Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

[Tamic]

The people at work try to sabotage me everytime I start with good intentions. One person actually said to me "Atkins isn't good for you" I was speechless...I guess being over weight is?

I'm starting today again...

People around me either make it difficult by what they say or the office secretary bringing food in to celebrate everything. Birthday cake where we all have to be present in the conference room, which is annoying because I don't even want to see it, smell it or see other people eating it. It's hard to stay on track with all of this. To top it off, I have to work late often along with my team and we order dinner, from an italian place or from a pizza place. It's almost like they are purposely trying to keep me overweight.

I have even tried to just eat at my desk, but my boss constantly nags me to eat with them in the lunchroom...where they can scrutinize what I eat and taunt me with what they eat.

Am I being overly sensitive? I need a plan, anybody have ideas?

[murphy'smom]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Sometimes people want other people to fail, because they have low self esteem. Atkins is not unhealthy, but your work enviroment is! LOL
Sorry you are having a tough time, just stick with it, be strong, and do what is BEST for you! Who cares what they think, you don't go home with them. If you order from a pizza place, order salad!

[Minofex1]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Tamic, let me be the first to encourage on to success. You WILL be successful. This time WILL be different!!

Those folks at your job, love them like we do but they have a chronic and sometimes terminal illness called HATERISM (hater-ism). Yes! You have to be on the lookout for those individuals because one of the symptoms of this illness is trying to bring down other people. You know, the “Crab Mentality”. When someone tries to achieve something better or even different from them, they try to pull you back down.

The problem is that they fear what you will become! They know if you are able to overcome what has been bothering you, your success potential will go through the roof! They are intimidated by your vision of success!

Ok, here is what you do. First, you must adopt an eating regimen that includes 5-6 meals per day. When you do this, you not only increase your metabolism but you can also eat at different times than your co-workers! Eating every 2-3 hours will not allow you get stuck in Hell’s Kitchen (Lunchroom) where the naysayers and envious are waiting to try to bring you down.

Secondly, if you have to eat with them, order a meal that includes the food that fits into your eating plan but instead of eating the bad stuff you can leave it on your plate. Actually, you can say that it looks like something is wrong with it. Again, this way, they will not know you are eating the Atkins’ way.

Finally, I know you are excited about your decision to join the Atkins’ family, but to be successful; you must keep you decision to yourself while at work. If you tell everyone that you are starting the program, it will attract their envy and hate like flies to . . . sugar ;~). For me, I have not even mentioned it to my family let alone co-workers because I do not want to get any well-intentioned discouragement. We have done our research and know this plan to be safe!

I hope this is not too long-winded but I am truly happy for you and want to encourage you to VICTORY! If you are not already doing so, you should be doing self-talk. That is YOU telling YOU that your goals ARE going to be accomplished no matter what! Say this to yourself, “I WON’T STOP!”, I WILL reach myGoal Weight!

Have an EXCELLENT day and enjoy your road to VICTORY! You deserve it!

-Minofex1

[kellymch2006]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Somewhere on the forum, I read something along the lines of --- I don't eat refined sugar, flour, or rice. I only eat protein and veggies. I forget how it went but she described Atkins without calling it Atkins. It just sounds so healthy!!!

Personally, everyone that knows me knows that I eat low carb/Atkins and I'll tell them to take a flying leap if they don't like it.

[kellymch2006]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Oh, the other part is that when there is a birthday cake or something like that, I'll walk up, take a look and say in a horrified voice, with a horrified look on my face,

"OH MY GOD! LOOK AT ALL THOSE CAAAAAARRRRBS!" And I'll turn and walk away shaking my head in disgust...

I know, I'm an a**.

[not2late]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Smile and thank them for their concern and continue doing what you are doing. When they shove a piece of birthday cake in your face, you can decline it politely and add "Eating that stuff is what got me fat in the first place and I want to get healthy now."

When they order from a pasta house, ask to see the menu and place an order for something you can eat--a green salad, the antipasto platter, etc. Ditto for the pizza place.

