Need some tips for avoiding the office treats
Replies
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lindseymartin1 wrote: »I'm the biggest person at the practice and its become a standing joke about how much I eat
I would LOVE to show them all!
So show them... it's entirely within your control...7 -
One of my coworkers loves to bake and brings in goodies multiple times a week. I have previously asked her decrease how often she was baking and she did for a few weeks.
What is your advice for not picking up that fork? Make sure I'm not hungry? That I have enough food here to have some alternative healthy thing? Thanks!
What worked for me is not partaking of office treats. At all. It was easier by far to say "no" first off then to say "that's enough" after a couple of bites .... or 100 bites....
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When I started a new job with a law firm years ago, we had vendors who would bring in cookies, buttered popcorn, candy bars, etc. almost every day. I would get up to go to the copier and come back and there was a chocolate chip cookie on my desk. The first couple of months there, I gained ten pounds. When I realized I had to do something about it, I started taking the treats to the breakroom and putting a note on them for others to help themselves. I also let the vendors know not to bring me treats anymore please because I didn't eat them. When co-workers bring in treats though, you risk hurting people's feelings by declining, but if someone is bringing sweets every other day, it becomes a problem. I would start letting her know that you are watching what you eat, you are actively losing weight and show her in the MFP process. Everytime she brings you calories, put the treat on your desk and let her know you will eat it later after you log the calories into MFP. Then, when she is out of sight, crumble it up into a napkin and throw it in the trash. If she keeps bringing you stuff, just let her know "Oh darn that looks delicious! I wish I could fit that into my calorie plan today!" Then shrug, smile and walk away.0
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Make a conscious choice not to eat the treats. You know she will make more in the future and today's treats are not the last treats in your lifetime.
That part. At my job there is always cupcakes, bagels, cookies, donuts. I already know it is not in my plan for the day so it does not faze me. I would not have the audacity to ask someone to not bake because I cannot control myself. That is just me. If you feel you cannot resist them then stay away from it. Do not look at it if you can help it, but ultimately you have to decide if it is worth it or not to you.2 -
Thanks everyone! This is my first time posting this time around. So I guess I am the "OP" - original poster?
The baker in my office doesn't eat any of it. She's training for a figure competition! When I asked her to slow her roll (and cakes, etc.), I thought she would understand because she also has a very strict diet. Unlike me though, she is a master of self control.
I understand that I am in full control of myself and she's not forcing me. I didn't see the harm in asking her, as a friend. I guess I am looking for a cop out. "She's doing this to me!! She's torturing me!"
Things that work for me:- I find that if I have already worked out that day I am less likely to eat a treat. (I saw someone else said this, too).
- If I am even just wearing workout clothes or tennis shoes, which I can do at my office, I feel like I'm wearing my super hero costume and I'm inspired to stay strong. Maybe I should just get myself a cape!
- I have never once eaten a piece of candy from the candy dish and that rule helps me never start.
- Logging into myfitnesspal and being inspired by the amazing people. Seriously. I think this is the best thing I can do.
What doesn't work usually...having just one bite or a small piece. Then I want to eat all the things.
THANK YOU!!!
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Thanks everyone! This is my first time posting this time around. So I guess I am the "OP" - original poster?
The baker in my office doesn't eat any of it. She's training for a figure competition! When I asked her to slow her roll (and cakes, etc.), I thought she would understand because she also has a very strict diet. Unlike me though, she is a master of self control.
I understand that I am in full control of myself and she's not forcing me. I didn't see the harm in asking her, as a friend. I guess I am looking for a cop out. "She's doing this to me!! She's torturing me!"
Things that work for me:- I find that if I have already worked out that day I am less likely to eat a treat. (I saw someone else said this, too).
- If I am even just wearing workout clothes or tennis shoes, which I can do at my office, I feel like I'm wearing my super hero costume and I'm inspired to stay strong. Maybe I should just get myself a cape!
- I have never once eaten a piece of candy from the candy dish and that rule helps me never start.
