Tips for staying on track at work!

Hey fellow counters, I need some help from all of you!  I work in your typical office, where people constantly bring in candy, sweets, etc.  I start out each day with the very best of intentions, and lately bring in my own lunch, and apples for snacks.  I eat that, but often times I eat more, and its JUNK! 

Other factors that are problems: I work in a high rise and the cafeteria feels like a bomb shelter (in basement!) so I often go to the mall next door to the foodcourt to eat my lunch.  problem there, is that I get tempted by sweets!

On the way home I take the train, and the grocery store is 2 stops before my house, so I get off, get my groceries for dinner, and walk home.  BUT a lot of times I am so hungry or whatever that I buy a snack and actually start eating it in the store!  Usually its baked chips lol, then I throw the bag out when I leave with whatever contents are left in it, so that they don't make it to the house.

I know these things are derailing me, and I need any tips/advice you may have.  I am assuming others can relate to this?

PS- I eat a healthy b-fast, usually high fiber english muffin with 1 egg, 1 egg white, and 1 slice of low fat cheese.  I also have coffee with soy milk and 2 splendas.  My dinners are usually healthy as long as I don't go out- don't really keep much junk/naughty things @ the house at all!

Ahhh, I thought you were going to give me tips on how to stay focused on work, and stop surfing CC.

Since the weather is getting nicer now, it might be nice to eat outside, instead of in the bomb shelter or mall. I see that you live in Boston, so there is probably an area nearby that you can walk to and have yourself a nice little lunch without too many temptations. Also, I find having gum handy keeps my mouth busy and gives me a little sweet taste, even if I can't have what I really want. I am the same way about being too hungry before making dinner. Sometimes I try to drink a cup of tea before leaving work to kind of dull those hunger pangs. But it's also okay to have yourself a little snack if you're hungry. What about an apple or some celery and humus instead of baked chips?

I hope those suggestions help a little. I'm not the best at avoiding temptation myself, but I keep trying!

I think making sure that you have some snacks at work that you can eat before you head to the store would help.  If you are ending up eating junk because you're still hungry from what you brought in, then you need to start bringing more - an extra cheese stick, a little container of nuts, some yogurt&granola.

Personally, apples have always made me hungrier if I eat them on an empty stomach - if that's the case for you, then maybe apples aren't the best snack. Or you can try pairing it with something that will help keep you sated. I'm not a huge fan, but some people love to put a little peanut butter or spreadable cheese on their apples to make them last longer.

I have the same problem too! Today there was an event and my work ended up with all of the left over cookies and pies and cheese yikes! I agree with amethystgirl, bring healthy extras for munching when you get hungry/bored. I like to bring celery and carrot sticks and a little bit of hummus to tie me over.

Also LOTS and LOTS of water helps me alot. I try to set goals for myrself like "I can eat my granola bar after I drink all the water in my water bottle". It helps me stop obsessing about food and take my mind off eating which just makes me hungrier.

Original Post by momoyafah:

Also LOTS and LOTS of water helps me alot. I try to set goals for myrself like "I can eat my granola bar after I drink all the water in my water bottle". It helps me stop obsessing about food and take my mind off eating which just makes me hungrier.

 agreed! i work in an office too and there have definitely been days where i wind up snacking out of boredom. it's no fun, but i've been trying to get up and refill my water bottle instead. setting goals like that is great! gum is good too and few pretzels usually cheer me up a bit. i think it's really all about planning and not putting yourself in situations where you cave and then regret it later. for me, i have to bring lunch because if i go down to the store starving i'm likely to make bad decisions. also, routine is important. good luck!

One word: gum

I keep TONS of it at my desk. Often times I think I'm hungry but what I really need it just "something to do" in other words, a motion to fool myself into thinking I am eating. It works wonders.

I am determined to make this change. I work in an office where I was told on my hire day "You WILL gain weight - everyone here gains 20 lbs their first year"

I am changing that. I want to LOSE 20 my first year!

So - even though I am the one setting up/breaking down the parties, I don't snack.

We have bagels every friday. i dont touch them

One of the nicest ladies here has a bowl of chocolate in her office always. I don't touch it.

Someone brings a goodie and leaves in the breakroom at least 2x a week. hands off!

I have yogurt, veggies & dip, salad, crackers & cheese, a zillion snacks. I eat every 2 hours. I don't get cravings and I don't get hungry. I just set my mind to it.

You have to consciously think about what you are doing! Bring high protien snacks and a VARIETY of snacks - sometimes I want those chips, so I have veggies & dip. Or crackers & cheese. Sometimes sweet - yogurt with fruit, chocolate EAS shake (110 cals).

I ALWAYS have a protien in whatever I'm eating. But I put on my blinders for the goodies that are always around. No use in "just this once"... cause tomorrow its gonna be a new goodie. So I just refuse to see them.