Hi all. I am a 41 year old living in Westminster, CO. I have been heavy my whole life and have dieted off and on. (Ok, mostly off.) I landed my DREAM job in late January and it's become clear that I am going to have to do something to change my body type, something drastic. While I can't disclose where I work, I am a director of HR at a sports national governing body. Our sport is a summer Olympic sport, primarily men's.
The moment of utter embarrassment came for me just yesterday. I have to travel as part of my job. Apparently, we have to wear a white button down shirt with our logo embroidered on the chest and on the sleeve cuff. All of the women here play sports, workout, run and are very fit. I am traveling at the end of March for work and so one of our admin assistants asked me if an XL button down from Express would work (she sent me a link to their website). Thank God she asked in an email. I couldn't even shop at Express in high school and I could only wear socks from Express at this point. So, I had the uber-embarrassing task of ordering my own shirts online (in a size 26W/28W - and you better believe I am going to remove the tag!!!) and having them sent to the embroidery company. I was also given a windbreaker, the largest size they had in our warehouse, a men's 3X. It fits pretty much everywhere except the hips so I cannot zip it up. I haven't told anyone that yet, I just kept it and made myself promise that, in about 2.5 weeks I'm going to be able to zip the darn thing. I FEEL like a warehouse.
I am feeling so ashamed. I will have to follow dress code and TUCK IN the button down shirt. The thought makes me want to cry. I don't want to tuck in the shirt and the thought makes me sick. I am at my heaviest, at 326 pounds. It mortifies me to admit that. I hope that I can find support here...I am sure many of you have been where I am... or are currently. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated.

PLEASE don't be ashamed & stop beating yourself up!

Just start today to make a "better" you. Good Luck on your journey & remember that it will take time with ups and downs, just come to 3FC and vent away and also share all your victories.

Take a pic of you in that shirt and jacket, because next year when they are history, you will be glad that you did.

Oh, I definitely have empathy here. My last job required me to wear a uniform shirt and it was not flattering (I was heavier). I think the women's dress shirts that meant to not be tucked in actually look better, on all body types, but that's just me.

I wish you luck on your weight loss journey- stick around on 3FC- lots of people will support you and answer questions or just listen as you vent or when you need a sounding board.

YOU can do this!! and never give up hope..Its possible on losing, just believe in yourself, set a plan of action and the weight shall be gone, it takes plenty of time and hard working efforts.

I am or was slightly over 400 Lbs, I am doing my own way and plenty of movements..Patience and Positive thinking is the key..2 weeks of my path, am down 27 Lbs...I have a long way to go..I had lost weight in the past, so I know I can do this.

YOU are not alone...You made a start on posting here and that counts of your new lifestyle change..Wishing you good luck and hoping on seeing around here with your progress in the making!

Stop beating yourself up. Consider this the wake-up call we all need for one thing or another. Get involved with a few of the threads for a great support group.

Good luck.

Hi Devergirl,
I think you might be forgetting something important, "you landed your DREAM job". I think your qualifications played more of a role in you landing that job then your body type.
I understand how easy it is to forget you are qualified and deserve this job when you are battling your weight and all around are thin people.
You have made the first step in admitting you need to get a handle on your weight,. Good for you being brave enough to go after your dream job. I am in awe that you posted your weight I don't know if I can ever post my weight.
Find a plan that works for you and do your best to stick with it.
I wish you luck in your new job and in your weight loss journey.
Looks like you will get a lot of support on this site.

Hi! Congratulations on getting your dream job! Wow, that must feel great! Having "sporty" people around you may actually be a plus because the office environment is likely to be a healthy one, and as you lose weight, you're sure to get support from your coworkers. As athletes, they'll want you to succeed in changing your habits and lifestyle.

Smart thinking on ordering your own shirts, and thank goodness it was something basic that you could get in larger sizes. I recommend finding a skirt to tuck that shirt into. When I was over 300, I wouldn't tuck in a shirt for anything when wearing pants. I just knew what I looked like -- you know -- "Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down." I found skirts more flattering. Heck, I'm still not thrilled about tucking in shirts! Some habits die hard!

You're in for a big adventure! Best of luck to you! And hang around here with us. We want to see you succeed!

Congratulations on landing your dream job, that is amazing!

I can understand how it would be intimidating to be around all those sporty folks, but the good news is you can be sporty too! You really can! Hang in there, you are starting such an exciting journey! You'll find tons of useful info here and lots of good people to support you along the way!

WELCOME!

Congrats on your dream job! Landing the job of your dreams can be ever so motivating, you can do this! This forum is really supportive and useful for all sorts of tips and tricks to lose weight (there are so many ways to do it and so many different people so there is a way for everyone)

Hang in there! x

You guys are great. Several of you pointed out that, despite the size of my butt, I did land my dream job. It's all I ever wanted plus even more. Landing this job had everything to do with my education, experience and BRAINS!
AwShucks - I wish I could wear a skirt instead, but dress code at events is charcoal colored dress PANTS. I might just leave my shirt untucked and see if anyone mentions it. LOL Thank goodness we only have to wear that uniform at events.
I look much better in "regular" clothes. In fact, I am happy with myself other than my weight. I feel that I am pretty, I wear nice clothes, am always color coordinated and my hair and makeup are always done nicely.
You are all correct as well that this was the wakeup call I probably needed to make the lifestyle changes I need to make.
I make a couple of strides to start my weight loss journey yesterday. I made an appointment for Saturday morning to join Curves. (I plan on starting with 3 days a week). I bought a mini fridge for my new office. Now I have no excuse to eat out at lunch! I stocked it with healthy stuff and ONLY healthy stuff. We do not have a vending machine in our office, which means it will be a trip in the car to get a Twix. That's a pretty good deterrent. We are moving offices, though, in July and there's a cafeteria. That gives me several months to get my eating habits improved before I'm faced with a cheeseburger next door.
Thank you all for the warm and friendly welcome. I look forward to my journey and sharing it all with you!
One question... how do I get a cute weight tracker like lots of you have at the bottom? I am sure I will want to show my progress.