How do you handle a physically demanding job? I'm pretty weak in general and I'm struggling at my new job?

[poneglyphs]

I got this new position so, I can move up but I'm struggling with doing the easy task on this job. Which is unfortunate because I feel like I can't do my job right and I feel like they will let me go if I don't learn quick.

[FunkyMonkee]

I just dive right in! It might be a tad exhausting, at first but, like with my last job, I was in a print shop and they had me feeding this machine I've never seen or heard of before, it assembles magazines. They were working on a book that had at least 4 sections but, being new to this, I could only deal with one or two pockets at a time. Once I got used to it a few weeks later, I could easily feed 3 pockets, then 4, all by myself. And the guy that was running the machine would keep speeding it up! Eventually, I got so good I could feed all 7 pockets by myself!!

On this job, they're only using 3 pockets and two of them are the covers feeding alternately and it's running fairly slow so, I could take a nap in between each feeding!! As the covers are very thin and running alternately, it'll take each of them about 4 or 5 minutes to need fed again but, the third pocket, with the guts of the book, is a lot thicker so, it needs fed at least 2 or 3 times a minute. Run the video up to 1:34 to see it in action. The guy I usually ran it with would normally have it running almost twice as fast as this.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/wvUl5O5ECgc

[LeeCrane45]

Just keep working at it! Ask your co-workers for advice, and don't be quick to give up!

One thing I have learned from my year of experience with the Army so far is that a lot of people struggle with tasks that are physically demanding or require some amount of coordination that you may not be used to. Things as simple as quickly tearing down and setting up large tents, for example! I initially found these tasks physically and mentally demanding, giving everything I had just to keep up the pace with the rest of the my group, but soon it becomes muscle memory. You and your body will learn overtime to do these tasks quicker, you will all kinds of small hacks that reduce the time it takes and the risk of injury or strain. Mentally these takss will also become easier.

This struggle is normal and a key part of learning.
If you enjoy the job, or want to stay with it for whatever reason, just keep doing your job and be willing to learn and ask for help when necessary, with that alone you will see improvement very quickly!

[SphynxUK]

I would try and persevere. If it’s clear you at struggling with no improvement, it’s time to look for something else. We’re not all cut out to do every job. It’s not all about learning to do it and getting fit.
I am probably the fittest female on my department since I work out and practice bodyweight exercises, and I’m 50 in a few months. And even I am finding some of the work and lifting very challenging when it’s above head height. It’s not my usual role. We are short staffed. I will be complaining if it continues because I’m going to get injured at this rate…

[Anonymous]

you need to ask your coworkers for advice on how they do things. because yeah, it's not looking too good for you if you continue like that. higher ups will notice.

[Phoenix98]

What exactly is hard about these easy tasks?

As for the physical part a labor job is just like going to the gym and working out, same things apply, eat right, get plenty of rest and stay hydrated and stick with it, persistence. The more you do it the less sore you'll be and the easier it will become.

That's my advice as a fellow manual laborer o and also if your having trouble with something ask your coworkers for help or advice, you have years of experience all around you, utilize it.

[NathanDavis]

you are weak now...

you will not remain weak forever

just stick to it, eat better and sleep more

in one, two, three, or four months... it will become routine and easier as well, the muscles and the cardio will build up gradually... learn to breathe better as well, look it up on YouTube

[Keishio]

I'm assuming you do trade work or something similar. I've been an electrician for the past 8 years or so and in the beginning building site work was a bit of an eye opener in terms of the physical demand but I'd advise making sure you eat well and eat good food, get plenty of water in you through the day and sleep. For the first few months I was working on probably 5 hours sleep a night because I would just stay up late doing nothing useful but when I started getting 7 - 8 hours sleep I felt like I have all the energy in the world and began excelling at my job. You could always incorporate some workouts in aswell to up your strength.

[Chazmatazz269]

Do the work, and THINK about it. Work smarter, not harder. STRETCH! You almost certainly have to repeat movements. So strengthen yourself for those movements, but stretch to reduce RSI. Ask your peers who have done it. Pride goeth before the fall. Why not send it packing sooner yet?

[aaron210419]

Wake up early enough to eat a good breakfast, this will help set you up better for the rest of the day. I'm an automotive technician so I'm constantly moving around, picking up transmissions and engine blocks among other heavy equipment and when I don't get a good breakfast in I can feel it until I go for lunch.

