Overweight postal worker.

[Lounge Lizard]

Steer clear of Greggs and you should be fine.

[Darren Bent]

You will find you will lose weight and get fitter but after a couple of months the body will get heavier due to muscles.

[humtydumpty]

Steer clear of Greggs and you should be fine.

no place can beat a chicken bake from greggs

[Johnny Remo]

I was almost 15st when I started 6 months ago - now 13.5st and going down!

If you are still a teenager you should be more than able to handle the sweat and toil - it'll stand you in good stead for a healthy life!

The CAT trainers you will get are pretty good, (tho' I've worn my first pair out already.) Stick with trainers for your feet - the boots you get are okay for indoor work, but you need trainers for the miles you'll be pounding the pavements. (Marathon runners don't wear heavy boots!)

Invest in decent running socks to wear with your trainers, and apply good medical talcum powder to your feet before putting on your socks. The talc is also good for any chafing points (crotch, underarms, wherever!)- or use Vaseline if problems are severe.

Eat a good breakfast (porridge, wholemeal toast, or cereal with honey and bananas - and don't forget a good mug of tea or juice) Keep yourself well hydrated - lucozade/sport drinks and the likes - and have a supply of bananas, gel bars and similar with you.

After work just let your body tell you what it wants to eat (within reason!) but make sure you drink plenty of fluids (2 litres minimum)

After showering dry and wipe your feet thoroughly with some cotton balls soaked in surgical spirits. It will help to harden the skin and prevent any infections (athlete's foot and the like)

If you follow the tips on here and are prepared to suffer a bit for the first couple of months you'll find yourself a lot fitter and healthier and well able to do the job. Good luck!

[meercat]

Do you recommend any specific shoes/trainers I should look into buying before I start? You know, just to get me through the first few weeks without too much discomfort?

You won't get issue footwear till you've been there a month or so. Comfortable trainers are ideal.

You won't be walking around for 6hrs a day - some of your shift will be getting mail ready. You shouldn't be outside on delivery for more than about 4 1/2 hrs.

When you get your 5 or so mail bags ready make sure you don't make them overweight. Make each bag a MAXIMUM of 12 kilos while you get used to delivery. Weigh them and tell your line manager that's all the weight you feel would be safe to carry while you get fit for the job. If he disagrees stand your ground. Health and safety is YOUR responsibility and managers will happily turn a blind eye to someone taking 25kilos of mail out on their shoulder which is going to damage you in the long run.

If you end up having 8 or 9 bags because you are only putting 12 kilos of mail into a bag then so be it. If you ou can't either deliver them all within your alloted time then claim overtime for finishing past your time or your other option is to work till your finish time and they will get someone else to do your last 2 or 3 bags. You need to arrange that with your line manager before you set off. They may try to persuade you that you can do it but again stand your ground if you don't want to be out on delivery for hours and hours.

Wear 2 pairs of socks and put extra water out with your bags so you don't need to carry it.

[Ahebban]

It is said that a number of overwieght posties take over managerial roles so that they don't have too leave the office

[Brandy]

It is said that a number of overwieght posties take over managerial roles so that they don't have too leave the office

Most managers are overweight

[Lounge Lizard]

I was almost 15st when I started 6 months ago - now 13.5st and going down!

If you are still a teenager you should be more than able to handle the sweat and toil - it'll stand you in good stead for a healthy life!

The CAT trainers you will get are pretty good, (tho' I've worn my first pair out already.) Stick with trainers for your feet - the boots you get are okay for indoor work, but you need trainers for the miles you'll be pounding the pavements. (Marathon runners don't wear heavy boots!)

Invest in decent running socks to wear with your trainers, and apply good medical talcum powder to your feet before putting on your socks. The talc is also good for any chafing points (crotch, underarms, wherever!)- or use Vaseline if problems are severe.

Eat a good breakfast (porridge, wholemeal toast, or cereal with honey and bananas - and don't forget a good mug of tea or juice) Keep yourself well hydrated - lucozade/sport drinks and the likes - and have a supply of bananas, gel bars and similar with you.

After work just let your body tell you what it wants to eat (within reason!) but make sure you drink plenty of fluids (2 litres minimum)

After showering dry and wipe your feet thoroughly with some cotton balls soaked in surgical spirits. It will help to harden the skin and prevent any infections (athlete's foot and the like)

If you follow the tips on here and are prepared to suffer a bit for the first couple of months you'll find yourself a lot fitter and healthier and well able to do the job. Good luck!

"Keep yourself well hydrated" - that's important.
Once you've settled into a round you'll probably often get invited in for a coffee
and a couple of pints in the pub on the way home is an excellent idea.
not much more though, or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diCeubq_WXg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[humtydumpty]

I was almost 15st when I started 6 months ago - now 13.5st and going down!

Wow ,grats , that's great! You got paid for it too.

Haha clip

Thank you all for the sound advise, will deffo be using them soon! Gotta head to bed, have a goodknight. :)

[POSTMAN]

Overweight posties will soon be a thing of the past,you guys better get fit,it's been in the news and everything...

BBC.gif

[stokes11eg]

Overweight posties will soon be a thing of the past,you guys better get fit,it's been in the news and everything...

BBC.gif

[krussel]

Overweight posties will soon be a thing of the past,you guys better get fit,it's been in the news and everything...

BBC.gif

[krussel]

I've prepared for the blisters part but pain killers is a new one to add to the list, thank you. :)


Thank you for the welcome kruss,pretty sound forum.
I'm nearly 19. If you don't mind me asking why cotton socks and not your average socks?

Ive got an 18 yr old stepson and he does not walk anywhere, not even to the shops at the end of the road, he drives everywhere. This job could be a life changing experience for you as you get fitter. It really can be viewed like a trip to the gym every day but they pay you. If you stick it and watch your diet than any excess weight will come off within the first 6 months. Weight watchers have nothing on the RM diet.

Socks are one of those things which everyone has an personal preference Its often down to your own experiences. With trainers I would recommend a medium to light cotton rich sock, prob 80% / 20% mix. If your feet blister you can wear 2 pairs to help cushion them. I would avoid woollen socks as I find they make your feet sweat and its moister you most want to avoid as it softens the skin leading to blisters.

Trainers are the way forward until you get some provided. A well ventilated pair are good to start although they wont stop your feet from getting wet if it rains. If your feet do become wet then stop and change socks ASAP.

Wear lightweight clothing until your uniform arrives. Do not wear jeans as they will not dry out it you get wet. Cotton combats are ideal. T shirts, sweatshirt and a lightweight waterproof coat is a good bet. You will be putting a RM high vis vest on over the top of that.

Hopefully you will get to spend some time inside before you are out on the streets. They will send you out with a trainer / buddy at first to show you the round.

Any queries or questions just post on here and we can help.

[doorstepped]

I am 5"8 and 16st but muscly built

I have no problem now I am fit, but was a struggle at first but your body will soon lose fat and put on muscle but will take you about 2 - 3 months to feel fully fit etc.

I lost 2 stone in my first 2 months but soon put that back on in muscle and my body conditioning itself to stay at a steady weight.

as for riding a bike, I had not been on one for 26 years when I started with RM, it hurts like a bitch for a few days but once you are used to it it is easy.

[karchun]

It is said that a number of overwieght posties take over managerial roles so that they don't have too leave the office

Most managers are overweight

DAMN... I'm below expectations ... Manager route for me then!