They should consider laws on discriminating against short people. At least fat people can change their weight, however difficult that may be. Short people cannot change their height. Thus, the discrimination against short people is much more significant than against fat people.

Fat lawyers are disgusting. Hit the gym, fatties!

This post makes me hungry. Off to the kitchen.

11:12, I totally agree.

It pisses me off that I lost 25lbs since law school. I used to be 187 and 6% body fat. Now I'm 162 and 10% body fat. It's incredibly difficult for me to maintain my 7 meals a day habit.

Clients and co-workers are offended out when I eat a slab of lean chicken in meetings. However, I'm offended by how out of shape they are.

I second 11:17, lost 20 lbs of muscle since law school. Strict diet and regular gym schedule is kinda hard to maintain when you are working a lot of hours. On the bright side, didn't get any fat.

I think we should discriminate against fat people. When I see a fat person, I just can't take what he says seriously because he obviously has no self-control or personal discipline. Why would I solicit advice from someone who cannot maintain a baseline level of health (i.e., not be obese)? Also, who do you think is getting billed for all those Starbucks brownies? Methinks the client...

I approve this message.

Shut up Grover. I can tell from your picture that you're a fat ass.

I lost a ton of weight (1) because I gained a ton of weight in the stress and immobility of studying-for-the-bar and looking for a job and (2) it was the one aspect of my life I could control instead of the partner who rules every other aspect of my life and (3) my best friend and fellow associate and I would meet before dawn to run and have our daily venting stress-relief sessions before work each day.

My boss did decide not to hire a paralegal candidate one time because he thought her clothes seemed tight and that indicated that she'd gained weight recently and that indicated that she had upheaval in her life and he didn't want anyone with "personal problems". Jeesh.

It seems entirely rational to prefer hiring a similarly qualified person who is shape rather than their hefty counterpart. The person who is in shape will likely have more energy and I've read at least one study saying people who regularly exercise are on average more productive workers. Obviously this is a statistical metric and therefore won't hold true in every case, but law firms use more arbitrary things than this in the hiring process.

Does Lat just let any idiot write for ATL?

Gained 20 lbs. of lean muscle, baby. What'cha gonna do, when the real truth, the 22" pythons run wild on you!?!

11:12 - What's that little guy? You want to end discrimination based on height? Aww, isn't that cute.

Now, shut the fuck up, pull up your little, white suspenders, and comb your green hair; there is a chocolate river you need to be tending to.

My firm has the best food of any I interviewed at. I don't think I was considering that when I chose the firm, but now that I'm here, it's definitely nice. Of course...

I've put on a lot of weight while here. And I mean a LOT.

Still, the partner I've been working with is fat, too, and if anything, I feel like he might like me and this other female associate more than the others because of the weight we put on. There's one other associate, a skinny athletic guy, who the partner doesn't like (and makes no secret of it either), though the dude isn't an idiot (most of the time). Of course, there's no way that I could say this has anything to do with our weights but when the partner offers me a cookie (yes, our meeting rooms are always stocked with cookies) I don't say no.

Also, I think we should ban discrimination based on laziness, bad breath, acting like an ass, and people who wear bowties.

I think if you are in SoCal, there is a tacit understanding that you have to work out and people won't fault you for that. That said, it doesn't matter where you are, you can slip in a 45 minute workout each day, at least.

Hey, New Yorkers, why not go to the gym during that 3-hour period known as 7:30-10:30 when I'm at work and your still hitting snooze.

11:56 AM - I concur on the bowties. Get yourself a real corporate tie, loser.

If you're not working out at least an hour and a half a day, you're not going to be alert enough to remain focused while putting in serious hours. It's that fucking simple, so get your ass to the gym and then get back to billing.

Why does this poll assume we all work at firms? No interest in determining whether law grads working for government or public interest put on weight?

any correlation b/t biglaw and balding?

I gained about 10 pounds in my first year at the firm, but I've lost it all because my clothes did not fit. I'm gonig to have to avoid the temptations of the summer lunches to keep my svelte figure.

11:58: I agree that there's no such understanding in NYC. Exercise is viewed as more of a luxury than a necessity (though I don't see it that way at all). I used to run early in the morning when I worked in BIGLAW and take advantage of that 9:30 arrival. I was willing to sacrifice for that job, but I wasn't willing to sacrifice my fitness.

Ok, here goes. I've always been a big guy (ex-football lineman) and I love to work-out. It definitely is very, very annoying that people assume that you're more intelligent because you're skinny. Try putting 14 hr. days in REGULARLY and having time to go to the gym for a serious hour and a half work out. It's easy to maintain your weight, but, a lot harder to lose, when you're glued to your chair for over 12 hrs. a day. If you started out skinny before you went to work at BigLaw, then, it's a lot easier for your to stay that way. But, if you're larger, it's really hard to lose weight, because you're so immobile. I wish I could be a personal trainer and work out for 4 hrs a day, like I did in college, but, somebody's gotta cite check that motion.

