We don't have a real break room at work. We have a room in which there is a microwave, a toaster oven, and a refrigerator. However, it is also someone's office. Also, there are often people meeting at the table in there. Not a good place to eat, read, or relax, which is what I like to do at lunch.
We have a mandatory lunch break, in that my day is 8 hours plus an hour for lunch. If you're good at math, you'd know that is a 9 hour day. Plus a 45 minute commute - each way. If I could just come in for 8 hours and eat at my desk, I'd be thrilled. But no, the shifts are 9 hours. Period. I asked if I could do an 8-hour day and skip the lunch break, and I was told no.
If I eat at my desk, people try to talk to me. I don't want to talk to people during my break. I don't want to get asked work questions. I don't want to chat about work related things. I don't want to be asked to jump in the phone queue because it's busy and there are customers waiting.
In the winter, it's great because I can open the windows in my car and eat in there, then go for a walk. In the summer in south Florida? Forget it. Ick. Then I have to sit in my own funk all afternoon. For the same reason, I can't go eat in a park.
I live 45 minutes from the office. It is flat-out impossible for me to go home on my break. I wish that was a possibility. I would relax or watch TV or work out.
Sometimes I run errands or shop on my lunch break. But then I spend too much money just "browsing".
I usually choose healthy things for lunch. (Sometimes I don't. Today I had bean enchiladas at Tijuana Flats...had a coupon and went out with my friend John.) My usual places are Panera (soup and salad for around 350 calories - I skip the bread...most days), Subway (I can't eat the bread there anymore so I get a salad with tuna or turkey on it), Muscle Maker Grill (grilled chicken nuggets and a side salad), Moe's (burrito bowl...no tortilla, rice, or chips). Healthy choices or not, eating out nearly every day is a bad habit to be in. I need to somehow get back to my old habit of leftovers, Lean Cuisines, and stuff like that.
That's easy in the winter. Not so easy in the summer. I'm trapped in the air conditioning.
The only thing I have come up with is to join a gym near my office. My gym contract is up for renewal in September and I am thinking about joining the large chain gym that has locations near work AND home so I could go to either.
If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.
7 comments:
hmm, hard situation isn't it. I see a lot of ppl at shopping center eateries that sit at the tables on lunch breaks (assume as they are doing work) or a cafe table. could you go to a library or does that gym have an area reserved for eating your lunch that you could bring from home?
They really should use your breakroom for breaks, not meetings or an office. Do you have a union or a human resources rep? Otherwise, It sounds like you're choosing well while eating out. The gym idea sounds great. And maybe a cold lunch like chicken salad or tuna salad where you don't have to warm it up.
uggg! No break room! That is rediculous! Um although your lunches don't sound so off balance the temptation to eat something bad is there if you eat out a lot...I find!
I like the idea of the gym. Maybe if they have a juice bar they will have a protein shake...get a big one of those and a snack and then do some working out!
I have the same set up at my work. I hate it! I used to go home in the summer because its so freaking cold in the winter. Now becuase of the staffing we have I don't get to have a full lunch. It's freaking ridiculous !
Before I got to your last comment, I was thinking GYM. I'm so fortunate to have one in my office building, but joining one nearby is also a good idea. Even if you just went and walked on the treadmill not breaking a sweat, it would get in more steps which will increase your body's activity level and burn more calories.
I ALWAYS ate out and now (18 months out) I am finally eating in. It has made a big difference in how I feel in the afternoons too!
The gym sounds like a really good option. Good for you for making adjustments like this! I like the way you're thinking, lady! :)
That is so hard. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions. Fortunately I get to work from home so I don't have to worry about it. I know this would be a big struggle for me!
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