I share a desk at work with all the office "treats". I can't stop myself!

Jaysus_The_Jay
Jaysus_The_Jay Posts: 19 Member
edited November 10 in Motivation and Support
How do people avert their gaze from cookies, cakes, doughnuts and chocolate that gets brought out weekly from other people in the office?

There is, and always will be, a dedicated place for the treats, and I just so happen to be staring at them all day!
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Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Is there any other place where the treats can be kept? Do they have to be on your desk?
  • Jaysus_The_Jay
    Jaysus_The_Jay Posts: 19 Member
    Not really, I've got a nice big empty space next to me and every other one is filled

    It was the treat spot before me, and it'll be the treat spot after me.

    It's not the location that really bothers me though, it's my own lack of self control
  • joolsmd
    joolsmd Posts: 375 Member
    edited January 2015
    Either move the treats, or ask people to bring in healthy treats.

    I'm lucky, I can't see our treats from where I sit. :smiley:
  • namelesshere
    namelesshere Posts: 334 Member
    Just remember, people spit on them before bringing them to work. YuKKK
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    I recently moved office rooms, and the people in the new room are constantly bringing in treats. I don't know if there's been a day yet that there hasn't been something sitting on the table as soon as you walk in. I just don't take any. Easy peasy.
  • allanakern
    allanakern Posts: 245 Member
    the more you practice your willpower the less taste you'll have for the treats. I know it can be hard but I've gotten good at it. meal planning and bringing all your own yummy food helps too
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    That is tough having that temptation right by you. I don't know how I would cope. I avoid junk at home by not buying it, you don't have that option.

    It is even worse being a guy. Men are visually stimulated so just seeing that stuff would be torture.

    The only suggestion I would have is to keep carrot sticks or something like that handy. Maybe Dum Dum suckers would give you something sweet and something to hold in your mouth. Dum Dums are only 25 calories each with no fat and they only use cane or beet sugars.
  • Huppdiwupp
    Huppdiwupp Posts: 50 Member
    Why don't you mention that you're uncomfortable sitting next to all the sweets? I find that the same people who frequently bring in treats to share are the ones who then go on talking about their diets... nothing wrong with treats for special occasions, but treats should be exactly that, not something to have around all the time. I am sure if you can muster the courage to let people know you're uncomfortable with it, there will be a solution.
  • Bloodtech
    Bloodtech Posts: 1 Member
    I go through the same thing here :( I can litterally smell chocolate. I like namelesshere suggestion rembering someone spitting on them before bringing them in. I'll have to try that.
  • TenderMoon
    TenderMoon Posts: 29 Member
    You just learn to ignore treats and after awhile it becomes second nature. My mantra is..."you can't have it both ways." Once you decide that maintaining a healthy weight is more important than a few minutes of gustatory pleasure it becomes very simple.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Out of sight out of mind! I just wouldn't want them near my desk at all :neutral_face: I'd want them moved somewhere else, just too much temptation when a fit of the munchies would strike.
  • sherbear702
    sherbear702 Posts: 650 Member
    Just avert your gaze!
  • FitGeekery
    FitGeekery Posts: 336 Member
    Would it make it easier for you if you brought your own healthy snacks and treats to work?

    Then while other people grab for a donut, you can grab for a piece of dark chocolate. Or there's chips and you can make your own sweet potato chips and hummus. Stuff that'll fit the salty/sweet/whichever cravings but will fit better with your new outlook. Maybe?
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    Have a treat IIFYM, if not then you just have to flex your willpower!
  • klkarlen
    klkarlen Posts: 4,366 Member
    I work in a "food friendly" office also, and the treat table is about 12 feet from my desk. I've learned willpower. . . by looking up the calories first, and deciding they are not worth it. And if they are worth it, I log it and make it fit.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    JayUnsworth wrote: »
    How do people avert their gaze from cookies, cakes, doughnuts and chocolate that gets brought out weekly from other people in the office?

    There is, and always will be, a dedicated place for the treats, and I just so happen to be staring at them all day!

    What would happen if you absolutely covered the table in fruits and vegetables so there wasn't room for cake? Wouldn't it be awesome to see the cake bringer's face?

    I think you just have to get yourself used to allowing yourself a small portion, keeping busy and bringing healthy snacks for yourself (or to share).
  • CJisinShape
    CJisinShape Posts: 1,404 Member
    Keep yourself full. I just had a huge lunch. Veggies, chicken, brown rice, banana, green tea, grapefruit juice. If someone had cake right now, I'd only be able to manage a tiny sliver and that would be pushing it.

