Aww...I'm so glad I didn't upset you with what I posted. I was a bit worried about that...even as I pushed the "submit reply" button.
But oh boy...the stress on the job thing I can totally relate to. This happens a LOT with people with drug addictions...a LOT. And to boot, the drugs usually give them more energy that they begin to think they cannot work at a job without. Just goes to show you how addictive food is, especially carbs...due to the dopamine rush, which helps us deal with stress. As soon as I read what you wrote regarding that, I could totally relate and feel it. I mean sure, most of us have loved our jobs but let's face it...a job is a job and if we had a choice, I'm sure most of us would rather be doing something much less stressful.
I mean, seriously....I take care of my dad now (and for the past 5 years) and the thought of going back to work certainly does NOT thrill me. And the related stress is probably the biggest reason. Maybe if I was much younger....but for me, it became more and more stressful to work a job as I got much older. Bored, we can work with, in terms of Atkins...but the job stress thing is much more difficult....especially due to the whole getting tired more easily as we age...making dealing with problems and stress on the job even much more difficult....at least for me. And then...just the whole getting tired OF the job issue...from having done it for so many years and the honeymoon period long, long gone....and then to boot, having to go by someone else's much more rigid schedule instead of being able to control our own schedule.
How many more years do you need to work? Before you can retire?
I'm not totally sure of your age but I'm 58 and graduated from the U of D in 1974....with a double major in history and education....but at that time there were NO teaching jobs to be found.....it was a recession and there was a glut of teachers.....so I went back to school for nursing, because that's where the jobs were. In fact, quite a few years later, there was a shortage of teachers and there began to be a bit of an oversupply of nurses...though it's still fairly easy to find nursing jobs. When there's a glut, people go into other fields...which then causes a shortage down the road....just like with house-building/real estate. But I'd really wanted to be a high-school history teacher....can you believe that? I'm sure I wouldn't be so thrilled with it anymore if I was doing that now...esp. at my age.
Hehe....one thing that has always helped me regarding the dopamine rush/stress management at work thing....was if I became attracted to some guy I worked with. But unfortunately both nursing and teaching does not include working with a lot of men....you work with mostly students and I worked with mostly patients....geriatric ones at that.
Man, I don't even know what I can even advise to help you with this stress on the job/needing carbs for it issue. When can you retire? I'd much rather see you in a non-stressful environment where you could stick to the diet much easier. But I can SO totally relate....I feel exactly the same now at this time in my life. When does your school go back in session? I am now anxious to see if you will be able to see that whew, you CAN work while eating on the Atkins plan...and then be much less worried about it....and hope that happens SOON.
deena