The small talk is unbearable !!!!!!!
Love to hear more…
Week 2. 0.25mg. This will now be tomorrow’s lunch ! I’m a bit shocked that I simply do not want to devour this healthy meal. I did 45 mins on the treadmill uphill arms and leg weights and I just feel sick attempting to eat this. I’m knocking back protein shakes with vitamins to at least get 1,200 kcals but it’s hard!
I’m on week 2 in managing to get 100g a protein a day with the help of protein shakes and Greek yogurt but I am finding it so hard to even do 3 sets and am worried about muscle loss sagginess etc, has anyone figured out how to combat? I’m also taking electrolytes …
• my stomach is incredibly bloated, it’s been hard to make it past 1300 calories and I felt incredibly exhausted which turns out was dehydration, I also felt weirdly emotional and wonder if this was me breaking the habit of emotional or stress eating?
• the food noise is OFF. I’m not even thinking about a nice cappuccino let alone raiding the work biscuit tin ! I’m only a week in and I’m astounded by how effective it has already been
• my face has slimmed down alot mostly as has my décolletage
• I had nausea from eating any olive oil or high fat food even avocado I couldn’t handle
• I resorted to protein shakes and added electrolytes to my daily schedule and this has been a game changer as has the incorporating smaller more regular meals such as boiled eggs, carrots and hummus, chicken breast and cucumber with ranch dip, apples and blueberries to snack on or making egg frittatas or salmon pasta salad, protein pancakes etc
• I made sure I had at least 100g of protein a day
• I was too lethargic to smash the gym and lift weights so instead I listened to my body and aimed for 10-12000 steps of gentle walking a day followed by a nice hot shower and a peppermint tea to help the extreme bloating !
• I’ve lost 4lbs! Some of which will me water or glycogen but it’s just encouraging to see the scale go down
• I also wore looser clothes to help with the bloating and avoided any diet soda or sparkling water and incorporated ginger or green tea - can make it iced too!
• I decided not to tell anyone I was starting it out of fear of judgement - only my partner knows
• I highly recommend electrolytes, b vitamins every day as well as vitamin d and magnesium or fibre powder to avoid constipation
My role also includes governance, writing internal comms, onboarding, writing our annual and six month reports! I like the comms and project coordination but I’m so over being someone’s dogs body, I feel I’m making someone else’s dream happen and it’s tiring having no Autonomy or authority !
Any tips greatly appreciated x !
I’m rather worried my tummy will end up looking a bit like a melted candle and that it will affect my confidence at the beach and sex life etc.
I’m so curios xxx
Day 3 of Wegovy and my stomach looks like a beach ball - I’m kind of surprised how bloated I look as well as feeling I’ve got a sore stomach and extremely tired. To be honest I’m loving the reduction in appetite but I look pregnant! Is this normal ? For the record I’m eating lean chicken breast yogurt salad wraps so nothing too rogue !
Omg I finally feel human around food, I have realised how much of my overeating has been from low mood, stress and emotions and impulsively eating sugar….
It’s as if the tap is switched off. I’ve found it so interesting to sit with the passing thought of a craving for sweets or bread but instead of raiding the pantry, I’m now able to pause and reflect and then it just passes again. I have struggled my whole life with being the fat kid, the “ oh you have such a pretty face”, “ bigger girl” now I finally feel how I maybe should around food…. In control ! It actually helps my anxiety as I don’t feel like I used to for example at a cheese board or buffet where I would be voracious lol. Finally…..
Curious to understand this
When I tell people I’m EA to a CEO in non profit ( prior to that big media) I’ve had people almost pity me or look down on me …. When I took this role I was told it’s a senior role however often my follow ups to the SLT are ignored, I only just get cc’Ed in not spoken to directly or given context. I join SLT meetings but the snarky militant finance director when talking about staff will go as far to say “ b cover your ears!” And seemingly single me out. Wtf.
It’s bizarre. I don’t know if it’s a London thing here but some people understand the extreme planning and strategy behind what we do but others seem to see me as a glorified secretary and tbh some days I really feel I’ve failed at 32. I took a huge pay cut to have a break from corporate as I was extremely unwell form burn out with v high cortisol but now being in an environment where academia and hierarchy is everything it’s rather demoralising that I’m seen as entry level lol and the admins are all grouped together as just admin support when in fact …. What we all do is incredibly different.
How do I position or carry myself until I can escape EA and move into comms or project management for good?
