Co-Workers trying to sabotage me

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Iceman420
Iceman420 Posts: 195
in Motivation and Support
Ever since I started this weight loss attempt on Jan 1st, my co-workers have been trying to sabotage it. They started out with normal teasing, which I'm fine with. Nothing wrong with a few jokes for motivation, and I give them plenty of crap in return. But lately they have been watching everything I eat at lunch, and talking about how good/bad my meals are. They are also offering me food and soda, hoping I break my diet.

I know they are just goofing off, but it's really getting on my nerves. I don't want to get TOO angry with them because they are (usually) a good group of co-workers. Don't want to drive them away and risk losing my job. Does anyone know how to POLITELY handle this? Also, is anyone else having this problem at work?
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Replies

  • DonnaNCgirl
    DonnaNCgirl Posts: 372
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    **it happens. People react when you make any kind of change. It could be for so many reasons, none of them very good or helpful. My advice...Don't let it bother you! You've decided to make a big change and if they wanna be turds, let 'em! Keep up the good work!
  • BreeBears
    BreeBears Posts: 6
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    I do not work outside the home so I don't really run into this type of thing in the work place... I DID run into it at my grandmother's today. Once my grandmother found out that my sister and I were on a diet... The only thing she wanted to talk about was all the foods we were allowed to have... but loved... and missed. Although I think she was just chatty... and did not mean anything malicious by it... after a few minutes I was over it. I'm a pretty blunt person (I do try to sugar coat things but doesn't always work)... so I simply told her, "Grandma... Shhhhhhh... I don't want to talk about it. It's bad for my motivation. Mission Support Bree.. Sorry, but you fail."... She laughed at me but I think she caught the "hint" because the subject quickly changed... Then I got to hear all about how I wasn't dressed warm enough LOL Always something.

    I will admit that I tried to get my message across in a joking manner... My grandmother is a sensitive person. If it continues, I'll up the meanness. Or perhaps upping the bluntness is a better term. I have to get my point across (since I can't avoid her).. I feel that it is crucial to my success. I'm a sarcastic person by nature... but if I try hard enough... I can be polite and blunt at the same time. IMO, that's probably what is needed.

    Good luck with this issue at work... and definitely good luck with your goals.. YOU GOT THIS!!!!!!!
  • wnbrice
    wnbrice Posts: 244 Member
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    "Hey man, I am all for joking around, but I am trying to save my life here. Could you please knock it off"
  • RonnieLodge
    RonnieLodge Posts: 665 Member
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    Can you have your lunch elsewhere?
  • hrubyk1804
    hrubyk1804 Posts: 51
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    How about..."hey guys, cut me some slack. This is hard enough without the commentary."
  • Brenna
    Brenna Posts: 126 Member
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    Maybe they would like to join? Misery loves company, so I suppose they may be admiring your attitude and commitment and wish they had the same self-control. Maybe they just need a nudge to start their own healthy lifestyle change?

    OR... find new lunch buddies, don't let them stand in your way!!
  • sherrirb
    sherrirb Posts: 1,714 Member
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    How about..."hey guys, cut me some slack. This is hard enough without the commentary."

    ^^This

    Another thing is you might want to keep in the back of your mind.... some of them might be jealous of your strength and would rather see you fail just so they can feel better about their own pitiful failed attempts at something that would change their lives.

    Don't fault them for their weaknesses, rise above!
  • YoYo1951
    YoYo1951 Posts: 370
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    I have to deal with this daily. They watch what I eat, tell me I need to stop dieting, that I look anorexic, and old. It happens daily. The first couple of times, I stood up and said "I smell jealousy." They have continued it, so I am no longer eating with them. People that do not want to change make the worst comments. They are jealous, and unmotivated. They are also heavy. I go somewhere else to eat, or I go out of the office now. Can not handle that on a daily basis.
  • MicroHez
    MicroHez Posts: 125 Member
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    You pretty much just have to let it roll off you like water on a duck's back. People are gonna pick; it's just how they are.

    In my case, I don't advertise loudly I am trying to lose weight; I tell my few good friends, but that is it. People see that instead of having oreos for morning break, I am having a container of yogurt and a piece of fruit. They politely ask if I am trying to lose weight; I say yes; They nod politely and leave me alone. My co-worker, however, announces to the whole breakroom she has X points left for the day and how she can't have ANY fattening food, because it will derail her. So, that just makes people pick on her more.
  • PatrickSwayzesGhost
    PatrickSwayzesGhost Posts: 300 Member
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    Ex-Lax brownies. That will show them!
  • fightininggirl
    fightininggirl Posts: 792 Member
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    I hve been there so I relate to that. How I handle it is hold my head up high and show them my confidence. they hate it and it drives them crazy. as long as they know it bothers you, that it what feeds them. they probably are unhappy with thereself and have some other insecurity issue.

