Sunday, April 24, 2011

Avoid Office Temptations


Scenario: You got your morning work out in for the day. You had a healthy breakfast. You're feeling great at work! You walk into your office kitchen to refill your water bottle when you see a box of Dunkin Donuts, leftover meeting desserts from the Corner Bakery, or some other temptation! Suddenly, you're feeling hungry, your mouth begins to water, and your brain tells you "hey, it's free, why not?".





Does this sound like a familiar scenario to you? If so, you're not alone! A recent study from Cornell University found that candy treats from colleagues make workers pack an extra 7 pounds a year...yikes! In fact the average American worker is packing on the extra weight every year, despite the fact almost a third are on diets.



So what do we do the next time temptation greets us at work tomorrow? Here's what I do:


  • If there is a muffin/cupcake, I ask a coworker if they'll split it in half with me. If I avoid it all together, I know I'm more apt to binge later in the day.



  • I research the nutrition facts before I officially grab the free food. If its really high in calories , carbs, or fats--the temptation is quickly snapped back by reality and I realize that I don't infact what that treat.



  • I stop and ask myself "was I hungry before I saw this food", if I wasn't, I go back to my desk. If I start to feel hungry, I pull out one of my healthy snacks.


So--how do you guys fight the sweet temptations at work?

6 comments:

Nairobi Nicole said...

The first thing I do is curse my co workers out for bringing in the food. Then I move it away from me (the food desk is right by my cubicle) then I put on an angry face when people walk by me with dais muffin or whatever goodie it is! Hahahaha! Sometimes I just give in but I can honestly say that I refrain more than I give in!

www.shainainkorea.blogger.com

LifeBliss Lisa said...

I just walk away thinking that I'll come back later to get some. Inevitably, my piggy coworkers will have eaten all of the treats by the time I get back, IF I go back. Works every time!

Social Weight Loss said...

Great ideas thanks for sharing this to us :0

Weight Loss said...

Ya you are true dear a large number of people are on diet...but the question is they achieve their goal or not? A majority of people fail because they are not following any plan they just dieting and for success we need a complete weight loss plan.

MsXpat said...

This is very practical common sense advice :0) That way you're more likely to stick with it. I'm returning to work after 8 months maternity leave and I need all the help I can get to return to my physically fit and happy self. I like your blog!

Stefanie said...

Well, since my office ALWAYS has some sort of sweet dessert arount, I tell myself 'It looks good, but this isn't for you. Remember, you are eating healthier.' For example, yesterday it was donuts. Today it's a beautiful looking chocolate cake. But I know the feeling I get physically after eating all of that heavy bread with sugar - I feel like heavy bread and sugar! LOL. So, sometimes I avoid giving into temptation by thinking about how I will feel AFTER I eat the tempting food. And if there is something I just really want to indulge in (like bbq or mexican food), then I will only get a small amount b/c really it's more of the taste that I crave than anything else.