As for the uncomfortable lunch....we had a member here who used to cook bacon and eggs in her office kitchenette while the rest of the people were chewing on bagels. you might want to do the same: bring a veggie and bring whatever protein you have. REmember you aren't stuck eating sandwiches for lunch, nor are you stuck eating cold cuts. Make extra for dinner and bring that as your lunch. When you've brought enough lunches of homemade meatloaf and green beans or roast chicken and faux mashed potatoes or steak salad, they'll lay off you.

And if they taunt you with their food "Ooooooh, I brought a nice big piece of chocolate cake." or "Lookee what I brought! I have a big bag of potato chips." Smile at them and know that each bite of that cake and every potato chip will only drive their cholesterol levels up higher and put them at greater risk for a heart attack or stroke. Sounds mean, but true. In fact, you can even remind them of it if you wish.

You made the choice to be healthier. Don't let them sabotage your efforts. Afterall, it's your life and I'm sure you would rather spend your time not worrying about taking your gazillion blood pressure and cholesterol medications.

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Sometimes people want other people to fail, because they have low self esteem. Atkins is not unhealthy, but your work enviroment is! LOL
Sorry you are having a tough time, just stick with it, be strong, and do what is BEST for you! Who cares what they think, you don't go home with them. If you order from a pizza place, order salad!

Very good advice! You DON'T go home with them and they are not in charge of what you deem appropriate to put in your mouth and body. That was your parent's job when you were a little kid. Now that you are an adult, that decision is totally up to you, not them or even your parents.

If your food is Atkins friendly, it should have salad or veggies and protein cooked in a healthy manner, instead of breaded and deep fried. If you take a nice salad with some chicken, how could they say it's not healthy? Ask them to point out what part of it is unhealthy as you stare at their super-sized french fries and Big Mac and jumbo soda.

You truly can't let people with no stake in your life and health keep you from doing what you think is right for you. No need to consider their opinions at all about the food you choose to eat. Are they going to be around to take care of you when you develop diabetes or have a heart attack from being obese? No they are not.

Make a list of every person in your life, starting with you, that has a right to have an opinion about what you eat for your health, and if your co-workers or even your boss is not on that list, then let their comments roll right off. What you eat is not up for discussion. The only people that have a stake in your life and health are family members who depend on you and love you and would have to take care of you if you had a heart attack or lost a limb to diabetes. Even they have limited say in what you eat. You are in charge of you.

I just stay pleasant, but firm, when dealing with people about my chosen diet. Especially don't let them see that they are getting to you. Never resort to ordering food you don't want to eat, then leaving it on your plate, making up a lie to avoid eating it. You don't owe them anything at your job but friendliness, competence and a good day's work for a good day's pay. If your employer provides you with medical insurance, they should be glad that you don't eat cake and fast food.

Congratulations of the pounds you have lost!

Sunny!

[eclectikat]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

I believe this way of life is 90% mind power.

Before starting Atkins I had read and re read everything I could get my hands on regarding the Atkins approach. I knew the first time I comprehended the Ketosis theory that Atkins was the way I would change my life. That was over three years ago. It took me almost 2 1/2 years to get my mind around making this life altering change of course... I made my mind up in March 08 and began Induction April 29/08.

I say all that because it took me a while to get my mind around the whole change I was making in my life. NOW that I have made my mind up... nothing can sway me. Work on that. Think about all the principles you have learned about this way of life and weigh them against the nit picky behaviours of some insignificant idle chatters around you... ( some may be your friends I am sure) but the strength has to come from within...
Ask yourself why you are doing atkins... and those answers should give you the strength to push through all of their sabbotoge efforts... because that is what they are doing. Don't let them win...

Short of that... you could tell them to F^$% off! ( even if in your mind)
what ever floats your boat...

We are there for you!

Kathy

[SunnySmile501]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

In re-reading the title to your thread, another thought popped into my head. People around you can only cause you as much emotional distress as you ALLOW them to. They only have as much power over your decisions as you give them. On the other hand, if you give them the power, then it's not your fault if you go off Atkins again. It's theirs. Take back your power and be responsible for your own decisions and fate. I bet not a one of them have held you down and forced cake down your throat. If you decide to eat cake and stop your chosen eating plan, it was still your decision.

You can't expect the office secretary to stop celebrating birthdays with cake or bring in treats to eat. We all attend functions or eat with people that are eating our old favorite foods, and we have to find a way to just say, "No thank you", and go on with the life we have chosen to follow.

