I was in the work force for 48 of my 72 years--actually 50 if you count the 2 years in the Marines. Of those 12 (1967-1979) were in the weight reduction field while the others were as a professional restaurant server. I really loved both fields but I truly miss working as a waiter--well, not enough to want to 'unretire' though every time I eat at Big Louie's the manager asks me if I want to come back for a couple of days a week!!

Being a waiter was a lot of fun--for the most part--and interesting. The money was good and quick, the hours short and from the moment you left the job until you returned there wasn't any stress or responsibilities. I was asked many times to get in management but that was the same as slave labor until you reached the upper tier.

I worked in all sorts of places from coffee shops, delis (the hardest) to 5 star restaurants such as the gas pavilion at the World's Fair and the Four Seasons in NYC.

Except for when I worked at Wag's, owned by Walgreen's, there was no such thing as any kind of benefits and not being a person who saves(d) for the future my social security is pretty sad but I don't regret the actual work one bit.

This was taken when I was working at the Holiday Inn in Fort Lauderdale where I was 'Employee of the Year'--all I got was a plaque!!





Of the 12 years I spent in the weight reduction field the first two were for Weight Watchers International in NYC and then I moved to Memphis with me, at that time, lover and we opened Weight Watchers of Greater Memphis, Eastern Arkansas and Chattanooga and I was there for 5 years.

After a really acrimonious 'divorce'--court battles, arguments, etc.,--I did a stupid thing by just walking away BUT I did open my own business, Our Weigh, in Memphis which lasted for 5 years before I sold it.

I learned a lot those 12 years about myself and fat people in general.