Have you swayed co-workers?

257_Lag
257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
in Motivation and Support
Not by being a vociferous food Nazi but from their curiosity of seeing you logging and/or from your results?

That's right... I just used vociferous in a sentence! (I will post this under Success Stories)
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Replies

  • kwilliams386
    kwilliams386 Posts: 156 Member
    I haven't lost enough for anyone to notice.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I was introduced to MFP by a work colleague.

    I have had work colleagues ask for my help in losing weight, but in the end they go about it in their own way and I don't wish to sound preachy.

    I did introduce my sister to MFP, and she has been doing very well.
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    It seems like everyone notices, but once they find out there is no magic pill, they usually drop it.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    Nope.

    They mostly either:
    1. Don't believe I lost weight just by eating less and moving more....mainly because they see me eating all the time.
    2. Still believe in fad diets
    3. Are just pissed that I lost weight and they didn't (even though they didn't do anything to achieve their goal).
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    "vociferous food Nazi" <<- That is pure genius!
  • ameliadlt
    ameliadlt Posts: 64 Member
    I get "what are you doing" a lot. And a hugely disappointed face when I tell them "eating well and going to the gym".
    I recently referred a person at work to mfp when she told me she was going to join weight watchers online. I find it boarding on unethical for weight loss programs to charge people money!
  • silversociety
    silversociety Posts: 222 Member
    I was persuaded by co-workers. I have in-turn persuaded a few friends to check out the site since.
  • janf15
    janf15 Posts: 242 Member
    I use every opportunity I can to teach co-workers about health and wellness. Mind you, I strongly believe that wellness is not only about fitness and weight loss. Today I was talking stress with a colleague (I am in health care). I gave her a few hints on how to 'meditate' and 'control her stress' with simple things. When I rounded on Saturday - we talked recipes and I chimed in.

    I am new at my institution (hospital) so noone knows my background which is a perfect in for me. When it is appropriate or I am asked - I talk about the gadgets, apps, and websites I use.

    often I hear 'I can't afford a gym membership' - so we talk about that.

    I feel it is very important that you 'seize the moment' and make it known you are a resource. What is counter productive is 'preaching' or telling people what to do. The person you talk with may not have the same motivation and goals or resources as you do.
  • MySlimGoals
    MySlimGoals Posts: 754 Member
    Nope.

    They mostly either:
    1. Don't believe I lost weight just by eating less and moving more....mainly because they see me eating all the time.
    2. Still believe in fad diets
    3. Are just pissed that I lost weight and they didn't (even though they didn't do anything to achieve their goal).

    Yes, all this. In the last job I worked in, they got all pissy at my weight loss, and one guy started to do the lemon detox.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    I use every opportunity I can to teach co-workers about health and wellness. Mind you, I strongly believe that wellness is not only about fitness and weight loss. Today I was talking stress with a colleague (I am in health care). I gave her a few hints on how to 'meditate' and 'control her stress' with simple things. When I rounded on Saturday - we talked recipes and I chimed in.

    I am new at my institution (hospital) so noone knows my background which is a perfect in for me. When it is appropriate or I am asked - I talk about the gadgets, apps, and websites I use.

    often I hear 'I can't afford a gym membership' - so we talk about that.

    I feel it is very important that you 'seize the moment' and make it known you are a resource. What is counter productive is 'preaching' or telling people what to do. The person you talk with may not have the same motivation and goals or resources as you do.

    F**king food Nazi!

    JK Brother, good for you! :-)
  • julesxo
    julesxo Posts: 422 Member
    No they just think I'm crazy (for doing Insanity lol)
  • ThisGirl2013
    ThisGirl2013 Posts: 220 Member
    yep *lol*
  • Ejwelton
    Ejwelton Posts: 331 Member
    Not so much with eating but my running has sparked quite a few others to take it up.
  • Karabobarra
    Karabobarra Posts: 782 Member
    It seems like everyone notices, but once they find out there is no magic pill, they usually drop it.

    ^^^ This, I've even been asked WHAT I'm taking, not HOW I'm losing weight. They act like I'm lying when I tell them I just track what I'm eating and exercise.
  • valeriewxy
    valeriewxy Posts: 418 Member
    I get "what are you doing" a lot. And a hugely disappointed face when I tell them "eating well and going to the gym".

    ^^^ This! And they tend to go "Oh ..." like "She hasn't told me anything I didn't know already!" I'm not sure what they expect from me, really. Lol.
  • Karabobarra
    Karabobarra Posts: 782 Member
    Nope.

