YOU AREN'T EATING????

Cella30
Cella30 Posts: 539 Member
edited September 26 in Motivation and Support
Today we had a lunch catered in for our office. I knew it was coming, but I didn't know what they would have so I didn't plan it into my meal plan today. It's usually a heavy pasta and bread, so I decided I would pack a lunch and eat it after the catered luncheon.

Well, I wasn't expecting so many remarks from my coworkers. "You aren't eating???? Why aren't you eating??? Are you on a diet or something?? Can't you have just a little??"

Ugh. :grumble: They were all looking at me for an explanation. Why does it matter? What's the big deal? I can pass on a catered luncheon and the world will not come to an end.

Does anyone ever had this happen? How did you handle it?
«1

Replies

  • Angela4Health
    Angela4Health Posts: 1,319 Member
    I sadly used to be one of those people to try and force others to eat. Terrible, I know. If only I knew then what I know now. :(
  • flyawaybyebye
    flyawaybyebye Posts: 250
    Try: "My stomach was feeling a little funny (they don't have to know that funny = jiggly...), so I decided to skip the luncheon food and bring a few things I know won't make it feel worse."
  • chelsifina
    chelsifina Posts: 346 Member
    I hate that. That happens all the time. All I gotta say is b*tches be trippin....
  • andreae13
    andreae13 Posts: 239 Member
    annabelle23...That's a really good idea, I think I'll have to steal that one :)
  • Mistykelly
    Mistykelly Posts: 47 Member
    Not exactly but kind of.... My family is very competitive and if you are on a diet when we have a family gathering and someone notices they make a big deal of it.... So I pick the very lightest thing available, and put on my plate that as well as others I have no intentions of eating and pick at the healthiest thing. Usually we have a salad so it works pretty well. Either that or I tell them I am not feeling very well... they tend to leave me alone after that! Good luck!
  • Meganne1982
    Meganne1982 Posts: 451
    Has happened to me many times. Even this weekend at one of my fiance's family functions, I didn't have a piece of cake and his mother got all on my case about, "oh, you should have a piece. just a tiny one. you aren't on a diet are you" and blah blah blah.

    I just try to politely communicate that I just make my food choices based on how I'm gonna feel afterward, and that thank you, but I'm fine without whatever is offered that I don't want.

    People are the worst when there're lots of sweets around and are baffled by my abstaining from sugar...
  • Whitneylol
    Whitneylol Posts: 244
    I always just say "I'm not hungry, thanks!'' if that doesn't work, gross them out and make them regret asking by saying 'yeah, I've got a stomach thing going on...'

    Diarrhea and puke will make people shutup :)
  • theresabell67
    theresabell67 Posts: 97 Member
    I've had it happen more times than I can count. My usual response is that " i forgot about the luncheon and brought my own." or I tell them, " this really isnt what I'm in the mood for to eat, I'll justeat what i brought, but thanks anyway." In my opinion it's nobodies business what is going on in your life, etc unless you want them to know.
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    I gained a lot of weight the year I worked in a cubicle-type office. People acted like they were starving to death but we were all lumps. Such a strange culture. Employers really ought to be more health conscious. Shift the attitude a bit.

    Good for you for abstaining!
  • taldie01
    taldie01 Posts: 378
    Ya happens all the time
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    it's a shame that when businesses do cater a meal that way they don't plan for something that has some choices for everyone rather than a rather limited selection of a high calorie/fat/carb/sodium meal, or nothing :(
    in this day and age, you would think that was a no-brainer plan.
  • jmw530
    jmw530 Posts: 6 Member
    I have the same issue for tomorrow. I plan on bringing my lunch in case there's nothing I can eat. At minimun I will eat salad and fruit if it's offered. I hope to stay away from the bread and cake.
  • susyseq
    susyseq Posts: 94
    Yes! I has happened to me and its horrible to try to justify yourself to everyone. In a way, I feel it is rude of people to question, it is obvious that if you don't eat the office food, you have another plans.
    I would just reply "yes I'm on a diet" and walk away, did not want to be pressured to eat and mess up my goal.
    Good luck to you! And don't take it personal, just walk away! :flowerforyou:
  • DaniJeanine
    DaniJeanine Posts: 473 Member
    Eating is *such* a personal thing--I don't understand why people care about what goes into someone else's body! You could be on a diet, but you could also have a food allergy, an intolerance, you may not like the food, you could have an upset stomach...the list goes on and on! lol. I absolutely hate when people comment on my eating habits. Be strong and forget what they say! It's not their business! :-)
  • HelenTheKitchen
    HelenTheKitchen Posts: 383
    I usually plan for a little extra working out and go ahead and eat a little bit, but more like a snack portion instead of a full on meal. However, I feel like it's everyone's business what they choose to eat and when, and I hate the idea of group gorges for the exact reason you just experienced. Why should anyone try to make you feel guilty for not partaking? I think it's because people have their own demons with food and watching you face yours makes them feel bad for not facing theirs. Stand tall!