    How can you keep yourself full between meals? Lentil soup in a thermos on your desk, or a jug of water, or a container of hummus, etc.
  • cleo159
    cleo159 Posts: 7 Member
    I have this exact same problem. What's worse is that everyone that comes in for a treat wants to talk to me about the treat -- it's a distraction from my work, but also a distraction from my diet. Here's what I do:

    1. Keep the food wrapped up as much as possible so you don't have to smell it, and move any trash can where people throw their plates & napkins away from you, consider getting an air freshener.

    3. Eat an orange or a clementine -- it will satisfy the craving for sweets, kill the smell wafting from the cakes for a while, and also make you kind of not want to eat something too rich

    3. Wear headphones while working so people don't interrupt you to tell you how good the food is and how this is ruining their diet, etc, etc.

    4. Bring in and leave healthy snacks (like fruit or hard pretzels) and leave on the communal table, let people know you're trying to eat healthier -- sometimes you can get the treat-bringers to bring in healthy stuff, too, or at least move their stuff to the coffee room or whatever.

    5. If you break down and have something, don't beat yourself up about it. It's okay to have a treat, and when the brownie or whatever is just singing for you, you're better off just eating it and moving on with your day, rather than obsessing on it and not being able to focus. You are not what you eat.
  • Want2bthin135
    Want2bthin135 Posts: 30 Member
    Can you put up a barrier so you can't see the snacks? I'm thinking maybe a piece of cardboard folded so it will "stand up".
  • VanillaGorillaUK
    VanillaGorillaUK Posts: 342 Member
    You just don't.

    I know that sounds immature and unrealistic, but it is the answer :) It's not willpower really, it's just a different focus that stops you from doing it.
  • Trixter93
    Trixter93 Posts: 2 Member
    I'd suggest a visual barrier. Find something that can block your view of the treats- a plant, a coat rack, anything. Your setup will determine how large it will need to be.
    Also think about changing your orientation. Can your computer, or primary work focus be shifted so that your field of vision is different.
    Remember, staying on track is either about finding a motivation thats is more important to you than the temptation, or finding ways to remove temptations.
  • jadumz
    jadumz Posts: 80 Member
    Make a stupid sign next to them saying you're banned from the goodies so EVERYONE knows. I told the people at work I'm on a health kick and I think I've started imagining them judging my food choices haha
  • Jaysus_The_Jay
    Jaysus_The_Jay Posts: 19 Member
    Good suggestions!

    Don't get me wrong, my diary and weight loss shows I'm perfectly fine at managing it all, I just can't stop the temptation.

    Plant is a cracking idea, and what the heckings are Dum Dums! Sounds American...
  • naturesfempower
    naturesfempower Posts: 107 Member
    I went to a meeting today and a huge tub of mini candy bars was put on the desk right where I was sitting. I didn't eat a single piece. I was very proud of myself.
  • Will_Run_for_Food
    Will_Run_for_Food Posts: 561 Member
    Put something else in their place so they have to move them to another spot :) Do you have to pay for the treats? Don't bring cash! Or like another poster said, exercise that willpower muscle - avoid them and soon you won't even miss them.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    Make sure they're out of your line of site. When our office goes to lunch, particularly if it's to a restaurant that serves bread before the meal, I'll tease and put up my hand like a "blinder" and say, "MUST TURN A BLIND EYE..." and repeat that until someone moves the bread. I'll purposely avoid going into our kitchen because people bring stuff in - and it sounds like that isn't possible.

    Try to find a new home for them on another side of a wall or other place that's not so visible to you or that you have to sit and stare at it all day.
  • DirrtyH
    DirrtyH Posts: 664 Member
    I've found that when things aren't forbidden, they start to lose their power. Maybe if you allow yourself one a week, and then you can decide, "Am I dying for it right now, or do I want to save it for later just in case?" Knowing you can have it, you just have to choose when, might make it a little less tempting.

    I used to think every time I said no to cake at work, I should automatically lose a pound. It's only fair.
  • leyla87
    leyla87 Posts: 18 Member
    I have this problem too. They're usually within arms reach. I like to think "I can have one anytime but I'm choosing not to right now". Usually after a few hours everyone else has eaten them.
  • oORosadaOo
    oORosadaOo Posts: 97 Member
    My colleague on my left keeps eating burgers, fries and cookies at his desk and is constantly offering me something. Every time I say no I feel very strong because I managed to keep my eye on the prize! What's more important, the distraction in form of candy or the long-term goal...?
  • noexcusesjustresults2014
    noexcusesjustresults2014 Posts: 212 Member
    jadumz wrote: »
    Make a stupid sign next to them saying you're banned from the goodies so EVERYONE knows. I told the people at work I'm on a health kick and I think I've started imagining them judging my food choices haha

    I hate this idea in a professional environment. It implies he lacks self discipline and needs the help of others to supervise his eating habits.

    Instead I suggest you just consume whatever treats you want and fit them into your macro targets or just be responsible enough to limit your intake.
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