When you start this time, start with firm resolve, dedication and a positive attitude. That will take you farther, faster, than good intentions.

Sunny!

[misplaced southerner]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

wow sunny that is all great advice! all i can add is this.....i am not sure that most people's intentions are to sabotage us....i think it is just THEIR lifestyle and they assume it is mine too. it isn't. there is no need for me to be rude about it. i just say no thanks...I DO NOT OWE ANYONE AN EXPLANATION FOR WHAT I AM DOING OR WHY I AM DOING IT!!!!! if anyone wants to know, i will politely explain. frankly after all this time and my own success, i don't care WHAT anyone else thinks. in one ear and out the other. there are lots of ways to be polite and interact with co-workers and deal with the food issue. sometimes you just have to "think outside the box."

i simply don't debate.

[fat4now]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Hi, just my two cents. At work with a bunch of rude guys, i continue to eat my healthy lifestyle. They end up being jealous of me. I am eating shrimp, steak, chicken, cheeseburgers(no bread) olives, slaw, just for example. They wish they ate as well as i do! They won't admit it but once in a while they walk in the lunch room and say what smells so good? Personally i don't care what they think for all the above posters reasons. We eat better than most people in the world. ATKINS ROCKS!

[Adena]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

I agree you don't owe anyone an explanation, but here are a few things you can throw out that might help them stop badgering you:

1) Nicely but firmly, or even jokingly: "I don't say anything to you about consuming all those empty calories; please feel free to eat whatever you like, and let me do the same."

2) If told you are eliminating "entire food groups": "Since when is sugar and white flour a food group?"

3) All that protein isn't good for you: "My diet only consists of 35% protein."

4) "You know, most people haven't been exposed to Atkins done the right way because all they hear about are 'bacon and eggs and steaks.' My food is a little more restricted now, but I'm gradually adding more and more carbs back in. Pretty soon, the only thing I won't be able to eat is sugar and white flour -- something most doctors AND MOST DIETS -- suggest that you avoid anyway."

5) For most people who do Atkins the right way -- lots of veggies, fruits, healthy fats, whole grains -- their cholesterol actually goes DOWN.

Hope those little tidbits in your back pocket help.

Oh, and make sure you have extra food on hand to eat if you have to work late. Can you keep some in the fridge? You can ask them to order you a salad -- and eat it with whatever you've brought. Eating the topping off a pizza is also an option. Not ideal, because of the carbs in the tomato sauce, but not a bad alternative if you get in a bind.

Best of luck to you!

[studyinscarlet]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Great suggestions and advice everyone! One thing I've found is that its easier to tell people that you're on a low carb diet. Once you say "Atkins" everyone seems to have an uninformed opinion.

[Adena]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

Good point. Sometimes I just say, "I"ve cut out sugar and white flour" -- typically people seem impressed by that. Which is ironic because they are so "unimpressed" with Atkins...

[chinadoll]

Re: Do any of you have to deal w/work discouraging you?

And try not to be too hard on them. The open Atkins critics deserve to be ignored, but most of the office people just want to make sure everyone is included and you are part of the team and the social gatherings. When it comes to ordering in, they don't have your diet as their priority--that is your job. They are just thinking about what they like and what is easy for them. You will need to make sure your needs are met too.


When you do get stuck at the birthday cake stuff, stay in the back near the door and sing along with everyone else. Then wish the birthday boy/girl a happy day and excuse yourself to make a phone call, go to the ladies room--whatever. Then reappear as everyone is finishing their cake and I bet they won't know the difference.

I think we all tend to be defensive about the whole office when usually it is only one ignoramus that wants to dig you. Most people are just caught up in their own stuff and don't realize that this is a huge priority to you. So be graceful about it and don't make yourself a hermit because you can't have the cake.

Yes it is hard to stand there and see people eat all that good/horrible stuff. But If you isolate yourself that may have other effects within the office dynamics. It gets easier and easier to say NO. Besides the offices cake is probably not that great anyway. And it is never as good as feeling good about yourself.

Adena, I like the no flour,no starch, no sugar excuse. Much easier.