Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

[Adena]

Normally, I do pretty good at resisting temptation. I rarely even feel tempted. But, if I see another freakin' Harry and David's tower of treats come through at work, I'm gonna scream!! (I did eat few slices of an awesome Harry and David's pear -- mmm! -- but most of the treat boxes are not that kind.)

Normally seeing things doesn't bother me, but people put these treats out in public areas to share.... and our vendors really pull out the big guns. Lovely, decadent stuff.

So far, I've resisted. But last night (at home), I made brownies, ate one, plus a piece of cornbread and some ju-ju fruits. That's my first slip in at least a month. I'm back in control today, but am thinking that resisting those evil sweets will be even harder next week.

Am curious to hear from others who are experiencing this, and if you have any coping mechanisms to suggest. (Taking the long way around, for intance, is a good option -- except there is NO way to my office without going past this certain treat-infested area.) I could try walking around with my eyes closed....

[sallyseachange]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

This is a tough tough season for low carbers, that's for sure!
Glad you're right back on track today.
Try to always have a high fat snack to hand for when your resolution wavers. And, when it does, force yourself to think about how great you'll feel when you get through the holidays without a cheat!
A few seconds of 'satisfaction' isn't worth the days of regret that follow!
Hang in there Adena... you really can do this!

[HeidiE]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

The first year I was on Atkins ...Christmas cookies defeated my resolve..BADLY I probably ate 200 of them in two weeks give or take a cookie!!! the second year ..I was stellar ..this year I have been wobbling but..with the help of a friend who has been sharing food lists with me most every day I have actually lost weight and have developed a mantra to help me through this season of eating ...maybe this will help you or someone else with this seasonal food festival?

I say to myself as I look at the plate of cookies or whatever..

If I eat that crap ...I feel like crap ..then I will eat more crap in spite of feeling like crap ..and if I do all this crappy eating I am bound to get fat again ...that in turn makes me feel even crappier ...so then I will eat even more crap that leads me to the point where I have to detox from sugar so I am not only fat again ..and feeling like crap... but I am a grumpy detoxing crapeating fat person to be around...not good at all in my job ESPECIALLY this time of year ...sooooo what is the solution? ..do I eat this cookie and plummet straight into carbo Helll or pass it by in favor of feeling good both physically and emotionally? shall I savor the fact I wear extra small sizes ..am very sharp at work ..move around quickly instead of like a slug ..am a healther, happier person and most important that I do not want to eat furniture as a result of a sugar buzz?

now if I am still saying "fk it" and want to eat the cookie ..I wait a few more seconds and ponder the unwashed hands that have preceded me ...this time of year the idea that I would put someone else's unwashed hand germs in my mouth dissuades me from eating anything that is communal!!!!

good luck I hope this helps

[Laurenfra]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Dont let yourself be hungry. I can pass up any treat, if I am hungry forget it. Its like they call me. The other thing has been sugar free mint gum. Many here say not to chew gum and you have to count it as a sweetner but 2 days last week we had cookies in out dept where I had to stare at them for 8+ hours. There was no walking away. So I did go over my 3 sweetners but having a piece of gum or a strong mint in my mouth was a great deterent

[HarleyLady]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

i eat sugar free russell stover sugar free candies and they are just as good, if not better than real choclate.. i eat it daily... and it is awesome....

[julirama723]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Adena, they've given great advice! Like Lauren, I ALSO use gum--especially when I have to bake cookies or bread or something...the experts say that a minty taste keeps you from being hungry/craving something, and yes, it works! I figure that a 2g piece of gum is a helluva lot better than a 20g cookie!

I also do what Heidi does--I think about all the hard work I've done, and how one cookie will mean INDUCTION FLU ALL OVER AGAIN!!! That right there, the thought of an induction-induced migraine, is enough to make me say no. (I haven't had migraines since I began atkins and it's WONDERFUL to finally be free of them!)

AND one thing that I think is perfectly fine to do is to let yourself have a treat every now and then--a LEGAL treat! I made cookies last Sunday for friends, and thought, you know what, I'm going to make cookies for me. So I made those peanut butter cookies (but I only used 1/2c. splenda--they were awesome that way!) and I could eat a couple of them, guilt free. AND since I found peanut butter that doesn't give me cravings, it was great--besides I've been battling to get my daily carbs up, and those cookies really helped! If you don't like cookies, check out that fudge,cookies,cakes thread started by sherice...Heidi has posted KILLER recipes for truffles, marshmallows, pb cups, etc. Make something legal for yourself! ALSO, if people see you eating "sweets" they'll be less likely to force theirs upon you...fight fire with fire!