- Logging into myfitnesspal and being inspired by the amazing people. Seriously. I think this is the best thing I can do.
What doesn't work usually...having just one bite or a small piece. Then I want to eat all the things.
THANK YOU!!!
Took a long time for me to figure out I have to be an abstainer & not a moderator. It's never just one bite for me, either.2 -
I keep protein bars and oatmeal at my desk0
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Exercise personal responsibility and self control by either not having any or only having a little.0
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Thanks everyone! This is my first time posting this time around. So I guess I am the "OP" - original poster?
The baker in my office doesn't eat any of it. She's training for a figure competition! When I asked her to slow her roll (and cakes, etc.), I thought she would understand because she also has a very strict diet. Unlike me though, she is a master of self control.
I understand that I am in full control of myself and she's not forcing me. I didn't see the harm in asking her, as a friend. I guess I am looking for a cop out. "She's doing this to me!! She's torturing me!"
Things that work for me:- I find that if I have already worked out that day I am less likely to eat a treat. (I saw someone else said this, too).
- If I am even just wearing workout clothes or tennis shoes, which I can do at my office, I feel like I'm wearing my super hero costume and I'm inspired to stay strong. Maybe I should just get myself a cape!
- I have never once eaten a piece of candy from the candy dish and that rule helps me never start.
- Logging into myfitnesspal and being inspired by the amazing people. Seriously. I think this is the best thing I can do.
What doesn't work usually...having just one bite or a small piece. Then I want to eat all the things.
THANK YOU!!!
What is your plan once you reach your goal weight?0 -
I would wait until an hour after lunch. If I still wanted it, I would go back and get it. Many times there would be none left.1
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If you can't fix it into you calories goal my tips are:
Bake your own healthy goodies to eat and bring.
You're less likely to want one when your full, so bring snacking foods.
I bring atleast 2-3 fruits and a fibre 1 bar to work with me so I can snack when someone brings in treats that I know won't fit in and not feel deprived.
Or just have a small piece and fit it in, if it doesn't fit do extra exercise so it does!
Cheers. 0 -
I find it hard saying no in the face of a treat as well, so i have a willpower stone. It's just a small stone i keep in my pocket, but it provides a physical and visual representation of my ability to say "no". Having something physical to latch on to makes it easier to remember what my goals are and why I'm not just eating everything.
Sometimes I will just have the treat anyway, but a smaller portion. And i am learning not to beat myself up if i do go over the calorie budget, but to use it a stepping stone on the weight loss journey instead.0 -
MarylandRose wrote: »Rosemary7391 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »People bringing food to work to share should be banned. It's never healthy. Co-workers just want to make you fat so they can look better.
Actually, I just enjoy baking, and my coworkers enjoy eating. This seems like a win win situation to both me and them! Plus they like their fancy birthday cakes. It doesn't bother me if folks say no thanks either, or take bits home, or whatever. It would seem quite selfish for one person to insist I stopped when everyone else involved enjoys it. I'd happily support someone who wanted to eat less though, I can definitely understand that, eg by baking their favorites less often, not directly offering it, trying to bring things on their days off instead etc. But I'm the only one with a serious weight problem in my office so it's mostly me declining things/taking smaller portions.
Yup, my two main stress responses are cleaning and baking. If the house is clean, I bake. But I have next to no sweet tooth, so if I don't take it in to work, it'll just get tossed, which is a waste.
I would not ever, ever, ever ask a coworker to stop bringing in food to share because it tempts me. That to me crosses so many lines of what is and isn't within my control or my right to ask, and takes away my own agency and responsibility for my body and life. When I bring in food, I take no offense if people pass, or people take it home, or take two, or take half, or whatever else. I would be offended if someone came up to me and asked me to bake less - that'd be like them telling me to do yoga less, or anything else I do on my own time for myself. They're under no obligation to eat what's in the kitchen. The other thing is that you don't know other peoples' lives and don't have the right to control your coworkers - there have been times when the catering tray someone brought in saved my day, because I'd forgotten my lunch, or we have a colleague who is currently undergoing chemo and needs to eat literally anything that appeals to her because she has no appetite, and then some folks are bulking or just don't care. That's up to them, and I don't try to control them by controlling what's on the Free Food table.
