this post was submitted on 18 Aug 2023
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I need a better body for my job (beehaw.org)
submitted 1 year ago by marin@beehaw.org to c/chat@beehaw.org
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I started working in a fast food kitchen 2 weeks ago and it’s physically stressful so far. I do a lot of meal prep which includes a lot of chopping, carrying, and cleaning. Being on my feet for ~7 hours a day is slowly taking a toll on me and I really want to take preventive measures for long term problems that come with it. My right thumb is numb as I type down this post at 1am because I somehow woke up before 4:30am.

For a little background, this is my first official job where I’m being paid actual money for my work. As per usual, I can’t quit because of finances and I like my coworkers and managers so far. I just want my body to cope with it better and I’m not sure how I should go with it. I was pretty sedentary before I started working. I wear comfortable non-slip shoes with orthotics to better support my arch. I also bought a muscle rolling stick to help massage my feet and leg muscles after work. I think the compression socks I recently got isn’t doing much so I’m going to invest in some Bombas socks soon. What else can I do to prevent breaking my body doing this job?

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[–] DJDarren@beehaw.org 22 points 1 year ago

As others have said, there's always an adjustment period, and before you know it you'll be doing it without even thinking about it.

When I started at my current workplace five years ago, I was out of shape after spending almost ten years either at uni, or in a succession of office jobs. So going back on my tools as a welder was a massive shock that I wasn't really expecting. But suddenly, six months or so in, I realised that I was finding the work much less physically demanding, which felt really gratifying. I wasn't fit by any means (I never have been), but fit enough to do the work.

Then, 18 months ago I got promoted to a desk job, and I'm fat as shit again. I'd be fucked after a day back on my tools.