BigLaw is chock full of prejudices. It's racist, sexist, classist, and absolutely full of "fat" bias. Intelligence is one of BigLaw's, and the Legal "profession" as a whole, least important considerations, when determining the merit of a lawyer. From Partner to peer the biases are expressed. It's a wonder how this Institution that claims to hold justice and impartiality in such high regard, acts toward it's members. I guess we all need to be better than someone else. I like short and fat lawyers. I guess I value their track record more than how good they look in an overpriced suit.

12:36:

"[H]ow this institution . . . acts toward it's members"

Should be:

"[H]ow this institution . . . acts toward its members"

-Grammuh Time

How about a poll about favorite colors? Or maybe favorite songs or movies?

I think there needs to be a poll about whether this site should keep going or just close-up shop. All there is anymore is maternity leave posts, polls, and irrelevant (although sexual) posts by the former stripper/call girl (aka paralegal aka Kash).

11:53 = 1
11:12 = 0

keep in mind that the average american adult gains approximately one pound a year

12:44 - I say close up shop.

I was in amazing shape and had more laides than I could handle. 1 year at the firm and I am now a whale who can barely remember how to put a condom on.

12:36- Is that the best you've got? Really? I bet you feel really smart Mr. Grammar Cop. Lol... Attack one of my statements, not my grammar, and I'll be impressed.

NY to 350!

...lbs. that is...

I put on a solid 15 pounds my first year. I still made it to the gym 3-4 times a week. I think it was mainly caused by sitting on my ass for 10-12 hours a day without even budging. I was also starting get a bad back, even with the ergonomic fancy shmancy chair.

The weight is almost agone now, and I didn't even change that much. The firm put in a cafeteria which is actually a big help. The other major factor is standing. If you stand at work instead of sit, you can burn up to 300-500 calories more per day. To boot, sitting for too long causes your metabolism to grind to a hault.

I set up my office so that my keyboard and computer screen are at standing height, and I got a lectern for my desk so I can read docs while standing. At first my legs and feet hurt, but after a couple of weeks I didn't even notice it anymore. My back feels 100% better, and I've dropped about 10 pounds all told.

I do get made fun of though.

1:58 - surely you're kidding. You have a lectern in your office?

I demand instant poll results!

*Can't speak as half a Big Mac in mouth*

Especially if your office or apartment has a gym, or there is one near either of them, it's not difficult to control your physique. Lifting weights does not take much time if you don't screw around, and walking plus some cardio helps even in small doses. And you shouldn't be doing weights every day anyway.

It is not that difficult to manage in time to work out. People who turn "THE GYM" into a 4-hour Roman bath ritual including a trip to a massage parlor will disagree.

I'm about to be a summer associate and am super nervous about the weight gain aspect. I'm actually trying to lose the 20 lbs I gained this year (after losing 60 the year before) and I know those fancy lunches are going to sabotage my diet plans...

Does anyone have stories of gaining a ton of weight (or, even better, losing it) during their 2L summer?

I've noticed that several male partners do their work standing up and have their computers set up lecturn-style. I find it very intriguing, especially the burning calories part, but I'm not sure if I could type standing up for hours, particularly in heels.

I instituted a "no-dessert-but-fruit-or-sorbet" rule when I was a summer associate and was the only one at my firm who did not put on weight. Between the big meals, the cookies at every meeting and the alcohol at every social event, consuming tons of calories can seem normal and routine. I've also managed to stay in shape as an associate, by making time for a workout everyday and by packing a healthy lunch. I do think the earlier poster was right though - healthy habits don't go over well with all the partners. There are some who just don't trust a person who doesn't want a cookie.

I don't think you should be too worried about standing up in your heels. You're just going to put on 30 lbs. when you get pregnant anyways.

I gained 350 pounds as a summer associate. At the end of the summer I was guaranteed an offer as security could not remove me from my office (door wasn't big enough). I ended up finishing my third year of law school through correspondence.

While it's not a path I would recommend, it worked for me.

Associate weight gain really is all about the cookies.

This survey is flawed for the very simple reason that it fails to specify gender of the respondents. We're going to have results that say net of 0 pounds weight gain -- which will fail to accurately demonstrate that guys lost any ab definition and 10 pounds of muscle and the girls lost their waistline and gained 10 pounds of muffin tops.

Please add the query of gender so that we can get it right! Would be very helpful to encourage firms which don't sponsor corporate gym memberships/discounts/and the like....

most male biglaw attorneys develop manbboobs within 2 years of signing on.

