Coworkers are sabatoging me

1. Nobody is forcing you to eat what they offer.
2. If you have a significant other or children at home, simply wrap the item(s) up and give it to them.
3. Bake a low-fat or sugar free item to share with your co-workers.
4. Lighten up, it's the holidays.

Just my opinion. The people at my workplace eat constantly. There is always some kind of munchie or goodie around. I occasionally bring in a vegetable tray (with fat free dip) or fruit. They will eat healthy if it is around. I found that they still offer me things but are really nice about it and don't get offended if I decline. They know I bring things home for my husband and even offer to wrap things up for him.

I have decided that I AM IN CONTROL OF MY OWN DESTINY and can not blame anyone else for what I choose to eat.
Good luck.

I have a co worker who does this. Whenever i go to work she is trying to force me to eat junk food so she feels better about eating it. It was OK when I used to do that but now I do she just constantly tries to get me to eat it, to the point of always buying me something. She often takes the mickey out of what I a, wearing to. Yes it is easy to say just don't eat it but when you have a problem with food it is not as easy to just say that. It is like tempting a recovering alcholic with a drink or a drug addict with something.

The more you resist the temptation the more you build up your tolerance to the temptation, the more you build up your tolerance the easier it get's to not give in. This was one of the most important lessons I learned while trying to lose weight. Unless they are filthy horrible people, which I am guessing they aren't since they are friends of yours, they are not doing it on purpose, like others say trying to be nice. I would accept the challenge, take it, give it to someone else or throw it out. Soon enough they will realize you're in it for the long haul and stop offering. You can resist, and remember the longer you resist the easier it becomes.

After two years of my new lifestyle, people at work know that if they offer me food unexpectedly, I will turn them down saying that I don't have unplanned food events at work. I encourage them to offer though because I tell them I get extra credit for the "turn downs". If I have enough "turn downs" during the week I give myself a special treat on Saturday (sometimes food, sometimes a other rewards). If people mention in advance that they are bringing in cake or something for a birthday, I do make an attempt to have a little something, because I have been able to plan. I have learned to be polite but firm, beyond that I don't worry about how the person offering will react.

I usually tell people that I AM ALLERGIC ( insert offending food here )
I have only told my closest friends I am dieting - people somehow unintentionally think THEY know whats best for you, your diet, etc
So to not offend anyone, the "Allergy" card almost always works.....:devil:

I have told my fellow coworkers that I'm trying to lose weight, but they keep trying to get me to eat cookies, cake, chocolate, ect. I realize it's the Christmas season, but I'm trying to be healthy an NOT gain a ton of weight during the holidays. I'm getting really frustrated! For instance, last night I told one girl thanks but no thanks to m&ms, but she put it on my desk anyway. Then another girl brought cakes and got mad when I told her I didn't want any but thanks anyway. Now I'm not a souless zombie, and I do budget for treats every day (can't live without Dove Dark Chocolate!) however, I'm tired of them pressuring me to eat junk. The kicker? Not a single one of them are as overweight as I am.


I could really use some encouragement.

The point is, whatever people "should" do, what they "are" doing is offering her food.

You cannot control the actions of others, you can only control how you react.

It has to be me!!! It is intentional, She told them she wants to lose weight and they are giving her treats!!! They are NOT being nice, nor thoughtful, nor considerate. We are supposed to be considerate of others. They are not listening, Say, thank you and toss it in front of them. Perhaps, they are all deaf.

Yes, it is intentional.

This gave me a giggle. I know we toss around phrases like are "are you deaf?" pretty lightly, but most of my co-workers actually ARE Deaf and they don't push treats on me if I say no.

To the OP - I don't think we'll ever understand other people's motivation in pushing food on you, and honestly it doesn't matter what their reason is.
What matters is how you respond. It's not easy, but you have to decide for yourself how you are going to handle this.

Saying no is obviously the best thing, but we all know that sometimes doesn't stop people. What happens next it up to you.
If you don't want to eat the chocolate they've left on your desk, give it to someone else or take a quick walk away from your desk and toss it in the bin. If their feelings get hurt by you tossing something (when you've already said no), then that's something they have to deal with.