    They mostly either:
    1. Don't believe I lost weight just by eating less and moving more....mainly because they see me eating all the time.
    2. Still believe in fad diets
    3. Are just pissed that I lost weight and they didn't (even though they didn't do anything to achieve their goal).
    ^^^^ and so much this!!! We have had three rounds of "The biggest Loser" at my work and the people that have the hardest time losing weight and want to whine about it to everyone are the same ones that hit the candy bowls on everyone's desk two or three times a day!! A snack size candy bar is around 70 calories, you probably only burned about 4 getting up and walking to the candy bowl and back to your desk... do the math!!
  • allie7383
    allie7383 Posts: 865 Member
    I was introduced to MFP by a friend, during a time when we had a Biggest Loser contest at work. At that time there were co-workers doing well and some have still kept weight off. There are actually more active, normal weight people than overweight I've come to notice. However, I've mentioned MFP to those who have asked.. I have yet to see those people follow through for more than a couple days.
  • Xianpu27
    Xianpu27 Posts: 70 Member
    Yep... last week one of my co-workers asked me how I'd lost the weight because she's tried every diet going and has had little to no success. When I told her how I've done it: "Tracking what I eat/drink, eating a lot healthier and working out more" she was like... "Is that IT?" lol! I think she's going to join MFP now.
  • Justjamie0418
    Justjamie0418 Posts: 1,065 Member
    Nope, I try and they just sit there with blank stares while shoving girl scout cookies in their pie holes.

    oh well. I guess.

    It makes me sad that my BFF wants to lose weight and makes a general post on FB saying she needs a workout buddy, so OF COURSE I said pick me! But she said I had lost too much weight already... I get that a lot, IDK if they are intimidated or what but I wanna scream, 'Hey I was a fatty once! I'm not gonna laugh at you, I am here for you!' kinda makes me sad :(
  • Railr0aderTony
    Railr0aderTony Posts: 6,803 Member
    It seems like everyone notices, but once they find out there is no magic pill, they usually drop it.

    ^^^This, I have had several even sign up for MFP but they are too busy to do it. Oh well, you can lead a horse to water as they say
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    I work with 5 other people. One needs to GAIN weight and one is "too old" for smart phones and computers. (So he says) But the other 3 are all using MFP, some more religiously than others. I'm the only one looking to lose a lot, the others are looking for about 15 lbs.

    The one guy is very active especially after lunch when he does his most physical work. He always used the "big lunch" to get ready for this labor. Two weeks ago after eating his lunch he said "That thing you are doing is really working, maybe I ought to try it?" Just for kicks and to show him how it works we logged the lunch he just ate lunch together. 1980 calories!!!

    For the next few days he logged all his food without changing anything just to see what was what. He intended to go a week like this but was so disgusted by what he was eating that on day 4 he changed his habits. It took a couple days to wean him off sugar as he was consuming a ton of it but since then he has been doing great!

    The morning conversation used to be about what we watched on TV last night. Now it's about how we exercised and what our numbers were from yesterday. Very cool indeed!
  • jayche
    jayche Posts: 1,128 Member
    Motivated some people (I think like 7) to start exercising cause they know where I started from not too long ago, not sure how many of them are still exercising though, I know for sure at least 3 are...
  • lktaylor85
    lktaylor85 Posts: 1
    Nope, I try and they just sit there with blank stares while shoving girl scout cookies in their pie holes.

    So very true! I admit to giving in to a Samoa now and then, but I've encouraged 2 co-workers to jump on the MFP train and they're as addicted as I am! Overall, it's been a huge success.
  • SweetestLibby
    SweetestLibby Posts: 607 Member
    Nope.

    They mostly either:
    1. Don't believe I lost weight just by eating less and moving more....mainly because they see me eating all the time.
    2. Still believe in fad diets
    3. Are just pissed that I lost weight and they didn't (even though they didn't do anything to achieve their goal).

    Pretty much this. Then I had one coworker say that I didn't eat/starved myself - nevermined I eat 6 to 7 times a day - I'm always snacking on something. Her desk was moved closer to mine and now she's seen frequently I eat. She tried a juice fast and can't figure out why she gained back the weight she lost when she started eating again.

    if they ask what I'm doing I'll share what has worked for me but I don't go out of my way to offer advise
  • __RANDY__
    __RANDY__ Posts: 1,036 Member
    I tell them my secret is to drink over a gallon of water every day.
  • SweetlyVague
    SweetlyVague Posts: 172 Member
    I haven't gotten my roommate/coworker into MFP, but how much weight I've lost + how much I leave the apartment to go workout have motivated him to get off his butt, too.
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    My coworker is drinking body by vi shakes, and taking fat burners.
    She thinks that she'll "tone up" for the summer... ugh
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    I got one co-worker into the gym and lifting heavy, and she's an older woman (dunno how old, but her daughter is in medical school). So that's pretty awesome.

    But mostly I just say "yeah, been working out" or something and try to change the subject when people bring up weight loss because if I actually engage them on it they'll argue that they "bulk right up" if they lift or that they "hardly eat" now or talk about whatever fad diet they plan on going on as soon as they can get the money together. If you're just going to dismiss what I'm saying, why did you ask me in the first place?
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    "I got one co-worker into the gym and lifting heavy, and she's an older woman (dunno how old, but her daughter is in medical school). So that's pretty awesome."

    Holy crap! She is old. As old as me hehe.

    Congrats on the recruit, just busting on you about the age.
  • bokodasu
    bokodasu Posts: 629 Member
    Oh, I just meant "older than me" (which none of the complain-y coworkers are), not "so old I don't know how she totters into the gym".

    Now, that 102-year-old guy who started going to the gym at 98, he falls squarely into the category of "older gentleman".

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