[GrantArmstrong]

Maybe someone with more experience can advise you on technique. I have learned tricks at my job to get maximum leverage. Pace yourself and get lots of rest at home. See a physiotherapist or similar professional if you can and get them to recommend stretches. My stretching routine helps a lot. Good luck!

[Kori1236]

Exercise; but it comes with time. I work in healthcare and have to be able to physically hold 300lbs if not more and typically they’re fighting you. Also practice proper body mechanics

[exitseven]

Your body will adapt. Do not quit. Make sure you get enough sleep and eat a good diet. Suck it up. You will be okay.

[poneglyphs]

Okay, will try my hardest but I am struggling moving these heavy pallets on the ramp 🥺🥺🥺

[exitseven]

If you can do this not only will you have a better job but it will help you in ways that you really cannot anticipate.

[poneglyphs]

Yeah, I know I'm just struggling and still new at this.

[exitseven]

I started a new job 6 months ago. I was unemployed for 18 months and before that I was teaching and had not done systems work in a few years. I got hired to be a systems admin and it was hard at first because some of the technology had changed. It also was difficult to work full time and do all the chores around the house that I had been doing. Ii is Friday and I am really tired. Still I am getting ready to do to work and tomorrow morning I will be doing a 2 hour gym workout before i start working on my house. You just got to go one step at a time..

[exitseven]

Will having a background in kinesiology help with this,

[Blackcupcake]

start exercising. I work a both physically and mentally demanding job, I am 22 years old living alone and a student, so I do what I need to do to get my job done. so if you really need your job, exercise and do it. if not, then just quit it.

[Anonymous]

You do it! It gets easier. Just gotta push through the mental part and the rest will follow

[poneglyphs]

Will, do juat having a hard time getting some skids over a ramp.

[Anonymous]

I started out with a desk job and then got promoted but the promotion required field work. The fieldwork was pretty strenuous, but I loved it. So, I decided to work out in the gyms of the hotels my company booked for me. Little by little, I got stronger and stronger. And then I got promoted again with a much higher pay. Ironically, I am back behind the desk in my own office with a view. Lol.

[Telekinetic-Potato]

Go to the gym. I swear to God, you will have more energy.

Source:I've been out of shape and working 3 jobs since I was 19

[hhhffg7889]

Look at it as getting paid to work out and go harder than anyone. Eventually it will be easy and you will be the hardest damn worker they have.

[Jamie05rhs]

You should have listened to me before when I told you to exercise.

[Zbrody1997]

With time your muscles will grow to adapt to your situation just stick with it if need be exercise to speed up the process

[RealMarek]

Stick with it. Your body will adapt. I worked in an old factory where heavy labor was required once. This could be good for you.

[CuriousMufuxka]

Just fuckin do it! I was a weak kid, teen as well. Getting paid lit a fire under my ass that still remains. Anyway depending on where in the world you're at, temp jobs are a dime a dozen.

[Anonymous]

Get an Isochain and do isometric lifts for 20-30 seconds.

[Crankor]

The more you do something, the easier it gets. Assuming your doing it the right way

[OddBeMe]

Well, constantly trying will have the benefits of making you stronger and better at the job.

[Anonymous]

What part do you struggle with? Can you give an example?

I do a physical job myself and a lot of it you just get used to over time.

[Guy13]

Either one is capable or they are not.

[poneglyphs]

So, should I quit while ahead or stick it out for a while 😕

[Guy13]

You will get stronger and get paid. Sounds like a Win-Win.

[WhitneySnow]

What is your new job?

[poneglyphs]

I put skids on a wrapping machine. Also, most of them are heavy

[WhitneySnow]

That sounds tough. But you’re just starting. You’ll get the hang of it.

[Iron_Man]

What kind of work is it?

[poneglyphs]

Just wrapping skids and pushing them to the machine.

[Iron_Man]

How heavy is that?

[poneglyphs]

Depending on the skid, the heaviest ones are 1400. The lightest are 400

[Iron_Man]

What is a skid steel columns

[Iron_Man]

I certainly hope you’re getting help all that weight

[Iron_Man]

Is it worth the money? Maybe you should find another job

[poneglyphs]

No, it's different product we make. It's was only my first week but will give it a shot for a while.

[Iron_Man]

OK good luck

[jimmy2]

I got to old for that kinda of a job

[TallAnon]

Work out