The Banner of Shame

Monday was our forced wellness kickoff event where they announce plans for this year and recognize successes of the previous year. As I previously wrote, I knew I was in the top five for weight loss. (Top 5 of 1800). And, they had called to see if I would be at the kickoff because they were going to announce it. Announce it. I can still hear those exact words in my ears from the phone conversation. I'm thinking, that's not horrible. Maybe only 300 people will go and hear it. Ah, not exactly.

My boss emails me that morning to say they've just hung a huge banner in the atrium, from floor to ceiling is how she describes it, with my name on it. I'm number 4. Then, she taunts me with, "and you know they leave it up all year. So, now EVERYONE knows."

Later, I go down to the event and actually see the banner.

Gulp.  I see that the banner says... "Total weight loss in 2010:  4661 lbs"  then listing 10 names, with me being number 4.  Wow, I think.  That makes it look like the 10 of us lost 4661 pounds, not the entire company of 1800 people.  Awesome. 

My boss sees me and, knowing my humiliation, comes to console/taunt me.  "Now, you definitely can't gain any weight back... because everyone will know."