Sorry, I'm so glad I don't work at your office. If you are constantly bringing in baked goods because you don't want them, you're like a food pusher. It's like bringing in heroin every week for some people. YES, it's all our own responsibility to eat/not eat but you make it hard for people who struggle. I don't want to insult you, I don't mean I'd really hate to work with you, but maybe make things you yourself like to eat. It's kind of mean, for people who have such a hard time. Birthdays are one thing, but bringing random baked goods all the time - you don't know what you're doing to people. Maybe find a food kitchen or senior citizen's home and spread the wealth a little.
We spend so much time at work, having co-workers who surround you with sabotaging food (I don't mean deliberate sabotage) feels very similar to a spouse/family member who constantly brings home the crap you can't eat but have a hard time resisting.
I know I'll take heat for this and I DO agree that it is ultimately our own responsibility, but being surrounded by this stuff is toxic for some of us, no matter how well-meaning you are.11 -
There is a lot of 'friendly moments' happening at my work right now and mostly involving shop bought cakes and I deal with it by feeling proud of myself for not stuffing my mouth with all that fat and sugar cos in the past I would have been first in line and back for seconds! These days I'd rather save the calories for later and have toast and nut butter which I know I'll really enjoy. Sickly sweet frosting on sponge just doesn't appeal anymore.1
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when no is looking i throw them away.. i work overnight so they shouldnt be left by the time i get there anyways.. everyone is extrememly unhealthy so they arent missing out
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I work in the IT department of a university, so there is constantly temptations, typically pizza. Haha. But I take in something healthy like an orange and set it on my desk. If I'm not hungry enough to eat the orange, then there's no reason I should be eating pizza.1
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I'm a night shift nurse and people who work in hospitals are notorious for ordering out, or throwing parties for no reason. It's a challenge.
I decided a long time ago to participate on the holidays, but not on the spur of the moment "I feel like tacos, everyone bring in something tonight" plans that someone inevitably comes up with. I prelog my food for the day each morning so that helps a lot. When there are the donuts or cookies in the lounge I remind myself that if I want to eat something like that, that I need to find better quality goodies and fit them in. There's a place near here that makes and delivers fresh baked cookies up to 3AM and we don't order often but when we do, I'll get one chocolate chunk cookie once in a while (worth all the carbs/caloies). We have an office that has all kinds of candy and chips since the vending machines are not in this building. I am proud to say I've never bought any of it. If I want goodies, I bring my own and like I said, better stuff.
I don't you have to be strict all the time, but you can control what you do and don't do. And definitely not leave it in the hands of the coworkers (people I wouldn't really hang out with if I wasn't getting paid)1 -
TavistockToad wrote: »skymningen wrote: ». I have previously asked her decrease how often she was baking and she did for a few weeks.
Decide how often you want to have a treat or which of the stuff you would definitely not want to miss out on. She seemed to be understanding before, so just explain to her, that you think her stuff is delicious but that it is too much of a temptation for you as you are trying to limit your calorie intake. Ask her to only offer you something as often as you decided you would want it (like once a week, twice a month, whatever), and maybe preferably on your favorite stuff (so you would not miss out on that). She hopefully will be happy that there is some of her stuff so awesome even a weight conscious person does not want to pass on and that she can help. And she hopefully will remember to not tempt you too often.
its not up to the person baking to stop OP from eating it...
I understand what you're saying, and agree with you, but the person who responded above was trying to work out the social problem of turning people down or putting a limit on calorie rich food.
The social aspect is a minefield in offices. Sometimes a simple no thanks will offend people -- they will think you're cold and in the end you have to work with these people.
