@Lucky Charm wrote:
Hi Terrier--You won't get blasted by me to mind your own business. You haven't ordered her to get up and do jumping jacks. You're intelligent enough to know that constantly sitting is bad for the body, it's common knowledge that getting up and moving, no matter what your age, is so important for your health.
No matter how flipping important some people think they are/were at their jobs, if they were sitting for long periods, they are in the same category as a couch potato. A paid couch potato.
Most likely this woman was never active and is now in a position she can't or doesn't want to start to become active. So she'll sit at her desk and moan, take pills for pain, blood pressure, etc.
If standing feels better for her as you said, imagine what walking--even just a little will do. It's good to be mobile, even if you have a desk job. Get up and walk around the office. Walk around your building during your breaks and after you've eaten lunch.
I would ask her in private, if she would be interested in walking with you during a break, or after lunch.
As far as picking her up if she falls, I don't think that's advisable as it could actually be a liability. You or your co-workers or even the woman herself could be hurt. I honestly think you need to call 911 if she should fall again.
Have to wonder why she fell. If she slipped, was something unsafe around her that could be a problem for her again and/or someone else? Or do you think it was perhaps the pain pills she's taking?
Being over 100 pounds overweight is a terrible place to be at, and she needs to start moving more or she won't be doing as well as she is, which doesn't seem like a good place to be, as time goes on. It will only get worse, that is a fact. No one gets better being overweight, immobile, in pain, high blood pressure. Who knows what other ailments is going on in her body that even she doesn't know about. Yet.
I commend you for caring.
I commend Terrier for caring too.
Yes, we all know that moving is better than not moving. This woman knows that. She also knows that she probably should have been more active sooner, and she knows that she's overweight. No one needs to point any of that out or potentially embarrass her.
It sounds as though Terrier already has asked the co-worker if she'd like to walk with her. Sometimes the co-worker does it, but most often she does not. IMO that's as far as it should go. This is not a close friend or family member. This is a co-worker. And no one should be invading her privacy unless she invites them to do so. She's entitled to go to work and do her job without co-workers speculating about her medical condition and prescriptions, and offering unsolicited advice. There's no doubt in my mind that Terrier is well-intentioned, but I think pushing in any way is a mistake and could lead to embarrassment and further difficulties for someone who may already be emotionally fragile as well as suffering physically.
You said that she may have other ailments that she doesn't know about, and you're right. But she also may have other ailments that she's aware of, but hasn't shared with Terrier and other co-workers, things she has chosen to keep private. Yes, she likely does need to start moving. But that's between her and the medical professionals who treat her, not people who happen to work where she does.
I do agree that 911 should be called if she falls again. For everyone's benefit.
eta: I just wanted to add that I don't think @terrier3 got "blasted". There are always going to be a few posters who are harsh, but most posters here simply offered their opinions, gave advice, and explained the reasons why.
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