Why do my coworkers make fun of me for eating "healthy"?

13

Replies

  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    People at work do that to me to. I sa..yup I like eating healthy as I can! I am not over the top about it either but they eat garbage all day long everyday so I think it stands out that I don/.t Ignore them...thats my best advice!
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    I guess if you aren't working in a meritocracy based industry, then have at it.

    I see nothing wrong with any of those.
    "You have bad breath."
    "Oh no! I have a presentation in 3 minutes. Do you have any gum?"
    - Boom, just saved a team mate from being a jackwagon in a presentation.

    "You're lazy and you're dragging everyone down."
    - That's a solid and efficient way to correct a wayward team member, while also chronicling the counseling, in order to facilitate speedier and easier firing.

    Networks are based on mutual value and contribution. Not looking out for someone in your network with little stuff like this means you aren't contributing value, and are not an investment worthy network resource.

    There's a difference between looking out for your colleague and commenting on their eating habits and motivations, lol!

    Also what, to bolded? You'd say that to someone you work with (not supervise, and even then!)?

    which circles back around to you just shouldn't be doing so..... meaning- keep your mouth shut- and if you don't- then you open yourself up to all sorts of missiles- including "if I want to look like you- I'll eat like you"

    Don't make comments- then people don't make comments back.

    I'm not at work to make friends- or coddle them- I'm here to get my job done. Fortunately for me- I love my coworkers- and we have a great working relationship- and if they have bad breath- you're damn right I say something- like dude- you're killing me- go brush.

    And yes- my boss has had conversations with us- fix your ish- or you're out. Allowing mediocrity to remain doesn't help anyone.

    Lol :) Well, if it works for you, ok.

    I disagree that telling someone they're lazy and dragging the team down (like in those words) is a good approach to management.
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    I hate to break it to everyone but when every thing you see goes right in your mouth with no thought at all...that is impulsive and weak!
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    I have a friend who is over 400 lbs and she claims she likes being big. I just don't happen to believe her.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I usually just give them a "whateves" and go about my business. I know I'm awesome and they know I'm awesome...and they all secretly want to be me anyway.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    When people are trying to justify their poor behavior, they want the whole group to comply with the “standard.” So, set your own standard and let the group have theirs. Eventually, they’ll stop asking you because it reminds them of their failings.

    So true. And this behavior starts at a young age. My wife used to teach middle school. He failing students, only once, tried making fun of students that got A's. She put an end to it right there. She asked them why they were proud of their F's.
    Unfortunately one cannot respond the same way in the work place.
    Insecure people tend to lash out at those who make their own weakness more obvious.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Are your co-workers typically *kitten*? If yes, then you're right. Probably nastiness and jealousy. I'd question why you ever socialized with them at all in that case.

    Otherwise, do your co-workers joke around with you about other things? It's just as likely to be a simple extension of their usual behaviour, no guilt or real judgement attached. Most people who aren't trying to lose weight or aren't fitness-oriented don't think that teasing someone about their food choice is any big deal. And if they brought back some for you, it's more likely because they thought you might have changed your mind and they were being generous than that they were deliberately trying to tempt you.

    Just keep it lighthearted and turn the joke back on them. Keep up your usual socialization and bring a snack, or order something light. They'll let it go when it's not a novelty anymore. And if they don't, then tell them you'd rather they not comment on your eating habits and go from there.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited March 2015
    tomatoey wrote: »
    Also what, to bolded? You'd say that to someone you work with (not supervise, and even then!)?
    Yes. I have, when I was a cook. When I was in advertising, and even now, when I'm in games. You CAN deliver it gently enough, but sometimes, it just helps everyone involved when you're straight up, like Paula.

    Not just to my direct reports, but even peers. Sometimes something just has to be said before they become the iceberg to your titanic. Granted, in games you have to be that direct because a lot of folks don't get subtlety.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    laurielima wrote: »
    I have a friend who is over 400 lbs and she claims she likes being big. I just don't happen to believe her.

