Less than 10 feet from my desk is...

My last job was like that - ALWAYS some kind of crappy food somewhere, or leftover food in the break room from a lunch that was ordered in for meetings, etc. Some people there had a weird thing about free food, they felt like they HAD to have it. It took me a while but eventually I got into the habit of not partaking. I don't need something just because it's there. Now I work in an office where everyone eats healthy. I feel lucky because that really helps my "environmental control".

find another place for it, then pick it up and move it there

eta: you are absolutely gorgeous, don't let those horrible things get you off track!

My tricks:

1) I use extremely high standards when evaluating stuff like this. Stale store-bought junk, eww. Artificial colors and flavors and high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils, no thank you.

2) If it's high quality but shows up frequently, I would probably just think, eh, maybe next time.

3) High quality stuff that is truly rare and exceptional in some way, I might fit a little into my day. I might take a piece and put it in my desk for later. Who knows when later might be, it might actually be never, but it's there if I want it, no feelings of deprivation necessary.

Another trick is to learn how to not see certain types of food. It takes a while to develop this skill, but if you can learn to not see that table it will not tempt you. It's just junk that other people didn't want, it is not for you. These are not the sweets you are looking for...

I think to a certain extent something primal gets involved when we run across a stash of free food, but it is possible to override our instincts and habits with training.

Make sure you have enough "real" food during the day so that actual feelings of hunger do not complicate the mental process (for me, protein/fat and low-density veggies are much more satisfying than empty carbs, which I could eat by the bucket and still want more).

Think of it this way: everything there is packaged. To get it, you would have to open the packages. That's a lot of work for a little snack. Be lazy

I broke down and had a quarter of a crispy creme.

Cookies and cakes, I can exhibit the patience of Job.

Chips? Snyder pretzel pieces? Not so much.

Ouch Girl. I would move my desk. lol

Tell everyone that you suffer from food addiction and that it's not helpfull.

You would not sit a alchoholic next to a free bar and expect them to be fine would you?

I know the feeling dear. About two weeks before my dad passed away I attempted starting back on my diet after a minor surgery BUT after he passed away the house was instantly filled with cakes, soda's, and all the goodies thinkable. I literally started giving food away because I couldn't stand for them to be in my view 24/7. . .and I knew this was the only way to keep myself from over indulging.

Stay strong & God bless ya sweetheart!

Oooh this sounds like a great idea. Is there an alternative to dark chocolate, im not a big fan?

It found its way to this end of the office for the same reason's just before I started.

Throw it out? I'd be eaten as an alternative

I don't wanna make a fuss you know, technically I guess there are 2 choices; eat it or leave it....it's bloody hard.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Oh goodness. That made my day!

As for the food, I know how you feel. I use to work for a company that would go down the street and get 16+ oz shakes, and other goodies! Heck, they even had BEER stocked in the refrigerator. Its hard and I will admit, I often failed to behave.

You should label each treat with a large sticky note of serving size and the calories and see how many people continue to eat them. It will probably be a deterant for most AND you if you have to pass by the large sticky note to get a piece of candy!

*edited for spelling.

Try working in the beer business. Full coolers in the office and everyday is an open bar.

Is anything chocolate? I can't tell. I might have a tough time, if there was chocolate!

Noooo, what you see are fake things! No chocolate!

you should go write in sharpie marker on each package how many minutes of cardio you( or anyone else for that matter) would need to do just to burn off the calories for just one serving...it will make you and everyone else think;) lol

Everyone will identify you as having an eating disorder, at worst, or being insanely irritating, at best.

I just decided that I was, as a rule, not going to eat any candy or other junk in the office. No matter what. I'll eat it in other places, but in the office it simply isn't an option. Not even one bite. I made that decision abruptly three weeks ago, and now the candy no longer torments me I mean, if there was a chocolate bar in your office mate's desk, would you struggle with whether or not to eat it? No! Because it's not yours. Office candy is also not yours. Done!