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hiding my odd body issue from my co-workers
I have an issue which I have never revealed to my friends at work, mostly because I have gotten rather self conscious about it. Basically I have an abnormally fast metabolism which causes me to eat an abnormal amount. I was born with this. People talked about it all the time I was growing up. In high school and college I was a serious athlete which definitely added to my appetite. It could be embarrassing and even my understanding friends who didn't mind me cleaning out their fridge would constantly remark on my appetite, tell me I was SO lucky, and generally make me feel like a freak when I felt like a snack at odd times. I have seen several doctors about this and had many tests with no results. I am not fat. I am 5'10" and about 150 pounds. I am 25 years old and I do a lot less athletics now but I still eat 6000-7000 calories a day.
In college I got tired of all the comments and questions so when I got a job I decided to keep my diet to myself. I work in marketing running booths at trade shows which does give me time escape and have a snack. I carry a couple of sandwiches in my purse to satisfy afternoon hunger pangs and I usually go out for a late night second dinner after everyone else is asleep. No one really has any idea about it.
Now there is going to be a 3 day retreat for training at a camp near Santa Cruz. They asked us if we have any special dietary needs, by which they mean allergies or religious needs. They don't want us to take food because it is not allowed in the cabins, but if we have to, they will store it in the kitchen for us.
This whole thing really has me worried. I really don't want to tell them I need to eat 2 or 3 times what anyone else does. That will bring questions, comments, expressions of amazement, and all the attention I don't like. I don't know what the food situation will be but my body is used to a snack around 3:30 to 4:00 in the afternoon. If I don't get it, I get extremely hungry. I also need my late night meal or I will wake up hungry in the middle of the night.
I really don't know what I should do - well I should probably just tell people about it, but I don't want to. I have half a mind to skip the thing be claiming sickness or something.
I'm sorry this is so long but if anyone has a suggestion I would be glad to hear it.
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You need the training as it is a requirement of your job. You should go and not let it hold you back. I can definitely see why you feel this is your business and not something to share.
Other people have let you down when you disclosed so being open to telling co-workers isn't going to happen easily.
I think what you should do is find the one person in charge or you can confide in and ask them to keep things confidential and tell them you have eat differently because of your metabolism and ask them to accomodate you. Let them know how embarassed and freaked out you are if others knew.
At this stage in your life things are different. This is a professional work environment where immaturity isn't tolerated. They need employees to be happy and productive. I doubt anyone would treat you like friends have for they all are adults and may have their own things to hide.
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If you read up on East Indian Medicine, something that is becoming popular and well understood now in the U.S., they teach a lot about different body types, 3 basic types if I remember correctly but I will post a link for you to look at and perhaps you can find more info on your own.
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
I read an article in a magazine that focused on how the different body types have different needs as far as exercise, food type and intake, and what illnesses it is more prone to and what to avoid because of it. Its very in depth.
I am more like you, I've had a high metabolism all my life. A person with a high metabolism if they cut down on the amount of exercise they get daily, can find the need for amount of calories go down some. Here's my example. I began going with a girlfriend to twice a week aerobic dance classes, mostly for the fun and something to do with her, not that I needed to lose weight. My natural weight back in HS and my 20s on til 50 was 110 lbs. When I began the exercise class, I could not take in enough calories to keep on the weight and got down to 90 lbs and was still losing weight and it scared me, so I stopped the dance class and moderated my exercise to simply walking, doing housework, gardening, regular daily stuff that isn't enough for others but was enough for me. I wouldn't recommend you make a big change without talking to a Dr. with good knowledge of the ayurvedic body types. Mostly found in Natural medicines, homeopaths, and naturopathic meds. but some progressive clinics will have medical doctors who do understand this and can give good advice to you.
So, all this to tell you that you are not a freak, theres nothing wrong with you and trust me, your high metabolism will slow down when you get much older. I started to finally put on more weight into my 50s and now am holding steady at about 20 lbs or so more than when I was in HS and family all say they like how I look better at this weight.
So, since you feel uncomfortable and food will be regulated, find out who you need to talk to like HR is a good idea from the other advice giver. I would also ask if you can bring extra food for yourself to have stored in the kitchen. Usually, most people with high metabolism seem to manage fine doing as you've been doing but in special situations like this, I would have to say, it does qualify as a dietary concern. However since it isnt the usual like a low fat or salt free diet, or low cal diet, I would say, its better not to write it down on the form but actually speak to several people about it, HR and the kitchen staff of the place you will be going, talk on phone before even the event comes up so you can be reassured how they will work with you to help you get the caloric intake you will require during the retreat. Good luck dear and don't worry, its normal...just something lots of people don't talk about. You'd be surprised how many others there are like you. YOung folks your age generally are surprised and act like you are strange simply because they don't know much yet about health and diet and body types and such.
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It sounds like you work for a fairly large company which should have an HR department or at the very least an HR Manager. The HR department or manager is where you need to bring your situation to the attention of the company you work for.
The Human Resources Department is charged with keeping personal information about employees confidential. Your concerns are something that need to be kept confidential not because your are strange or because you might consider them some sort of freakish but because you feel embarrassed about it. You really shouldn't feel this way about your high metabolism. Your problem is truly a medical condition that you must be dealt with just as I and others must deal with food allergies. Your employer is supplying the food for this outing which is not an option for your attendance. They must make allowances for your medical condition just as they would for a diabetics or a vegetarians.
Talk to the Human Resource Department or Manager about your problem and stop being embarrassed over something you have no control over . Yours is a medical condition. One that fortunately is one you can live with which is far from life threatening. This is not something you should be ashamed about or something that should ruin your love life either.
People like you because of who you are not what you are. The same is true of those who love you and will love you. You didn't mention your love life but I have a feeling if you are letting it affect you work life it affects your love life. Don't let for you are really a very normal person. Let people get to know you and if they ask tell them. They will understand and may even envy you.
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