I'm suffering from peer pressure at work?

Question:

and I'm 48 years old!! I lost weight about 3 years ago and can proudly say that I've been maintaining it well so far. I am at a new job. It seems like every other day they celebrate someone's birthday with cake/ice cream and all. I am NOT eating like that during the week and the people are like "oh.come on.it's okay - one piece of cake won't hurt you" but it's NOT one piece of cake and I'm almost made to feel guilty for not eating cake with all of them. One guy I work with says he gained all his weight back and that I'm "lucky" that I was able to keep it off, but he eats giant sweet rolls in the morning, a Healthy Choice at lunch and junk in the afternoon (high fat/high cal.). They don't understand. How can I make them understand in a nice way to stop pressuring me into eating? I don't need that. I'm trying to be nice and not sound snobbish or anything.

Answers:
Fist off congrats on losing weight and keeping it off.
Tell them Thank You that you would LOVE a piece of cake and can you take it home for dessert. " this will go absolutely wonderful with my roast duck darling"
Take a piece and wrap it up ..toss it on the way home . You never know by tossing one peice of cake out you may be helping one more person lose weight.

If that doesnt work try the allergie route .egg allergies usually do it . Most cakes are made with eggs. as for the ice cream you could always say you are lactose intolerant. Just dont let them catch you eating yoghurt for lunch.

You could also just be stearn "It took me X amount of time to get this body and im keeping it thank you very much" OR
Tell then your health is very important to you and you dont want to spoil your beautiful HEALTHY lunch or dinner with cake.

Good Luck

Other Answers:
Just be honest.
Let them know that you like to watch what you eat.
Most people will get it after a couple times. Dont let any one influence you to eat when you dont want to.
Dont worry if they think you are snob.if you are.at least be a thin snob

Just explain to them that you worked hard to get that weight off, and you will need some help keeping it off. Just ask them nicely to not try to pursuade you to keep eating un healthily When they say one piece won't hurt you, ask them if one drink would hurt an alcoholic? Just tell them that you don't eat those things anymore because you want to keep the weight off. Some will understand others NEVER will.

People are threatened when they are doing something they shouldn't and there is someone there doing the right thing. Like when your at a bar or social gathering and someone isn't drinking people will use the same peer pressure type of methods that you are experiencing at your office. Don't get flustered, just keep saying "no thanks" with a smile on your face and eventually people will get the message. Or maybe offer to bring in something more healthy for a birthday (banana muffins, fruit and yogurt.) for people that want it, as well as cupcakes. The birthday person can have the cake with the candle, but everyone else can eat smart if they choose. Even better, buy a Splenda cookbook and find some great, low fat/cal/carb desserts. people don't know the difference! Good luck :-)

You could try bringing in some fruit or other healthy options for the celebrations and eating and sharing that snack. A woman that I work with is on Weight Watchers and she brings in strawberries. They are delicious and fit into her diet.

Another option would be to take the piece of cake, hold it and be social. Maybe eat a bite or two. Then, when no one is looking, throw the cake away. It's wasteful, but a good way to not make a big fuss.

More Questions and Answers

The consumer health information on youqa.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.

I'm suffering from peer pressure at work?

Health Resources