    I honestly don't understand.
  • yopeeps025
    yopeeps025 Posts: 8,680 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    laurielima wrote: »
    I have a friend who is over 400 lbs and she claims she likes being big. I just don't happen to believe her.

    I honestly don't understand.

    At what point do you try and try to help a "friend."
  • Bellodesiderare
    Bellodesiderare Posts: 278 Member
    M3Kindschi wrote: »
    I hear you...one of my co-workers calls me anorexic! I even eat MORE then she does!

    I have this problem too. I'm BARELY where I should be BMI- wise.
    JoRocka wrote: »
    " I'm sorry I don't recall asking you for an opinion on my food consumption"

    "Thanks mom- I appreciate your' concern- but I've got the situation under control"

    "where did you get your MD/Nutrionialist/dietitican certification?"

    "how's your dead lift these days?"
    Oh that's right- I forgot you don't.

    points to right quad- points to left quad
    That's hercules- and that's Xena.
    They tell me what I get to eat.
    Quads of doom are never wrong.


    And if they really REALLY REALLY are annoying you- just tell them " if I want to look like you- I'll eat like you"

    and let it go- move on.

    Hercules & Xena!!! Quads of Doom!!!! Yes!!!!!!
  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    I do IF, and have had a **** of a time explaining this concept to my coworkers. They're firmly in the "breakfast is the most important meal of the day and if you don't eat it your body will slip into starvation mode and you'll DIE" camp, so they are at least 50% convinced that I have the most unhealthy eating habits possible.

    But I love my breakfasts. :'(

    I am firmly in the "breakfast is the most important meal of the day [for me] and if I don't eat it your body will slip into starvation mode and you'll DIE" camp.

    Right now it is a rotation of "Peanut Butter Oatmeal" or "Runny Eggs Over Oatmeal w/Bacon." B)
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    yopeeps025 wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    laurielima wrote: »
    I have a friend who is over 400 lbs and she claims she likes being big. I just don't happen to believe her.

    I honestly don't understand.

    At what point do you try and try to help a "friend."

    My question was more, at what point do you say, "Hey, love ya, but not going to bury ya. Peace. Call me when you drop a couple hundo."
  • _whatsherface
    _whatsherface Posts: 1,235 Member
    My favorite thing is when they try to justify what they're eating to me, like I ever said anything about what THEY are eating.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited March 2015
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    Also what, to bolded? You'd say that to someone you work with (not supervise, and even then!)?
    Yes. I have, when I was a cook. When I was in advertising, and even now, when I'm in games. You CAN deliver it gently enough, but sometimes, it just helps everyone involved when you're straight up, like Paula.

    Not just to my direct reports, but even peers. Sometimes something just has to be said before they become the iceberg to your titanic. Granted, in games you have to be that direct because a lot of folks don't get subtlety.

    Lol, this is kind of what I thought. I'm related to a couple of engineers (not software but I figure they're in the same ballpark) :# (you don't strike me as being that type, fwiw)
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    Because they are stupid and jealous and your smart choices make them question their choices.... and instead of changing what they do, they have to justify it by ridiculing you.
  • LucasEVille
    LucasEVille Posts: 567 Member
    When people are trying to justify their poor behavior, they want the whole group to comply with the “standard.” So, set your own standard and let the group have theirs. Eventually, they’ll stop asking you because it reminds them of their failings.

    This.

    My colleagues no longer ask or make comment about me not joining into the 4 sausages and bacon breakfast cob.
  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    I would just plainly tell them that the food has been upsetting your stomach and you would rather feel better with a packed lunch.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    tomatoey wrote: »
    Also what, to bolded? You'd say that to someone you work with (not supervise, and even then!)?
    Yes. I have, when I was a cook. When I was in advertising, and even now, when I'm in games. You CAN deliver it gently enough, but sometimes, it just helps everyone involved when you're straight up, like Paula.