Thanks guys x
I’m currently an EA to CEO in non profit, prior to this I worked as EA to CEO’s in a huge broadcaster and media, however .. after 8 years and at 33, I find myself traumatised and triggered by the chaotic, low autonomy, reactive and lack of agency or ownership in these roles. I hate that it is invisible labour.
Half my current title is also comms lead, I write for the board for my CEO, I write our annual and six month management reports and newsletter and project coordinate a training programme too….
I’m based in London but lived in Sydney prior to this for 7 years. London feels considerably rigid classist and status driven and I’m concerned I’m now stuck in a career I loathe. I hate telling dates and people I’m am EA , it’s as if the conversation ends there when people assume you’re just a dogs body or a helper when in actual fact i feel I run the show behind the scenes. Does anyone have any advice on what careers I could pivot into??! Thanks so much
I’m currently an EA to CEO in non profit, prior to this I worked as EA to CEO’s in a huge broadcaster and media, however .. after 8 years and at 33, I find myself traumatised and triggered by the chaotic, low autonomy, reactive and lack of agency or ownership in these roles. I hate that it is invisible labour.
Half my current title is also comms lead, I write for the board for my CEO, I write our annual and six month management reports and newsletter and project coordinate a training programme too….
I’m based in London but lived in Sydney prior to this for 7 years. London feels considerably rigid classist and status driven and I’m concerned I’m now stuck in a career I loathe. I hate telling dates and people I’m am EA , it’s as if the conversation ends there when people assume you’re just a dogs body or a helper when in actual fact i feel I run the show behind the scenes. Does anyone have any advice on what careers I could pivot into??! Thanks so much
So I’m not sure which forum to put this in but as this is such a nice community here goes.
I’ve had an awakening that I simply MUST escape being an EA as soon as possible as every role I’ve had makes me incredibly on edge. Here is what I’ve come to under:
• the power imbalance
• how easy it is to be ignored, neglected but then also held to a high standard but then also blamed at a minutes notice
• having no agency or autonomy
• having to rush stress and quickly jump into things with little context and being caught in a double bind of overstepping or not taking initiative
• the emotional labour of caretaking a grown adult and having to step in or cover for them - feels like covering an abusive parents wrong doings all over again
• being devalued or dismissed as admin but then also being expected to know everything and just do any other dogs job task
• essentially treading on eggshells around someone else
Does anyone know how to pivot out ?
I’ll quite literally do anything else at this point but London is incredibly rigid on titles and I’m at breaking point.
My role includes exec and intends comms project coordination and governance as well as newsletters on top of board cycles.
If anyone can share any advice I’d appreciate it so much cos man these roles are isolating when you’re not in a team too ! !
Our company is non profit and is going down…
Would I stand a chance at Project management programme management exec operations …? Can I realistically apply for these? Girl I’m stressed!!!!
I have 8 years experience I’ve worked in multiple industries as an EA and recently board level, across governance, internal comms, reports for the board, project coordination across programmes… I cannot bear being an EA and this news has given be a kick the ass I needed to start applying …. I’m London based .. anyone have any advice ?
I’ve always felt ashamed that having worked as an EA for 8 years in different industries I have no idea what career I want next and feel like I keep trying different courses, first it was psychotherapy then project management then comms but I will split on it easily get bored and completely change direction. I don’t know what I want to do with my life at 32 and feel like a lot of my twenties was spent just trying to stay in a decent job and not kill myself but that’s not so easy to explain …. So I feel like a worthless failure and so dating is hard as if feels like a competition or an audition to which I don’t feel I measure up . Can anyone relate? Big hugs y’all x
I’m considering moving into project management, program management or even comms as half my title is comms lead as I write our annual report and management report for the CEO.
I hate telling people I’m an EA to CEO - people look down on me and assume I’m just a diary manager and yet I feel like I hold the company together ! I need to escape after 8 years working as an EA.
I’ve worked as an EA/ for the past eight years across media, health and insurance, and I’m now looking to take the next step in my career.
my role has naturally expanded well beyond traditional EA support including board and committee coordination, internal communications, and project managing one of our training programmes. However, as I work in a not-for-profit organisation, the scope of my responsibilities isn’t fully reflected in my current title or salary, and I’m now looking to move into a role that better aligns with my experience and progression goals.
I’ve realised I work best in roles with more autonomy and ownership, particularly where I can lead on projects rather than primarily supporting a single executive.
I’d really appreciate any recommendations or connections to reputable recruiters or individuals who specialise in helping EAs/operations professionals transition into more senior or broader roles. I’m open to roles in operations, governance, programme management, or executive/business support functions.
Thanks x x