I claim health problems, which people accept, but not everybody can or wants to do that.
I actually hate all the sweets in offices and doctor offices. You go to the doctor or take a family member there and find candy all over the reception room and sweets in the treatment rooms. I don't know how the nurses work there.2 -
Remember it's ok to have a cheat day. Just pick one. Other than that all I can say ....determination and will power0
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Don't eat them if they don't fit in you daily calorie goal. It really is as simple as that.1
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TavistockToad wrote: »skymningen wrote: ». I have previously asked her decrease how often she was baking and she did for a few weeks.
Decide how often you want to have a treat or which of the stuff you would definitely not want to miss out on. She seemed to be understanding before, so just explain to her, that you think her stuff is delicious but that it is too much of a temptation for you as you are trying to limit your calorie intake. Ask her to only offer you something as often as you decided you would want it (like once a week, twice a month, whatever), and maybe preferably on your favorite stuff (so you would not miss out on that). She hopefully will be happy that there is some of her stuff so awesome even a weight conscious person does not want to pass on and that she can help. And she hopefully will remember to not tempt you too often.
its not up to the person baking to stop OP from eating it...
I understand what you're saying, and agree with you, but the person who responded above was trying to work out the social problem of turning people down or putting a limit on calorie rich food.
The social aspect is a minefield in offices. Sometimes a simple no thanks will offend people -- they will think you're cold and in the end you have to work with these people.
I claim health problems, which people accept, but not everybody can or wants to do that.
I actually hate all the sweets in offices and doctor offices. You go to the doctor or take a family member there and find candy all over the reception room and sweets in the treatment rooms. I don't know how the nurses work there.
I think the social thing requires work from both parties though. It's just as unhelpful for the baker to get offended by a "no, thanks" as it is for people to throw good food out because they can't say that.4 -
MichelleSilverleaf wrote: »Just curious why you feel you have to say no? Is it possible to budget in an occassional treat?
That's what I do. This morning I moved my prelogged afternoon snack to tomorrow and instead I had the treat.
I couldn't say no, the lady who brought it in today brought it baked it because it's her last day.0 -
MarylandRose wrote: »Rosemary7391 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »People bringing food to work to share should be banned. It's never healthy. Co-workers just want to make you fat so they can look better.
Actually, I just enjoy baking, and my coworkers enjoy eating. This seems like a win win situation to both me and them! Plus they like their fancy birthday cakes. It doesn't bother me if folks say no thanks either, or take bits home, or whatever. It would seem quite selfish for one person to insist I stopped when everyone else involved enjoys it. I'd happily support someone who wanted to eat less though, I can definitely understand that, eg by baking their favorites less often, not directly offering it, trying to bring things on their days off instead etc. But I'm the only one with a serious weight problem in my office so it's mostly me declining things/taking smaller portions.
Yup, my two main stress responses are cleaning and baking. If the house is clean, I bake. But I have next to no sweet tooth, so if I don't take it in to work, it'll just get tossed, which is a waste.
I would not ever, ever, ever ask a coworker to stop bringing in food to share because it tempts me. That to me crosses so many lines of what is and isn't within my control or my right to ask, and takes away my own agency and responsibility for my body and life. When I bring in food, I take no offense if people pass, or people take it home, or take two, or take half, or whatever else. I would be offended if someone came up to me and asked me to bake less - that'd be like them telling me to do yoga less, or anything else I do on my own time for myself. They're under no obligation to eat what's in the kitchen. The other thing is that you don't know other peoples' lives and don't have the right to control your coworkers - there have been times when the catering tray someone brought in saved my day, because I'd forgotten my lunch, or we have a colleague who is currently undergoing chemo and needs to eat literally anything that appeals to her because she has no appetite, and then some folks are bulking or just don't care. That's up to them, and I don't try to control them by controlling what's on the Free Food table.