    Not just to my direct reports, but even peers. Sometimes something just has to be said before they become the iceberg to your titanic. Granted, in games you have to be that direct because a lot of folks don't get subtlety.

    Lol, this is kind of what I thought. I'm related to a couple of engineers (not software but I figure they're in the same ballpark) :# (you don't strike me as being that type, fwiw)

    lol, no... I'm no engineer. I'm on the business and analytics side for the last 4 years, but by way of design. Design is ... different. Reminds me a lot of the people I worked with when I was a dj... lol.
  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    I started a job about 4 months ago surrounded by numerous restaurants and fast food chains. I can walk next door or go for a minute drive. Since I started this job, I noticed my coworkers impulsive behaviors.

    They go on constant food runs and routinely have a happy hour milk shake pick me up for 1/2 off at steak and shake across the street. I notice I've been giving in every food run so lately I've been saying no a lot more.

    They make fun of me for turning food down and say I am not even fat BC I am thin when it's not about that. I feel like crap when I put crap in my body.

    I don't even eat "clean" I just eat a bit healthier than the average American I would say but I just try in moderation with sweets and junk. I try to avoid having a lot of it...They make fun of me but imo they're impulsive and weak with several other addictions other than food lol one coworker is pregnant and smokes. She was a heavy smoker but now smokes 1-3 cigs a day and think it's ok.

    That sucks. Here's the thing, you don't have to justify how you eat to anybody. Just do your best and try not to let them get you down. :)
  • sweetpea03b
    sweetpea03b Posts: 1,123 Member
    They're just jealous of your awesomeness! You know what they say... people hate on what they don't understand. But you know what? Eventually they'll come around. When they go to the doc and he says they have diabetes and all these other health issues they'll come around wanting you to help them eat cleaner :) Just do you.
  • DKG28
    DKG28 Posts: 299 Member
    extra food runs are a great way to procrastinate and distract from work (mid-afternoon snack run, mid-morning coffee run, etc). Maybe they fell less guilt about it when everyone's doing it. I confess to coffee runs for no other reason than to kill another 10-15 minutes in the day. If i'm getting something for someone else, then it's a service to my fellow human being and less of an "i'm looking for an excuse to take another break" scenario. You keep on doing what you're doing. You don't need to justify their food runs.
  • 2snakeswoman
    2snakeswoman Posts: 655 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    Ask them to get you a coffee. And offer to go "on the run" for them sometime, and get yourself a coffee or a tea or a soda or a diet coke. Maybe that might help....

    I like this one. Sometimes people are uncomfortable when you isolate yourself from the group activity.
  • Braincatcher
    Braincatcher Posts: 66 Member
    I had a chef friend whose co-workers recognized him as an alcoholic and spent months trying to convince him to quit. Then, when he did, they started making fun of him by calling him "Mr. Lemonade." Why? Because they were all alcoholics too.

    If you're getting a raft of *kitten* from the people with sh*tty habits, you're probably on the right track.
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    fish wrote:
    Insecure people tend to lash out at those who make their own weakness more obvious
    That's it right there.
    Though the person who asked about how they normally treat you has a point too... is this one example among many, or is this the only thing they tease you about?
    .
    lacey wrote:
    How come you're so interested in what I eat?
    JoRocka wrote:
    "I don't recall asking you for an opinion on my food consumption"
    "I appreciate your concern, but I've got the situation under control"
    "where did you get your dietitican certification?"
    And if they really REALLY REALLY are annoying you just tell them "if I want to look like you, I'll eat like you"
    I'd only go with the nuclear option if the kinder, gentler ones don't work.
    But I like those.
    .
    OP wrote:
    I get along with them great but im just annoyed with the put down lol other than that we all cool.
    So other than them disrespecting you and making you uncomfortable, you're OK with them?
    Sort of like, "other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the theater tonight?".
    They're creating a hostile work environment. They need to stop.
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    co-workers wrote:
    "breakfast is the most important meal of the day and if you don't eat it your body will slip into starvation mode and you'll DIE"
    I don't think anyone goes quite that far, but it has been shown that eating breakfast leads to more weight loss & better weight control than not eating breakfast.
    One thing most of the people (78%) on the National Weight Control Registry do is eat breakfast.

