Don't do this to me!

Try, "I don't eat sugar." KInd of hard to argue with that. Can't accuse you of being anorexic or worry about restricting your calories.

If your BMI is in the overweight category then tell them that. That should be a good enough reason.

Weight loss is a personal thing though and it can be hard to convince others of your reasons, especially because sometimes people feel like agreeing that you need to lose weight is the equivalent to calling someone fat.

You could always try using lines like you're gluten intolerant, or lactose intolerant or something, or your doctor has told you that you need to stop eating so much of the food you want to avoid. Something that can't be argued with but is still legitimate.

Try, "I don't eat sugar." KInd of hard to argue with that. Can't accuse you of being anorexic or worry about restricting your calories.

I have used that one too

just tell folks you're trying to eat healthy. the WHY is none of their business.

I'm in a small town and people get comfortable with who you are. when my weight loss became noticeable some people got really uncomfortable. they want everyone to stay the same. I've had to gently tell them to buzz off numerous times.

it's between you and your doctor and no one else's business. full stop.

What a hassle.

Maybe don't bother to tell them the why you're not indulging. Maybe just a very firm, "No, thank you."

And if they push, maybe "Thank you for the offer, but I don't feel like eating something sweet (or salty or whatever) right now."

AND if they still push, perhaps pulling them aside one by one and saying, "I'm really trying to eat more healthfully, and I I feel pressured to eat the treats when you keep asking me. I'd really appreciate it if you didn't SABOTAGE MY HARD WORK." And the smile brightly.

I'm not trying to make light of this, I know it can really be a problem. My mother was the biggest offender of this in my life. And it's really tough. Sometimes explaining it helps.

*applauds this excellent answer*

This is SO common in office environments - I feel like I could have written this post myself 20 years ago. You sound like a nice person but a people pleaser (as I was bred to be). Who cares if they think you are anorexic if you know you're not? You just need to think of things in advance that are "you" and still polite *before* you get trapped in there with the mother hens. If you are feeling weak or forget what to say, take what is there on a napkin, be so busy you need to go to your desk to work, and dump it in a trash can on the way. You aren't going to be "wearing" it and neither are they: public service! I like to say "Waste it OR Waist it" - you may feel wasteful (there are starving children!) but the alternative is to wear those extra calories around your waist. Other things you might say are thanks, you've already had one; thanks, trying to stay ahead of the game and avoid dieting when I get older; allergic to chocolate; or plain and simple, thanks, I'll pass and when they lay on the guilt "Marsha, that is SO sweet of you to worry about me - you are such a good lady". Then YOU have to take a pass on the guilt. They don't know you, your exercise habits, your metabolism, or what you've already eaten. They probably still haven't learned themselves that their body is a machine to be fueled, not a public dumping ground that gathers in anything in its reach. I learned to please people with a clean plate and with second helpings. Food equals love in my family. It has taken me 20 years to begin to realize this and stop trying to make people happy with my eating habits. Wait until you lose those 20 pounds; then you will be "too skinny"; how much more are you going to lose; do you think you've gone too far? People are very intrusive if you allow them. A big smile, a gentle word with a firm tone, and a quick exit are your best tools until you can figure out where your worries come from. Good for you noticing this unhealthy pattern now and thinking of ways to combat it. Can you avoid the break room?

Oh, and I almost forgot my favorite way to get people to back off...

"Oh, thank you, but no, I can't. I've been having this incredible gas and diarrhea lately and things like that really seem to set it off."

Works *every* time.

MochaMix, loved your earlier response but this one takes the cake (no pun intended)!!

I have this problem, too. I am 21, and pretty fit, but that's because I work very hard at eating right and working out! All my coworkers (5 people besides myself) order from the same restaurant on Wednesdays and we have lunch together, and EVERY week they are worried/shocked/almost offened when I don't want to order some carb-y sub roll with salty deli meat and cheese! So I pack my own lunch and my own snacks every single day. It has helped cut back on their questions, because it's not like I'm NOT eating-- I'm just eating my own food! I suggest you do this too, because it really works; and if you're in the break room surrounded by sweets, have a baggie of almonds or a piece of fruit in your hand, ready to have a defense against the older crowd's pressure!

Good luck!

I'm 18 and when I started high school I gained about 20 pounds. I'm not "huge" but I would like to get back into shape. I work in an office as part of an internship. I am the youngest person who works there, most of the other people are 50+. In the break room there is always brownies or cupcakes or some other yummy dessert. Sometimes I treat myself if I have been "good" that day but I generally avoid them.

When one of the ladies asks why I'm not having any, I tell them I'm trying to watch my weight. They immediately go into "mother hen" mode and tell me I shouldn't starve myself and that i'm too young to restrict my calorie intake, or that i don't "need" to diet and they send me on a guilt trip. They pressure me into eating some of whatever is brought in.

This happens on a regular basis. Part of me wants to give in because I don't want them to think I'm anorexic or that I have self esteem problems. I try to stand my ground but I end up feeling awful after they belittle my efforts. It makes me so uncomfortable! What can I say that will show them I mean business without being rude??????

Don't go to the break room. Heck when I was working full time I always tried to get away from work on lunch break or at least away from the building during break.