    perhaps pick something to tease them about and give them a taste of their own medicine. say something like Gee I'm so sorry my weight offends you but I am confident with who I am so apparently the problem lies with you. what insecurity issue can I help you with.
  • Rhonnie
    Rhonnie Posts: 506 Member
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    I think you already figured it out - POLITELY tell them. :) Is there a 'ring-leader' that does most of it? Maybe start by taking them aside and letting them know how you feel. And of course all the same ol' rules apply as if you were talking to a friend/loved one - use words like "I feel" instead of accusatory "you do this" etc..
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
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    people are just getting in your business. I just don't say anything and there is only one person that sees I lost weight. In the past all the others used to get on me for being fat. Now they are all fat and i'm laughing. biotches!
  • striveforhealthy
    striveforhealthy Posts: 137 Member
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    Not with co-workers but with a specific friend of mine. No matter how many times I tell her that I am eating healthier, trying to lose the couple pounds I gained during the holidays, and don't want to dine out - she'll call me up and ask if I want to go to lunch/dinner or if I am with her a couple of times we've stopped at the grocery store and asks if I want cupcakes and or ice cream. It's never ending. -.- I've learned to say no thank you time and time again because no matter how many times I try to explain, she just doesn't get it.
  • ChristinaR720
    ChristinaR720 Posts: 1,186
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    Nobody can sabotage you without your consent.

    Some people will be fiercely supportive of you and others will be jealous @$$holes. Just keep on keeping on and try to block out those negative people and influences. You can do this and you ARE doing this.
  • ashleighlive
    ashleighlive Posts: 43 Member
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    How about..."hey guys, cut me some slack. This is hard enough without the commentary."

    ^^This

    Another thing is you might want to keep in the back of your mind.... some of them might be jealous of your strength and would rather see you fail just so they can feel better about their own pitiful failed attempts at something that would change their lives.

    Don't fault them for their weaknesses, rise above!

    Absolutely agree they are jealous you are trying to make a positive change that they probably don't have the balls to do!
    They don't want to see you suceed, because making you fail is easier then them making a positive change for themselves.
    You need to rise above them, agree with Rhonnie, you need to target the ringleader, if that gets you nowhere I would avoid them, unless you want to take it further, i.e. HR.

    I know it seems like a small matter to some people but an organisation should NOT be fostering an unhealthy attitude towards health. They should promote and support you in your journey as it's beneficial to their bottom line and I would hope your current organisation sees it this way. Confide in someone you trust within your organisation who is aware of your organisation's culture and ask them for advice if talking to the ringleader and co leads nowhere.

    I am sorry you are being treated this way. I would never discourage anyone who is actively trying to change their life for the better, in fact it's my job within my organisation to motivate people such as yourself *hence my passion here* & it’s hard to motivate middle age men so if I learnt others were discouraging I would do something about it quick smart!

    Good luck with your journey!
  • serenapitala
    serenapitala Posts: 441 Member
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    How about..."hey guys, cut me some slack. This is hard enough without the commentary."

    ↑↑This↑↑
    It seems like you get along well. They probably don't understand why those actions are any different than the gentle ribbing. It sucks to have to admit that you are phased by them, but you are. If they are the friendly people they sound like, then they'll get it and move on. If not, you'll know they are jerks and that makes it easier to ignore.
    Best of luck!
  • raneylfrick
    raneylfrick Posts: 380 Member
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    Wow...some people can go so low to try to hurt others or see them fail. Just hold your head high, Hon. I remember the first time I ever did a diet, I was doing awesome, but then I noticed that my now ex would always come home and say, "Hey, are you still on your diet?" That's it...that's all he could get out after a night of drinking. I found out that all his buddies at his work had a bet going on how soon I would fail the diet. These were all guys I've known for quite a while. It hurt me, so I went back into depressive eating. They won... But now, all I'm saying is 'To hell with everyone else!' I know that I am strong enough to overcome my eating/weight problem. I know you are as well...I've seen your progress and your posts. You are dedicated to this. Stay strong and prove them wrong!
  • healthyformeanMona
    healthyformeanMona Posts: 143 Member
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    You are doing awesome! They are taking notice, and the positive changes in you are rocking their boats. Keep doing what you are doing. How close in proximity are you--do you share a cubicle? ride in a work vehicle or car pool? work together on projects? My co-workers have not been very supportive, but they haven't tried to sabatoge me either. How is the power-differential? Are you a suprevisor, or are any of them? You might have to put an invisible bubble around you and let it ping off. They will tire of it eventually. But stay true to yourself. Do not quit before you reach your goal..then set a new goal of maintaining. A goal is a wish with a plan--Plan for success. And really, you can't control their thoughts, words, or deeds. Only yours. Goodl luck, and congratulations on your decisoin and progress!!! : :smile:
  • Iceman420
    Iceman420 Posts: 195
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    Thanks for the replies everyone. We all work in the same warehouse department, so I really can't get away from them. I will politely tell them to back off :)

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