    P.S. I hate that they never have anything healthy at these things too, and if they do it's a tiny little salad or fruit platter.
  • irishblonde2011
    irishblonde2011 Posts: 618 Member
    I think people do this because then they have to ask them selfs "well should i be eating this?"
    If everyone is eating it it is ok but when someone says no to it we think about it.
    Good on you. Do what is best for you not other people :smile:
  • That_Girl
    That_Girl Posts: 1,324 Member
    I don't know why people get all offended if you don't eat the food. Maybe they want everyone to eat so they don't feel bad for eating?

    I normally just say it doesn't look good to me. LOL Let them think I'm a snooty betch, I don't care.
  • mom2threeQTs
    mom2threeQTs Posts: 21 Member
    I just say, "I'm not feeling too hungry right now". Or "I already had lunch". If you are hungry, you can always grab some veggies or something healthy (but only a little) and then eat it really slow. No one will pay attention to *how much* you are eating.
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Try: "My stomach was feeling a little funny (they don't have to know that funny = jiggly...), so I decided to skip the luncheon food and bring a few things I know won't make it feel worse."

    I love it!
  • Tamstar1985
    Tamstar1985 Posts: 334 Member
    tell them to mind their own business. i get very snarky with food-pushers! they'll say anything to get you to eat :(

    good for you for bringing a healthy homemade lunch to eat after the catered meal was over!! that's what i would do, too.
  • jellybaby84
    jellybaby84 Posts: 583 Member
    Yeah, I hate this.

    Most of the time I think it's nobody else's business but, at the same time, if someone has gone to a lot of effort preparing, cooking and buying the food (applies more to family get togethers than offices I guess) I always feel so guilty for not eating it.

    I want to take my own food to my family's Easter gathering but I think it would be too rude.
  • Tissues
    Tissues Posts: 361 Member
    having worked in an office... er.. forever... I'm totally that person who would ask why aren't you eating? LOL. It wasn't until I started losing my initial weight that I realized people needed to stop offering me food for my sanity.

    Great job on passing it up! Will power will help you win :)

    just remember it is okay to reward yourself once in a while (note, I said reward, not over indulge..)

    keep it up!
  • DaniJeanine
    DaniJeanine Posts: 473 Member

    P.S. I hate that they never have anything healthy at these things too, and if they do it's a tiny little salad or fruit platter.

    --Right?!! Would the world implode if these functions included a decent healthy dish? lol!
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    It's not the end of the world, and it's none of their business, but it does strike me as a bit rude to refuse a catered meal everyone else is eating and take a packed lunch. Couldn't you have just eaten a small amount of it instead?
  • denacutrone
    denacutrone Posts: 63
    i will encounter this same situation tomorrow at my work. we are having a luncheon type thing and the things they are offering are things that dont fit into my eating plan so i will bring my oatmeal and yogurt and tell people that it doesnt fit into my 'lifestyle'. i could care less what they have to say about it
  • emily859
    emily859 Posts: 38
    I've encountered this situation way too many times to count. Its really frustrating. I have several "strategies" for dealing with the questions. For instance, I'll say I was starving an hour ago and already ate (I use that one the most) or that I forgot about the food being there and brought food with me from home that I don't want to throw away, or if its somewhat early, like before 11, I'll say that I'm not hungry yet. Sometimes, if there are good healthy options, I'll take a small plate and fill it up with fruit and/or vegetables, anything that won't bust the bank, just so that I have something in front of me. Now that i'm a vegan, I suppose I'll have to deal with that litany of questions next time.

    People are morbidly curious about other people who don't eat [or drink] socially at catered meals/luncheons/parties. It isn't right, because it is really no one's business but your own. I just stick to my own plan and figure they'll forget about it soon enough.
  • Newmammaluv
    Newmammaluv Posts: 379 Member
    Try: "My stomach was feeling a little funny (they don't have to know that funny = jiggly...), so I decided to skip the luncheon food and bring a few things I know won't make it feel worse."

    I am SO using this one!! It's PERFECT!
  • Cella30
    Cella30 Posts: 539 Member
    It's not the end of the world, and it's none of their business, but it does strike me as a bit rude to refuse a catered meal everyone else is eating and take a packed lunch. Couldn't you have just eaten a small amount of it instead?
    @fteale: Nothing personal, just playing devil's advocate. :wink: If I was invited to a party where they were passing a joint around, would it also be rude if I turned it down? I was invited to the party knowing there would be pot, but it's my choice what I put in my body. Food is my drug, and I'm trying to learn how to control it. It's my choice what I put into it, not someone else's. Know what I mean? :smile:


    Thank you everyone for the great suggestions!!!
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    It's not the end of the world, and it's none of their business, but it does strike me as a bit rude to refuse a catered meal everyone else is eating and take a packed lunch. Couldn't you have just eaten a small amount of it instead?

    my work catered in pizza hut and their super sodium packed cheesy creamy pasta for my last training day. I was not going to eat that crap, becaue I don't want to have to choose between blowing a day's worth of calories or being satisfied, having enough to eat. So I ate the food I had brought "just in case". Another time they had catered in Pollo Loco, and I happily ate that, and took back home my sack lunch.
  • JoFreund5757
    JoFreund5757 Posts: 2 Member
    At some point in time, you will come to the conclusion that you DO NOT care what other people think. If you are "happy" with YOU, that is all that matters. Keep up the effort and you will succeed.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories