“I’m sorry, Matt, but we gave the promotion to Carlos,” said Matt’s boss. “You’re a great employee and we don’t want to lose you, but we have to do what’s best for the company. I’m glad to give you a 3 percent raise. Thanks for your loyal service.” Matt was a graphic designer for an advertising agency. He had been with the company for four years. The quality of his work couldn’t be beat. He was funny and likable. His attendance and timeliness were impeccable. He enjoyed brainstorming with the other designers if they needed help meeting their deadlines, even if he had to stay late. Matt had been awarded “Employee of the Year” after his third year with the agency. He was the “go-to guy" for many of the account executives when they needed fresh ideas. Carlos, on the other hand, had been with the firm for only two years. The quality of his work was OK, but it was clear he would never set the advertising world on fire. He always clocked out at five o’clock sharp. As might be expected in an advertising firm, image was everything. The company owners and most of the bosses were fitness buffs. Several were known to have had cosmetic surgery. Carlos regaled the bosses and office ladies with his tales of rock climbing and com-petitive cycling. To top it off, Carlos was a dead ringer for Antonio Banderas. The promotion involved the agency’s first satellite office on the other side of the city. They needed a chief designer who would have creative control and supervise three other designers. The position would have almost doubled Matt’s salary. Matt couldn’t help but wonder if his weight, 325 pounds, was the reason he was passed over. He didn’t fit the corporate image of sleek and fit. He recalled the time a year previously his office chair collapsed under him. Everyone heard the commotion and rushed over. Was it his weight, or a defective chair that would have dumped anyone? His co-workers were too kind to speculate out loud. But, even now, Matt felt a rush of anxiety just thinking about the incident.
Matt had always been fat, even in childhood. He didn’t know why. His parents were a little overweight, about like everyone else. He was too heavy in childhood to do well in sports, so he developed other interests and talents. He dated girls occasionally, but even less after he graduated from college. Women didn’t seem too interested in him romantically. Many just wanted to be friends. Matt was sedentary. Given the choice of walking up a flight of stairs or taking the elevator, he always took the lift. He wondered, periodically, if he could slim down by exercising. His friends invited him to participate in their team sports, but he turned them down, fearing that he would drag down the team’s performance with his weight and lack of physical fitness. He tried walking outside regularly, even though that was quite difficult after he passed 275 pounds. It also bored him to tears. Five months out of the year it was too hot and humid even for walking. Tennis was hard on his ankles. His weight exceeded the limit for a rowing shell. He enjoyed bocce, but couldn’t find other players. Golf was too expensive and time-consuming. Miniature golf didn’t burn many calories. He was in a bowling league, but realized it wasn’t much of a workout. Bicycling gave him a rash “down there.” Recently, Matt had been sleeping poorly at night and was sleepy during the day. He didn’t feel well-rested when he woke up in the morning. His housemate noted that Matt snored loudly and tossed and turned all night long, although he seemed to be asleep. He even seemed to stop breathing for brief spells while asleep. Matt figured his sagging mattress was the problem, so he replaced it even though he was only four years into the 10-year warranty. It didn’t help. 28-year-old Matt came to see me for help with daytime sleepiness. [Continued....]
All matters regarding your health require supervision by a personal physician or other appropriate health professional familiar with your current health status. Always consult your personal physician before making any dietary or exercise changes.