[Kerith]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

I'm thinking it is the "holiday themed" wrappers. I don't know why, but I can resist a regular hershey's krackel bar... but if you put snowflakes on the wrapper I am a gonner. My office goes crazy with treats at this time of year, too. It is ALWAYS a challenge, and I wish you the best of luck!

[not2late]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Am curious to hear from others who are experiencing this, and if you have any coping mechanisms to suggest. (Taking the long way around, for intance, is a good option -- except there is NO way to my office without going past this certain treat-infested area.) I could try walking around with my eyes closed....

I look at my fat clothes and the few pictures I have of the morbidly obese, pre-Atkins me. I don't want to be that way ever again....ever.

[SugarFreeSheila]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Bring your own low-carb versions to work, honey! Who knows, you might get someone else there into them, too.

[Stella]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

I know this is strange and I bet you all will laugh but I just allow myself to smell them!! (Fresh baked cookies- ours are still in a wrap but you can smell them anyway!!) To me it is delicious but Carb free! I have no idea how this has worked for me but it does. Well, it also helps that no one in my office is eating them either! We are all on a diet of some sort. We have a whole pile in the back room that I avoid. LOL!!! I am also just beginning this WOE so my resolve is very strong. I feel better than I have in YEARS! I will not go back to feeling like crap and wanting to nap at 2:00 in the afternoon. A few treats are not worth all of the hard work and time I have invested in learning about Atkins.

P.S. It helps that I always have on hand at home a legal sweet treat. Last night I made this: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ead.php?t=4290
It is AWESOME, and just 1/2 a piece should kill a sweet tooth quick!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

[dreamof145]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

My best defense is to reach in my purse and take out a before photo of myself. That stops me dead in my tracks. I never want to go back that fat again. I also keep 'snack baggies' in my purse so that if I feel deprived, I grab my own low-carb treats and feed my urge.

[Waterbabe_Helena]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Dear HEidi

I have printed this out and taped it to my office wall.

Thanks
Helena

The first year I was on Atkins ...Christmas cookies defeated my resolve..BADLY I probably ate 200 of them in two weeks give or take a cookie!!! the second year ..I was stellar ..this year I have been wobbling but..with the help of a friend who has been sharing food lists with me most every day I have actually lost weight and have developed a mantra to help me through this season of eating ...maybe this will help you or someone else with this seasonal food festival?

I say to myself as I look at the plate of cookies or whatever..

If I eat that crap ...I feel like crap ..then I will eat more crap in spite of feeling like crap ..and if I do all this crappy eating I am bound to get fat again ...that in turn makes me feel even crappier ...so then I will eat even more crap that leads me to the point where I have to detox from sugar so I am not only fat again ..and feeling like crap... but I am a grumpy detoxing crapeating fat person to be around...not good at all in my job ESPECIALLY this time of year ...sooooo what is the solution? ..do I eat this cookie and plummet straight into carbo Helll or pass it by in favor of feeling good both physically and emotionally? shall I savor the fact I wear extra small sizes ..am very sharp at work ..move around quickly instead of like a slug ..am a healther, happier person and most important that I do not want to eat furniture as a result of a sugar buzz?

now if I am still saying "fk it" and want to eat the cookie ..I wait a few more seconds and ponder the unwashed hands that have preceded me ...this time of year the idea that I would put someone else's unwashed hand germs in my mouth dissuades me from eating anything that is communal!!!!

good luck I hope this helps

[Adena]

Re: Holiday sweets everywhere I turn at work!

Great ideas, guys. Today, I just left work early and went shopping. That's one way to avoid temptation.

Stella, I don't think you are crazy about smelling them... I like to smell stuff, too... and it does give me some sense of satisfaction.

I know that nothing tastes as good as THIS feels... I'm just surprised by the temptation. I spend a lot of time telling people that I truly am not tempted most of the time, don't really have a hard time passing up sweets. I guess I've just been taking a little aback by the seductive power of Christmas goodies. Kerith, I think you have a point about those darn festive wrappings!

DH is a teacher, and today he brought home still more goodies. A cake that is SO moist (I know, because I cut him a piece) and smells soooo good. And I'm sure he'll bring home loads more crap on Wednesday, the last day of school. I could ask him not to, but I don't want to deprive him or the kids. Yes, I know... it's not good for them either...

Anyway, thanks again for the good discussion guys. Think un-sugary thoughts, think un-sugary thoughts...