My office is trying to kill me! (Or at least keep me fat)

Posted: March 21, 2012

I don't know about you, but for me one of the worst places for healthy eating is often the office:  the exact place where one SITS for literally 8 hours a day.  I guess it's often called a "perk"... free candy, free soda, free unhealthy snacks.  But it really is a disservice.  They're trying to kill me (or at least keep me fat!).   Do you SEEEEEEEEEE this pile of Twix bars and Kit-Kats that I must walk by multiple times a day  ------------------->     I have willpower, and haven't had any candy.  But, it's hard... really hard... to keep making the right choice day after day after day.  I <3 Twix!  Why must they torture me?!? 

Because people like crap.

Obviously.  If people didn't like all these perks and the sodas sat around and the candy didn't get eaten, I'm sure the company would stop buying it.  But people like eating convenient sugar-y stuff regardless of its toll on their health (and waistline!).

And leftover office birthday party German Chocolate Cake:  (We've been sitting for 6 hours, let's celebrate with a giant piece of chocolate cake!  YAY for calories!! YAY for fat!!) - lots of sarcasm.

And a stocked soda fridge, with one lonely salt-filled V8 (try my Homemade V8!!):

So now you see what temptations I deal with on a daily basis. 

Here's what I do to try to combat it all:

  • Drink lots of water and hot tea.  I usually will drink one unsweeteend iced tea or a Vitamin Water Zero (no artificial flavors/sweeteners) once a day.
  • Pack my own snacks. I'll bring in my own snacks to the office.  Veggies with hummus, cheese & a couple crackers, nuts, greek yogurt, etc.
  • Remind myself often of my goals.  Even if it's hourly... just reminding myself what I'm doing and why helps curb any temptations.
  • Leave my desk at least once every hour.  To refill my water, visit a coworker down the hall, or go to the restroom (Lord knows I go a lot with all that water drinking!!).. just being active that little bit helps.
  • Share my excitement about a healthy lifestyle with others.  Who knows, maybe one of these days none of my co-workers will enjoy candy, soda, and cake!  (OK, not likely, but a girl can dream).

Oh, and for lunch yesterday I had leftover Citrus Kale Salad and leftover Italian Polenta.  It was delicious... and the craziest part to me was that the salad was not wilty at all.  3 days later and it's still perfectly firm and crispy and yummy!  No lettuce or spinach can do that!  That makes this salad even MORE of a winner in my book!!

Do you find you struggle with "office snacks/perks" as well? What are you tempted by?

How do you combat them?

Have you tried the Citrus Kale Salad yet??  No?  WHY NOT?!?!???

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Comments

Submitted by Christine - March 21, 2012 - 10:01am

I completely agree! I hate the fact that I sit for 8 hours a day, and have to avoid the Girl Scout cookies that are currently stocked in our break room. Somehow I resist most of the temptation, but it is so hard! Love your blog! Just found it recently and already following :) I will definitely have to try Kale as a salad alternative soon - I hate wilty salads.

Submitted by kelly - March 21, 2012 - 10:12pm

Let me know what you think about the Kale salad :) I do think lemon juice helps "cut" the somewhat harsh taste.

Submitted by Gwen - March 21, 2012 - 10:46am

Good for you! Keep it up are can rejoice in a healthy lifestyle and you are encouraging us who follow you to stay strong a well! I'm a stay home mom so I don't share your struggle with office temptation. I simply don't why those foods, I do how ever keep a small bad of dark chocolate morsels that I allow myself five of them a day usually after dinner. After all they are heart healthy right? Keep up the good work! How's running going?

Submitted by kelly - March 21, 2012 - 10:14pm

I started week 2 of the running program today (switched to Wed/Fri/Sun b/c it works better with my schedule). This week is intervals of running for 90 seconds followed by brisk walking for 2 minutes. Then repeat for ~25 minutes. Glad you're enjoying the blog! Thanks for reading :)

Submitted by Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning - March 21, 2012 - 11:24am

Ahhhhh! This is like, my biggest pet peeve at my job and I've been fighting it (to no avail) for YEARS. It drives me CRAZY! To be completely honest- the majority of the teachers at my work are overweight and out of shape (and they were NOT that way when they started teaching). And really, I think it's really easy to eat healthy in my job because you have to pack your food every day. BUT, there is nothing but junk food at all faculty meetings, and I sit back in disgust watching people stuff their faces with sugary crap. The PTA also provides dinner and lunches on conference days, which are usually pizza or fried chicken. Sometimes there's a fruit or veggie tray. I am actually not tempted in the least by any type of junk food at work. It's when I get home- to my pantry and fridge stocked with tons of healthy food that makes me feel good that I have to practice portion control (because if you over-do it with anything- no matter how healthy- that ain't good). Like if I have a box of healthy cereal? It's really easy for me to eat bowl after bowl...
Can you tell I'm frustrated? I just do my part and try to present healthy initiatives, and that's all I can do. :)

Submitted by kelly - March 21, 2012 - 10:16pm

I hear ya on not eating too much of the HEALTHY foods either. As you'll see by my weigh-in tomorrow (oops!!). For me it's been all about adding more veggies & veggie juices and eating smaller portions. I'm sure EVENTUALLY the running will help too, but not quite yet :)

Submitted by Crystal - March 21, 2012 - 2:47pm

You sound alot like me at my work place. I am addicted to sugar and I sit all day for 8 hours. It is so hard. I do better on some days than others but I mostly do bad than better. It is so hard for me to resist sugar. I feel like an addict. I will lose about 5-6 lbs and then have a meltdown and gain it back and then I 'm right where I started from. I have found your comments to be very encouraging and I encourage you to continue to eat beter so that you can have that sweet life. Pray that I can do that as well.

Submitted by kelly - March 21, 2012 - 10:17pm

But you can do it!! I think the more GOOD stuff we put in our bodies, fresh veggies, fruits, lean proteins, etc... we notice a difference in how we FEEL, and then we want to keep doing it. So, keep working at it :)

Submitted by Thera - March 21, 2012 - 2:47pm

My work has free catered lunch, daily. My work has vending machines and everything inside is FREE. My work has pop machines and the pop is all FREE. I get why some think its awesome, but for me, its torture! I bring lots of healthy snacks everyday and drink water all day long to avoid the temptations...but I will say, that since I started here in August, I put on 25 lbs and then realize I was outta control and took back control...so yes, I can relate! :)

Submitted by kelly - March 21, 2012 - 10:18pm

Good for you for realizing what was going on, and taking back control before it got worse!

Submitted by V - March 22, 2012 - 9:39am

Work is the WORST place for me. There are always cupcakes and brownies and all sorts of junk food. Sometimes I don't ever leave my cube for fear of having to walk by it

Submitted by Amy - March 22, 2012 - 12:59pm

that's killer!! we have SO much valentines day candy laying around it is so brutal. i ate a whole box of junior mints yesterday..that i bought for my husband hahah oops.

Submitted by kelly - March 22, 2012 - 7:07pm

He never has to know :)

Submitted by Elaine - November 15, 2012 - 2:38pm

I can totally relate to this too! I agree that breaks and water help, and going for walks whenever I get the chance. I work in a public health office so one would think that would encourage healthier options :-)

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