Co-worker bringing me food all the time:

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Co-worker bringing me food all the time:
8
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 1:13am
OK, I need advice. I have a co-worker who is very motherly and often brings me food to work. She only works twice/week, so it's not like it's all the time, but I'm really trying to be strict w/myself. I try to eat soup or a Weight Watchers frozen lunch, or yoghurt w/fruit, etc. I'm trying to stay under a certain number of calories/day. She knows I am very weight conscious and that I exercise and watch what I eat, but she'll bring me high-fat foods like tuna salad w/lots of mayo. I feel bad not eating what she brings, b/c I know her intentions are good, (plus she is a great cook!) but then I'm mad at myself all day for eating the calories/fat. Today, I sort of went on and on about how much weight I still need to lose, but I don't think she got the hint. She often tries to lose weight, as well, but doesn't really stick to it. How can I get her to stop bringing me food to work without hurting her feelings?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 08-13-2004 - 11:27am

I've got "frenemies" like that too.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 08-14-2004 - 10:47pm
Frenemies...I like that word! I think the throw it away thing is the best. Unfortunately, we are together in a pretty small space, so it may be a challenge. I DID see that chocolate cake episode...I'll make sure I don't have any Lysol at work.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 08-16-2004 - 8:34am

I think Miranda's suggestion was great, and she worded it so well too ("I really appreciate all the wonderful food you are bringing, but I have to be really strict right now so I can lost these last few pounds, and I simply can't resist your cooking!!)- I especially like the 'can't resist your cooking'....


How often does she bring you these treats? Perhaps you could ask her to limit the number of them to maybe once a week or something.


Good luck fending off the treat fairy ;-)

~-~ Moderation is Key ~-~

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 12:22am
Miranda has the manners of the most proper Southern Belle...Miranda, are you sure you're not from the South? ;o) She only works twice/week, so it's not like it's every day, but I am still trying to be strict every day. I'll keep you guys posted.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 11:16am

That is too funny!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 2:53pm

What great ideas Miranda.


SOmeone else had told me once that if I was afraid of pigging out on something, then I should do something to sabotage the food, like spill water on it. But Lyesol?

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Fear

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2004
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 5:57pm
I've done the throw away thing. Trying to explain why you can not eat, just brings on unnecessary questions, trust me.

I used to work with these women, who were very obese, and they would just get on my case about how I brought my lunch, and how healthy I ate. It was weird. It was like, me being non obese, prompted me to be some type of target.

They would always bring me food, and I would always turn it down. If i was not at my desk, they would cut me a huge piece of cake, and leave it there when I was not looking. ( I would just throw it away)

Really, had I just taken the food, and thrown it away in the first place, I would not prompted the sabotaging efforts. Beleieve it or not, healthy slender people are in the minority, and you being healthy, is threatening to other people. Pathetic, I know. A weird type of jealousy, guilt thing.

I have the same issue at family gatherings. My mother in law, is always bringing us pounds of cookies, and pies, and on and on. She gets offended when we do not eat it. I will eat one cookie in front of her, then dump the rest. I do not allow junk food in my house. Always leads to failure.

Good luck, and I hear ya. At least you have support here.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 10:55am
Thanks everyone! This last week went smoothly. I only worked with her one day, and she did not bring anything, so maybe she got the hint.