Sorry, I'm so glad I don't work at your office. If you are constantly bringing in baked goods because you don't want them, you're like a food pusher. It's like bringing in heroin every week for some people. YES, it's all our own responsibility to eat/not eat but you make it hard for people who struggle. I don't want to insult you, I don't mean I'd really hate to work with you, but maybe make things you yourself like to eat. It's kind of mean, for people who have such a hard time. Birthdays are one thing, but bringing random baked goods all the time - you don't know what you're doing to people. Maybe find a food kitchen or senior citizen's home and spread the wealth a little.
We spend so much time at work, having co-workers who surround you with sabotaging food (I don't mean deliberate sabotage) feels very similar to a spouse/family member who constantly brings home the crap you can't eat but have a hard time resisting.
I know I'll take heat for this and I DO agree that it is ultimately our own responsibility, but being surrounded by this stuff is toxic for some of us, no matter how well-meaning you are.
No. Seriously it isn't.12 -
TavistockToad wrote: »skymningen wrote: ». I have previously asked her decrease how often she was baking and she did for a few weeks.
Decide how often you want to have a treat or which of the stuff you would definitely not want to miss out on. She seemed to be understanding before, so just explain to her, that you think her stuff is delicious but that it is too much of a temptation for you as you are trying to limit your calorie intake. Ask her to only offer you something as often as you decided you would want it (like once a week, twice a month, whatever), and maybe preferably on your favorite stuff (so you would not miss out on that). She hopefully will be happy that there is some of her stuff so awesome even a weight conscious person does not want to pass on and that she can help. And she hopefully will remember to not tempt you too often.
its not up to the person baking to stop OP from eating it...
This^
I have a co-worker who has a candy dish in her office.....filled with chocolate kisses. It's her office she can do whatever she likes.
I'm so jealous of people who can have it right in front of them and not polish it off within a day. How inthe world it's possible? Lol1 -
I don't have this problem now but have when I was not overweight. I simply did not eat them if I didn't want them. I liked the suggestion of cutting down by having a sweet every other day, instead of every day. I discovered a chocolate biscotti that I liked this week, so I had to cut out something else to eat it. It was a better option than a coffee cake with an afternoon coffee. I did this again yesterday, but it was a day when I don't work out as much and so I was hungry in the evening. For the 170 calories of that biscotto I could have had a small salad, humus and carrots, an apple, and other things that would have been more filling. I will think twice about it in the future. It was delicious but not worth it to do on a regular basis. I can eat it when I work out heavy and have extra calories to eat that day. The same thing goes for the Hershey's kisses in the lobby in my building. 4 of them are 88 calories and I can eat a cucumber or watermelon and it is more filling.
But I think if I were in the OP's situation NOW, when I'm trying to lose weight I would have to log in a notebook every time I passed up the baked goods and pay myself at the end of the month! Say, $1.00 for every time I didn't indulge. If this person brings in treats a few times a week this would add up! I'd put the money away at the end of the month and then in my next "milestone" of weight loss (next 10 or 20 lbs.) buy a new blouse or work out pants, earrings, something to reward but not food.2 -
Rosemary7391 wrote: »lindseymartin1 wrote: »This is my biggest issue. I work in a Dental Practice! Yet there is a constant supply of cakes, biscuits and chocolate. Last year we did a 'bake off' where we each picked a week to bake a cake and bring it to be judged. There are 14 members of staff so we had cake every week for 14 weeks and I kid you not I gained 10lbs. Most staff members take a small slither, I take a chunk and go back for more each day. We are about to start bake off 2017!!
Considering not even sitting in at lunch break and going for a walk instead to avoid temptation.
I'm the biggest person at the practice and its become a standing joke about how much I eat I would LOVE to show them all!
That's rough with them joking about it
Just out of interest, I calculated the calories in my favourite celebration cake recipe+decoration.... yikes. 23000 for the whole thing. Admittedly not every calorie will make it from bowl/pan/board to the actual cake, but yeah... there's a reason that one gets cut up small enough to do a little piece for everyone at church! About 40 servings. More than half the calories are the outer layers - it's cake, then a 1/4 inch of chocolate ganache, then fondant. Maybe skipping the frosting might help control the calories a bit? I don't mind folks taking that off but I'd be miffed if entire pieces went in the bin - especially at work, since we have enough people on our floor that it always goes.
