Well, I guess I need your support with what's going on in my life right now as I've been pretty much bawling for 2 days straight. If only I could get control of the emotional and make a rational decision, that would be great. In the meantime, FYI, when you cry all day, you have NO desire to eat and I've lost about 8 lbs in 10 days.

So here's the deal. For those of you who don't really know me, I'm a lawyer in NYC. I used to work at a huge law firm without an out-of-control lifestyle and I gained 100 lbs in the 2.5 years I was there. I loved the challenge and the work but could not let my health spiral further out of control so I went to work at a "boutique" firm to the tune of a 40% pay cut. I still make plenty of money to meet my needs (though I can't afford some of the luxuries I'd like, such as being able to buy an apartment in Manhattan). I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my current job. I love the actual work, but most importantly, I love the people and the atmosphere. They are the closest thing to family I'm going to find without actually moving home (Alabama) or getting married (which I obviously can't control as I haven't met the right guy). I suffer from depression and it's the most controlled it's ever been in my adult life at least in part because that omnipresent sense of loneliness that I've always felt is pretty well plugged up by my support network at the boutique firm. I love my job.

For better or for worse, and I'll spare you the details, the best possible work opportunity (if I were looking to change jobs) fell in my lap this week. Really, it's fabulous. My salary would INCREASE by (yeah, not increase to, increase by) six figures. The work would be interesting and fabulous. Plus, the firm is very international, which means several international trips a year (Munich in October if I accept). The job couldn't be better -- If I were looking.

So the problem is (1) how emotionally attached I am to my current job and (2) how much of my support system (including my weight loss support system) is wrapped up in my current job. On the one hand, I fear that if I take the job, I am destabilizing my life at the time I need it to be most stable - i.e. the weight loss phase. I know I can get another job any time I want to (if, for example, the issue is money), it just won't be as perfect as the one that's currently being offered (they're only looking to fill one space -- immediately -- and it's unlikely there will be turnover in, say, a year). On the other hand, I think I may be using my weight loss as an excuse to stay somewhere that is comfortable when it would be best for my career to move on, as sad as it would make me.

Thoughts? Thank you in advance.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!I pray it's BETTER than you can dream or imagine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -87lbs

Julie,

Congratulations! I can hardly wait for the updates on your fabulous new job! Keep us posted.

Hey Julie!

Congratulations on the new job! It sounds like a fabulous opportunity. I wish you lots of luck and from what I know about you...a new job will not affect your weight loss plans. You're unstoppable!

Thanks again, everyone.

I talked to the new job and they don't need me to start immediately. So, I'm going to stay where I am through at least Christmas and transition over in the late winter/early Spring. It's the best of both worlds for me because I can stay focused on my weight loss (exclusively) for a few more months, which is what I really want. And, since they extended the offer to me in writing, valid for 6 months, there's nothing to worry about. I'm happy!

Wow! An offer that's good for six months! That's absolutely fantastic!