Dealing with people at work..

Ive printed off the nutrition fact sheets for all the local restraunts and stuck on my fridge..

That way if the time arises, i know what i can and cannot eat

You can be social and pleasant without going to lunch every day. If you want, you could offer to organize a healthy pot-luck. Maybe you can alter some of the office bad habits

I often pack a lunch and bring it along to lunch with others. (Easier in a fast food place than in a sit-down restaurant though.) Or compromise -- maybe bring a sandwich and order a cup of soup on the side.

Get the book Eat This Not That and carry it with you. Then when they decide where they are going, you can make good decisions!

I too love these books, its very helpful. But I also say, look up the facts on the places your co workers frequent, that way you can still go and eat with them and know of good choices to make. If you pack the night before as well, it encourages you to take your own lunch. Fill it with good for you yummy things and be a good example for the others, maybe you will convince a few to pick up your good habits!

I don't, actually.
Part of that is because I cycle in, and I've found few packed lunches that really survive well in my mini-backpack on London's godawful roads.

I also go out with colleagues a fair bit, and as with most journalists, there's something of drinking culture.

If my colleagues and I go out to a cafe, I'll make sure I have the healthy option, though - a plain jacket potato and salad or a plain omelette.

If we go to the pub at lunchtime, I limit myself to a pint of 4.2% real ale (lower calorie than lager - also, I have a passion for real ale).

Press events are a bit harder, as they're heavy on fried food being constantly shoved into your face, but I've become good at refusing anything that's too bad for me, and sticking to sensible drinks options (gin and slim tonic or vodka and diet coke).

I also make sure to get plenty of exercise if there's a press event - on the day before or the day after, if not on the day itself. I'm lucky in that respect, as my cycle route to work and back totals around 24k and has one of London's biggest hills slap bang in the middle of it. That means I can build some intense cardio into my normal day, but if I don't feel like cycling or running to work, I'll head to the gym and spend some time on the elliptical or something.

If people bring cake in, I don't eat if it it's just a generic Tesco traybake or Krispy Kreme donut. Even if a colleague with a gift for baking has brought something unique, I'll make sure to have a small slice and to log it - presume the calories to be higher than you think they are, to give yourself a bit of a margin to work around.

Essentially, I've found that you don't have to miss out on the social aspect at all if you plan around it and go for sensible options.

If I am going out to lunch I usually look up the restaurants website so I have an idea of what I should eat and if I don't find something I want then I skip going out to that place. I usually do take my lunch but sometimes work is so bad I have to get out of the office for a few minutes and that is when I cave into cravings or bad food.

I pack my lunch each day and choose to get to know and connect with my co-workers when it doesnt revolve around food. My co-workers are very supportive of my choices and no longer offer things that will tempt me.

I pack everyday but I still sit with my co workers who pack. Before I changed my lifestyle I would go out to lunch once a week with a few co workers. Its very tempting when some of them go out but I just tell myself it will pay off not to go lol Good luck !!

if you want to go out and eat with your work colleagues you can just make sure you choose healthy options dont be afraid to ask for things without sauces or dressing etc. its a lifestyle change you shouldnt feel deprived because you will loose motivation to keep going