at all) and walking is not a chore anymore. But... to get myself into any kind of organized exercise routine has eluded me. Part of it is lazy but the other part is simply when? I'm up at 5:30, work from 7 to 1, then eat and off to my second job until 6 and then home (45 minutes traffic on the motorcycle). Dinner and then I'm done for the night and in bed by 9:30. When I'm not doing all that, I'm trying to do a few fun things with my partner, Z, cook healthy food to put in the freezer for all the night's I'm too rushed/tired to cook, clean the apartment, take care of the dog and spend a little time with friends and my daughter and her wife. Eeeeeeeeeeeek.... Yeah, I share your rant even if for different reasons. Maybe we can encourage each other.

All the time sweetie, all the time. And now it seems I am on strike. Have paperwork to do and off work time a plenty to do it in. Nope, didn't do it. Have time to go to the gym, but the wife is injured. Haven't gone. Sit like a lump on the computer. Maybe it's the 'postop depression' someone mentioned, but more likely it's like when you start an antidepressant - you don't initially move more, you just feel more guilty when you are able to look back and see what your life has become. LOL

Just remember, there aren't enough nurses. They can pressure, but around my work, they don't much fire anybody!