New JOB but 8 weeks out of state....

[Smallerizing]

Those of you who know me as the President Emeritus of the "Job-of-the-Month" Club will tentatively applaud my landing a "real" job with a good, stable company in a position that my handicaps will allow me (physically and mentally) to do a good job at!

After being disabled physically for four years and three of them on drugs that made me unable to use what's left of my little brain, I have now been offered a position in Inside Sales with the phone company. This will be my fifth job in a little more than a year after discontinuing the migraine meds. Actually, I still retain the first one, but that's commission-only and it is meant to build into a residual income - but I needed a more stable income in addition to that since I have LOTS of bills.

The nice thing is that I now know through taking these temporary jobs that I CAN do a great job and my head injuries have NOT left me totally incompetent. The last job I had, the company was small and went under financially, but the responsibilities were HUGE and I was able to do well anyway. This new position is a lot more stable, has okay income potential even if I stay in Inside Sales. Outside sales pays better, but I still have a bum knee from the car accident so I'm not sure I can ever do it.

NOW, for the big challenge. They are sending me out of state for 8 weeks of training. I will be staying at a hotel, I believe the kind with a kitchenette. I sure hope they have some kind of fitness room, or I may have to bring my Gazelle, which will be hard cuz it's heavy and my back is really bad. I'm planning on bringing flax muffins, cream cheese muffins, and lots of peanuts and macadamias. I'm just getting over a real bad tooth abcess so I can't do Slim Jims or jerky. Baby carrots are out for that reason, too. Lettuce sometimes gives me gut problems, so I'm not sure what kind of veggies will be good. I may have to eat out a lot more than I want just to get the veggies.

Anyone have any suggestions? Recipes? Restaurant ideas? I'll be driving the 3 hours home every weekend (oh, my poor back) so I can cook and freeze (theoretically).

I almost didn't pursue this job because of the training, but then figured they wouldn't invest that kind of training in me if they didn't do their homework on me and it was a good job fit. Now I gotta prepare. I leave on the 12th of June.

[Carbaholic]

Re: New JOB but 8 weeks out of state....

That sounds exciting! I have to do a lot of temp jobs over the summer as I work in ski resorts all winter, so I know it can be disheartening constantly searching for jobs - it's such a good feeling when a company actually credits you with a challenging role.

I'm sure you'll be fine when you're out of state - you can get a cooler together and make some lo-carb chilli, fish, take some chicken breasts/legs/wings, tuna cans are always a good standby, sardines, no-sugar jello's - and I'm sure they'll have some shops nearby!

I have the problem with some of the jobs that I do that the meals are paid for bu the company and often everyone gets the same thing - I had a real failure in Italy - every night they brought out HUGE servings of pasta - AS A STARTER, followed by fries/potatoes, meat and veg and a sugary dessert. I felt too embarrassed and awkward to ask for salad and now I'm paying for it big style.
I wish I'd just hung in there longer!

Good luck with your new job - I'm sure they'll be very impressed with you!

[msnicksmom]

Re: New JOB but 8 weeks out of state....

I have some experience with this, Thinker's posts have been great, but I don't want to comment w/o knowing if you are in induction or OWL? And which rung? And carb level?

[Smallerizing]

Re: New JOB but 8 weeks out of state....

I have some experience with this, Thinker's posts have been great, but I don't want to comment w/o knowing if you are in induction or OWL? And which rung? And carb level?

Well, I was doing my own version of OWL. Which is ALL the rungs minus the stuff I stall on. Also I was staying under 30 carbs a day except once a week. Since I know it will be challenging to do this while out, and possibly having at least some of the meals provided, I'm going to just shoot for maintenance level, meaning ok to eat legumes and whole grains with meals, occasional breading on meats, that sort of thing. I don't want to fall victim to carb creep, however. And I still want to stay away from sugar alcohols and aspartame if at all possible, except maybe in small quantities (I like the SF mints).

If I can't keep to my "realistic" goal of 2 lbs per month, I will just have to do an extended Induction when I get back in August, or a fat fast, or just take 2 extra months to lose all the weight. One thing I DON'T want to do is GAIN.

Carbaholic, you had a better excuse than me!! Pasta in ITALY!! I'm just going to Birmingham..... I can resist cornbread.....