The country is overweight. If you are unaware of that nugget you’ve done a wonderful job getting through the day with proverbial blinders stapled to your face. Look around you right now. I bet you could point out at least three coworkers that need to run around the building until next solstice just to get back to mildly obese.

Not only have you noticed, your boss has as well.

In the midst of the most vigorous national healthcare debate in 15 years, the link between our work life and our weight is intensifying. Two-thirds of the U.S. workforce is overweight. The economic crisis has exacerbated the obesity epidemic: Workers are putting in longer hours, afraid of losing their jobs. With less time to exercise, more than a third of employees report that work drains them of energy, leaving nothing for their personal lives.

I agree that longer hours, terrible food options both in the vending machine and at local fast food joints are all contributing factors but I don’t think employers are to blame. Remember, point the finger and their are still three chubby little digits pointing directly back at you (and one thumb that looks ready to devour and entire rump roast in a sitting).

Bad stuff in the vending machine? Pack healthy snacks.
Only soda is available? Buy thirty packs of cheap water at Target.
Can’t make it to the gym? Spend a half hour of your lunch walking around outside instead of sitting at your desk searching for eBay deals on elastic waist slacks.

It’s all about choices.

How do you fight the fat? Do you blame the boss for your wide load?

More employers looking at their roles in obesity (Miami Herald)

Don’t miss a Minimum Rage post! Click here to subscribe!

Leonard Rhomberg has been working for McDonald’s for 50 years. He started at the original location in Missouri back in 1959. That type of dedication deserves a huge thank you. No? Fine. How about a couple bucks towards the same food he has been peddling for five decades?

Patrick Hillmeyer and Tom Hillmeyer, the owners of the Crestwood restaurant, honored Rhomberg Wednesday morning. They thanked him for his service in front of the employees and customers and presented him with a cake. They also gave him a Cardinals jersey with his name on it, a card from employees, and several gift cards.

The Cardinals jersey was a nice touch. Of course, if he hadn’t been making $4 an hour since Eisenhower he eventually could have bought his own. But back to the gift cards, do McDonald’s employees pay to eat in the store? They don’t get a free meal?

How has a 68-year-old man lasted so long? Simple.

“I never eat this crap,” laughed Rhomberg as he put his gift cards and Cardinals jersey up on E-Bay.

Just kidding. He didn’t say that. He was too busy mopping the restroom to be reached for comment.

McDonald’s employee honored for 50 years of service (ksdk.com)