    Here are some studies:

    "Breakfast is associated with lower body weight ... "
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24898236

    This study compared eating a small breakfast, medium lunch, and large dinner, [200, 500, 700 cal]
    with eating a large breakfast, medium lunch, and small dinner [700, 500, 200 cal].
    "The [large breakfast] group showed greater weight loss and waist circumference reduction ... fasting glucose, insulin [&] triglycerides ... decreased significantly to a greater extent in the [large breakfast] group."
    In addition, hunger was less and satiety was greater.
    Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23512957
    Full text:
    http://genetics.doctorsonly.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Jakubowicz-at-al-Obesity-2013-oby20460.pdf

    "subjects assigned to high caloric intake during breakfast lost significantly more weight than those assigned to high caloric intake during the dinner"
    Abstract: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24467926
    Full text: http://www.tradewindsports.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Nutrient-Timing-and-Obesity-2014.pdf

    "data suggest that a low-calorie Mediterranean diet with a higher amount of calories in the first part of the day could establish a greater reduction in fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity than a typical daily diet."
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24809437
  • amy8400
    amy8400 Posts: 478 Member
    edited March 2015
    Live and let live. Don't worry about your coworkers for their indiscretions (remember, you have to work with these people 8+ hours a day ;) and learn to smile and laugh off any comments they might make about your not joining in on their midday food runs. You'll all get used to each others' choices and ways in time. It's not an us vs. them thing. You're just going a different direction with your health.

    Now if they're making a 2-5 p.m. Happy Hour milkshake run...once in awhile...I might have to ask them to pick me up a small strawberry shake. A little guilty pleasure now and then doesn't hurt as long as I log it and own it!
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    MKEgal wrote: »
    fish wrote:
    Insecure people tend to lash out at those who make their own weakness more obvious
    That's it right there.
    Though the person who asked about how they normally treat you has a point too... is this one example among many, or is this the only thing they tease you about?
    .
    lacey wrote:
    How come you're so interested in what I eat?
    JoRocka wrote:
    "I don't recall asking you for an opinion on my food consumption"
    "I appreciate your concern, but I've got the situation under control"
    "where did you get your dietitican certification?"
    And if they really REALLY REALLY are annoying you just tell them "if I want to look like you, I'll eat like you"
    I'd only go with the nuclear option if the kinder, gentler ones don't work.
    But I like those.
    .
    OP wrote:
    I get along with them great but im just annoyed with the put down lol other than that we all cool.
    So other than them disrespecting you and making you uncomfortable, you're OK with them?
    Sort of like, "other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the theater tonight?".
    They're creating a hostile work environment. They need to stop.

    yes- I concur- I personally won't go straight to nuclear- but I only give one or to warning shots- then I go ham.

    none of this- you escalate- I escalate- you escalate I escalate.

    Occasionally- when the message isn't' being received- subtle escalation sometimes just draws it out- just hint hint- then knock them down with a good one.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Im surprised this is even an issue, just ignore or laugh them along. You are being different, make them feel a bit uncomfy/ guilty and so its just playground responses. People do those sorts of things. If you cant bat it off, then sort it out by being a bit more assertive. I doubt its jealousy.
  • bigblondewolf
    bigblondewolf Posts: 268 Member
    ChicagOH wrote: »
    I have been personally inconvenienced many times by the glutendairysugaregg free crowd. Super funny that you get hassled for being low maintenance and not wanting a milkshake at noon. Tell them your nutritionist put you on a very restricted diet for some unnamed rare intolerance. It seems to work for a lot of people.

    You do know that a lot of the people in the gluten free crowd that "inconvenience" you have to eat that way so they're not ill and in immense pain, right? Not everyone does it because it's a fad.
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