desk job = major food temptations

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  • AmberLee2012
    AmberLee2012 Posts: 540
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    Outside my cubicle today is a big plate of m&m cookies and two bowls of peanut butter m&ms. Ugh.
  • Lalouse
    Lalouse Posts: 221 Member
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    I've got a job that's a desk job most of the year. I hear you about the temptations. You have to keep snacks around and lots of water. Get a water bottle that you can refill and give yourself time limits to when you have to go refill it (i.e. you have to drink it during that time). Cold water helps keep cravings away.

    You don't have to stop yourself from eating anything and everything. Although it's better to cut soda out completely, if you haven't reached that point and you actually go to the vending machine, get a diet soda or a healthier snack.

    Try to keep things that last at your desk, like nuts (which help fight off chocolate cravings, but don't eat them all!), dark chocolate, and so on. I actually have tons of healthy tips on the walls around my desk to help me to remember to eat healthy. I also ripped a page out of a magazine that is about being at a desk job and having cravings and why you have them. You can find stuff like this all over the internet. Make your desk a healthy place (or at least a nagging reminder to be healthier)!! :)
  • mitziku
    mitziku Posts: 22 Member
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    I fight the same battle. I bring healthy snacks like protein bars and Greek yogurt. If you need chocolate, try bringing a sugar free variety to keep in your desk. Atkins make some wonderful protein bars that satisfy my sweet tooth. Drink lots of water and stay away from caffeine. I find being caffeine free helps control my sugar cravings. I drink at least one protein drink at work and water with Crystal Lite. The temptation is gone when I use these items. Good luck!
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
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    What's interesting, is in some office location jobs?

    They reward with...

    ...food...

    What's up with that? I'd rather not get a pat on the head like a good little doggy and fed with treats.
    Pay me, let me go home and do something worth while, outside of the job.

    Yes please.
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
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    I find the easiest way to curb the vending machine temptation is to look at the prices. I'm not going to spend that kind of money on a small bag of chips that I can snarf down before I've even blinked. And the chocolate bars do nothing for me. If I want chocolate, it has to be good, dark chocolate.

    I've actually never had a desire for pop during the day, so that's never been a temptation. Plus again, the vending machine prices has me saying "no thanks". I'll save my money for something else that I'll get more enjoyment out of.
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
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    This is so true. To make matters worse, there are only a couple of us who worry about our health in my entire building...no joke!! Everyone here is either overweight, out of shape, and/or a smoker. There is always cake, cookies, desserts, and all sorts of junk food in the break room. Not to mention all the pot lucks and burger/brat parties!

    I get stronger each time I resist the temptations!!!

    I feel like what you described is every office on earth. It truly is disgusting the way that people take care of themselves without even realizing it.
  • jenn5136
    jenn5136 Posts: 9
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    I too work at the desk all day and it's a struggle. I have started bringing tons of low cal (100 or less) snacks, like air popped popcorn, fresh fruit (berries), I drink Green Tea, and then also will bring celery, hummus, etc....I also try to incorporate big protein at lunch to keep me full longer, and then of course my trusty water, water, water. This has helped tons......
  • Mariannewww
    Mariannewww Posts: 67
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    I don't bring cash just my debit card - and I regiment my eating so I know what I'm allowed and when (like training a dog!)

    The thing that kills me is when people have birthdays or leaving do's cake, KETTLE CHIPS, homemade cookies - it's a living nightmare!
  • Change_is_Good_
    Change_is_Good_ Posts: 272 Member
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    Oh and I preportion my snacks and bring one portion with me from home... otherwise I will eat all of what I have stashed in my desk.

    This! I have to measure at home

    Fruit/green tea is my saviour, and celery, love celery
  • cxmoore2
    cxmoore2 Posts: 3 Member
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    I love your idea! I'm thinking that throwing the food container would be good exercise as well as an emotional outlet. Right now, I'm trying to focus only on calories. I'm eating what I want, just not as much as I want. It forces me to think of ways to balance the number of calories with the amount of food I can have. Like the granola bar that really doesn't fill me up is 140 calories, whereas the slice of cinnamon bread is only 90 calories. Bread works better for me. And some people have mentioned soda. I prefer diet drinks, but find that after I've had one that I'm actually hungrier than before. I read somewhere that artificial sweeteners actually trigger a low blood sugar response.

    But, I've only lost 2 lbs in 12 days . . . that should tell you something.
  • hannahpark3r
    hannahpark3r Posts: 50 Member
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    I have the same problem! I've gotten in the habit of bringing my lunch and bringing healthy snacks with me to work and that's helped a lot. Fortunately the closest place to my office that sells food it pretty far from my office so I'm not able to go that much.
  • dhanisk
    dhanisk Posts: 29
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    Try cold water instead. If that does not fix it, try green tea. I am sure you can control your munching cravings in check.
    Best wishes
  • KettleTO
    KettleTO Posts: 144 Member
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    I get bored and all I want is to put something in my mouth. I try for tea and sugarless gum. I was chewing so much gum that I had tooth and jaw pain.

    Bombard me with phone calls and high pressure tasks and I wouldn't eat, but I wouldn't make it to the gym either. Can't win.
  • miracle83
    miracle83 Posts: 4 Member
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    food carving is my biggest problem ! and i am more of an emotional eater :(
  • fun_b
    fun_b Posts: 199 Member
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    I never buy from the vending machines mostly because most of the snacks are cheaper in store. My office temptations comes from people bringing in food for their birthday!
  • squatsandlipgloss
    squatsandlipgloss Posts: 595 Member
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    When I just started out eating healthy, I did an internship, it was also a desk job at an office. They would ALWAYS have chocolate, cookies and cake on the table right in front of me. I hated it. I would always make sure to have healthy snacks on me, so every time someone would offer me something, I would quickly sayno (give myself no time to think about it) and eat something healthy. If I really, really, wanted it, I told myself "1 cookie, and thats it" and that would work for me. I would have that cookie, enjoy it and be done with it.

    When you have a vending machine, that is terrible. I have a similar problem now, traveling to and from school I pass a few places where I could buy snacks or other sh... I try to leave my cash at home and m debit cards.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
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    my sister in law has this issue too, but she's noticed people arent 0washing their hands well in the bathroom, and often don't wash before cutting the cake etc, even though there's a sink in the same area. so she only eats it if it's something she really likes, and she opens the package herself. no homemade packages unless she trusts the person that made it.
  • bluebear_74
    bluebear_74 Posts: 179
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    I'm glad our vending machine is a 5 minute walk each way for me. Like others I keep low cal snacks in my draw. I find green tea helps also.

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