Having treats you don't want to eat around you is always going to happen for one reason or another and I think that finding ways to deal with this is an important part of losing weight and keeping it off.

Why on earth are people responding with such negative comments. All she ask for was some encouragement. Again would you offer a diabetic a cookie because it's the holiday season. WTH...this is about her health, taking control over her life. She should have full support. Not people telling her to suck it up cause it's the holidays.

Losing weight is a life or death issue. I know some people do not get that because they think it's a vanity issue. Sampling a cookie or cake just so someone doesn't feel bad sounds stupid.

We all have the right to turn down food and asking for encouragement should be allowed. Instead people are on here implying weakness.

I guess I wasn't clear enough in my original post.

I hope you stay strong. You are doing the right thing for you by turning down the food.

Also, if they were being nice to you, they would support your effort on losing weight. I would have another conversation with your coworkers. Good luck!

Oh and they probably work out too... and have never let themselves get into a state... they're not doing anything magic, they don;t have any metabolism different to you unless they're exercising maybe slightly and only SLIGHTLY higher. And they probably know how to exercise moderation...

I dont eat the stuff. Being obese isn't a matter of weakness or sloppiness. I make no excuses for my weight or lifestyle or diet and am actively changing my lifestyle and increasing my activity level. Again this is a MOTIVATIONAL AND SUPPORT forum. I came here to get encouragement and support, and not to be torn down. I am not weak, I know how to exercise moderation. Why do you think I am changing my lifestyle.

I totally support you. It is sad that others see my post as funny or sad. So, be it. You can do it. I see you mentioned that these people didn't start offering till after you told them you were watching your diet. No, you cannot control what they do ,but try to learn from it. The next time you have a goal, tell only those you are close to.

I really do hate chucking the food away. A little of me dies. Also it tastes sooooo goood. Haha.

Try this method say go fwk yourselfs I am in this thing to change my life I will have some M&Ms when I am good and damn well ready as for you cake am not even going to tell you where to shove that stuff. No but seriously if you are working the exercise portion a treat now and then is ok just if it is that a treat... Well good luck. sister

I have told my fellow coworkers that I'm trying to lose weight, but they keep trying to get me to eat cookies, cake, chocolate, ect. I realize it's the Christmas season, but I'm trying to be healthy an NOT gain a ton of weight during the holidays. I'm getting really frustrated! For instance, last night I told one girl thanks but no thanks to m&ms, but she put it on my desk anyway. Then another girl brought cakes and got mad when I told her I didn't want any but thanks anyway. Now I'm not a souless zombie, and I do budget for treats every day (can't live without Dove Dark Chocolate!) however, I'm tired of them pressuring me to eat junk. The kicker? Not a single one of them are as overweight as I am.


I could really use some encouragement.

I'll be honest... I've found that people want YOU to eat in order to make themselves feel better about eating it. They know you are trying to lose weight and they aren't trying to sabotage you directly. They are trying to feel less guilty about consuming this stuff and if YOU eat it, well.. they feel less guilty. Twisted justification (the girl who is "dieting" ate it, so I can eat it too!), but I've found this to be how it is with people. They KNOW it isn't good for them, but they can't say no to it. If you say no, they feel guilt. If they convince you to eat it, well they feel better about eating it too.

I used to have a girl at work who would constantly buy me cookies and cream Hershey bars. I HATE white chocolate and would always politely decline them. She would tell me "It won't kill you to eat chocolate!" and I would say "Perhaps not, but if I am gonna waste 150 calories on something? it will be something I actually LIKE".

"I'll be honest... I've found that people want YOU to eat in order to make themselves feel better about eating it." I agree whole heartedly with this.

If they leave it on your desk, bin it.

At the moment we have a lot of birthdays at work, near xmas. It's not good and trying to keep away is very hard. The only person whom you need to consider at the moment is you and your goals.

The truth is that skinny people just do not understand what it is to have weight issues. I just try to remember, even if they are skinny, it does not meant that they are healthy.

No one can sabotage you without your permission. Just say "no" and walk away. Go for a walk on your breaks and at lunch.