I hate wasting food and do not appreciate it, even if it's not mine. To me, if you don't want the piece of cake or whatever it might be, don't take it just to toss it out when no one is looking. You can say something nice to the person offering it, and politely decline. Someone else might enjoy it, it's much better this way.4 -
Say no to her offer but say no to yourself more. I've been there, and really the most you can do is say no and try not to give into the pressure. I've had that a lot at work with people bringing snacks in (last week someone gifted a load of brownies and chocolate filled crepes, a box of miniature chocolates, all of which I love) so it can be pretty hard, I understand. Just try not to give into temptation and ask her if she makes them not to offer you any but she might feel rude by not doing so. Just politely decline and say "maybe next time".0
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I find it interesting that you felt it was okay to ask her to stop baking/bringing treats. I find that rude. She obviously has a baking hobby and is kind enough to spend her money on ingredients and her time on baking and is thoughtful enough to share. This is her way of showing kindness. I personally don't ever bake and don't ever bring goodies to work cause it's a lot of money and time I just don't want to spend on my coworkers. But if I did, I would be super upset if someone told me to stop because of their own personal issues with food.7
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It's thoughtful,when someone bakes something nice for office mates. I'll eat it if it seems special and it's worth it. It's rude when people bring a half a birthday cake left over from their kids weekend party and just want it out of their house. And kinda gross, so I won't eat it.
It's also nice, when all the delicious baked crap is confined to an area that isn't mandatory to access. I can survive without going in the break room, but I have to walk by the reception desk. Clearly, I have a hard time with this too.4 -
MarylandRose wrote: »Rosemary7391 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »People bringing food to work to share should be banned. It's never healthy. Co-workers just want to make you fat so they can look better.
Actually, I just enjoy baking, and my coworkers enjoy eating. This seems like a win win situation to both me and them! Plus they like their fancy birthday cakes. It doesn't bother me if folks say no thanks either, or take bits home, or whatever. It would seem quite selfish for one person to insist I stopped when everyone else involved enjoys it. I'd happily support someone who wanted to eat less though, I can definitely understand that, eg by baking their favorites less often, not directly offering it, trying to bring things on their days off instead etc. But I'm the only one with a serious weight problem in my office so it's mostly me declining things/taking smaller portions.
Yup, my two main stress responses are cleaning and baking. If the house is clean, I bake. But I have next to no sweet tooth, so if I don't take it in to work, it'll just get tossed, which is a waste.
I would not ever, ever, ever ask a coworker to stop bringing in food to share because it tempts me. That to me crosses so many lines of what is and isn't within my control or my right to ask, and takes away my own agency and responsibility for my body and life. When I bring in food, I take no offense if people pass, or people take it home, or take two, or take half, or whatever else. I would be offended if someone came up to me and asked me to bake less - that'd be like them telling me to do yoga less, or anything else I do on my own time for myself. They're under no obligation to eat what's in the kitchen. The other thing is that you don't know other peoples' lives and don't have the right to control your coworkers - there have been times when the catering tray someone brought in saved my day, because I'd forgotten my lunch, or we have a colleague who is currently undergoing chemo and needs to eat literally anything that appeals to her because she has no appetite, and then some folks are bulking or just don't care. That's up to them, and I don't try to control them by controlling what's on the Free Food table.
Sorry, I'm so glad I don't work at your office. If you are constantly bringing in baked goods because you don't want them, you're like a food pusher. It's like bringing in heroin every week for some people.
It's really, really, really not. No matter what food issues we all have, it is nothing like drug and alcohol addiction. To imply it is starts us down the path of not being responsible for our food choices. (Again, still.)11
This discussion has been closed.
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