2:52, funny but not likely for a long time. There are some women that actually enjoy practicing law at a big firm and aren't interested in the mommy track. - 2:49

2:26- Losing weight is going to be hard- you need to go on lunches you are invited to. If you are noticably heavy, though, I think people will be understanding if you, for instance, order one appetizer for a starter and then another appetizer as your entree. Order espresso for dessert.

nothing more repulsive that a fat, pasty, sweaty, lawyer.. you can hear the blood struggling to pump through fat soaked arteries... you will die early and alone then your "colleagues" will wage war over who gets your book.

eating healthy at nice restaurants is actually pretty easy because these restaurants do a nice job with healthy stuff like fish, shrimp, sushi, etc.

I am going to balloon up like a whale this summer...

I would be thrilled if a summer didn't order dessert - then I wouldn't have to order one (and eat it) and could go back to my billable work.

I second the espresso for dessert suggestion - also helps to counteract the inevitable food coma.

2:52 (350 lbs) - laughed out loud

2:52(1), why the preggo-hate? I gained 50+ pounds with both of my pregnancies and got back down to 115 (I'm 5'5") with no problem both times.

I credit breastfeeding (burns lots of calories), chasingafter the little ones (great cardio), carrying said little ones everywhere (weight training) and working fulltime (no time to eat).

Have another cookie.

Meh, fish, shrimp and sushi are boring. Live it up while you can, law students. Go for the porterhouse with hollendaise every chance you get.

Hey 11:55--

Fatty, fatty, two by four, can't fit through the office door!

But seriously, you'll really feel so much better if you hit the gym and watch what you eat.

Ordering espresso for dessert is a great idea. you don't want to be the only one with nothing in front of you.

I'd also add not to sweat the weight gain too much. I lost all the extra weight within a few months of my 3L fall simply by returning to a more normal routine. Add a more stringent workout regime on top of that and you will be fine.

For some reason the student body of HLS is rather portly.

"you don't want to be the only one with nothing in front of you."

Please get over yourself. Most people don't notice or care what you eat or don't.

Schlomo say he hungy for latka.

What about discrimination based on facial hair?

2:49

You could always have a pair of flats under the desk, and switch when necessary. For serious drafting I usually pull up the chair and sit down to get to work, but for the average day to day stuff (short memos, e-mails, letters, etc.) standing is no problem.

Fat ass lawyers to untimely death and no sex!

2:49- I can't wait to meet you,

FUPA

the abnormal amount of calories you take in as an SA will be countered by an increased metabolism for about the first 5 weeks.

Schlomo to bagel & lox

Perhaps this would warrant posting elsewhere, but here goes . . .

What on earth do people do when they are pregnant and work in a fairly conservative office? Everything maternity seems either hoochie (esp. in summer) or of the Texas-Polygamy-Compound ilk. National chain store recommendations? Special shopping trip to NYC (am in the southeast)? The Liz Lange website doesn't really sell things anymore and the only other option may be Liz Lange for Target (looking better by the minute). Am having the appetite of a longshoreman, so probably cannot keep L'Enfant under wraps much longer. Ayudame!

Female attorneys should not get pregnant ... they should just make sure that they look good for their male co-workers

Law firm butt is sexy before it gets out of control.

4:09

Ann Taylor Loft has maternity clothes that are decent (also available online)

TummyStyle.com, Bellydancematernity.com, and babystyle.com have some good work choices (but you do have to sift through the hoochie stuff)

Noppies and Olian are two good brands. I had an Olian suit that held up through both pregnancies.

I didn't care for Liz Lange at Target, myself--the material was itchy/stiff.

Oh, and congratulations!

Latkas make me hungry for jewish women

Why am I on here more than I'm on Facebook or G-mail? This is addicting- the best peices of advice I've heard so far are:
1. Stand and work- definitely works
2. Espresso for dessert- nice
3. Self hate and subsequent cocaine induced bolemia blackouts-

Great job guys!

Cocaine should be a staple of every attorneys life. Just like Vitamin C. Just ask the guys over at Skadden and Venable.

4:23 - please elaborate

Yeah, the poll is flawed because it only asks about weight change, not muscle versus fat. This wouldn't be solved by specifying gender. Women actually have muscle to lose, too. Dumbass.

I put on 11 when I was a summer.
We had a contest on my floor. Dude who won packed on 23 (in 11 weeks)

Bring a pair of dumbbells into your office. Use them regularly. Builds muscle, burns calories, and wakes you the hell up at 2:30 AM.

It's also good for intimidation value. Anyone can have Wall Street gold schlock on their desk.

I realized during the summer that you can save a lot of calories by eating a very small prepared dinner, like Lean Cuisine or Amy's frozen food. They are quick, pretty cheap (save your $$ for other stuff!) and low in calories. I think you'll also find that most times you're not actually hungry for anything more with the lunches you have.

Let's face it, in this culture (at least in big diverse cities) you are way better off and less likely to be judged being part of an ethnic minority than being overweight.

10:50 - So did we. I won - 8lbs. Damn you have a fat firm.