3/27 Something to think about...

[Billie]

"The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yoursel".
Mark Cain

Hmmm good thought for a Monday! This is usually the day at the office that all the "left over" foods come in--you know the "I made a cake and we didn't eat it all" kind of people who don't want the cake at home and think they are doing something nice bringing in all that sugar.

By far my hardest area to stay on program is the office. It is like a walking carb land mind environment. We have talked about it and talked about, but it still comes streaming in the door.

I have found that if I eat breakfast it is so much easier to sail through the morning amidst the carb temptations lurking everywhere. After lunch we all seem to hit the 3 o'clock downers, but I will say that again a good protein lunch lets me go alot farther. My office staff, some of which are overweight, 3 of them are having BP issues, really needs to do it.

Any suggestions today for ideas on how to tame the office bringing in all the sugary-flour things?

Have a great one, stay out of your own mindfield!

[hawk]

I'm babysitting for a good freind for the week while they take a trip to Hawaii. 15 yr old son,7 year old daughter... the kitchen is carb city...uuggghhhhhh.
I told the kids I didn't eat cereal because of allergies. The 15 year old son when he found out we eat eggs for breakfast actually wanted to get up at 5:30 and make my husband and I scrambled eggs(his specialty) with cheese and spices so my husband could eat before he went to work at 6 am. They were pretty good. The kids are doing well,they are very good kids.. The mom is a basket case..she's never left her children before. I french braided the daughters hair this morning , fed the horses(5 am),dogs,cats,rabbits and ,daughter.We are making a documentary of the kids week to play back to the parents when they get home..
This is going to be a long week... Lynns taxi service. I am out of the loop. I have to carry around their schedules... there are so many things on them.

How to tame the office... I made a turkey yesterday at the kid's home(we are staying there this week.) and I make sure I never have low blood sugar so I don't get tempted. Eat TURKEY!!!

[Shadow]

The thing that has helped me the most at work, other than being a dedicated NEANer, is to make sure I bring morning and afternoon snacks with me. Since my cooking is far better than any of the garbage they bring in, it's very easy for me to ignore their stuff and go for my snacks instead :p. The added bonus is that this way I have no worry or guilt about trans-fats, sugars, or anything else I don't want to get near. Lynn nailed it on the head - the key for me was keeping low blood sugars at bay - and the snacks have done that for me :).

[banshee]

I'm the same as Shadow. I always make sure to have snacks on hand that I enjoy eating, and I eat them instead of the other stuff when I feel tempted. That includes something sweet, or something I feel is really decadent low-carb fare, because we all know that eating something boring and low-carb isn't nearly as interesting when something decadent and sugary shows up.

If I do happen to be caught without at the office, thinking about the decadent stuff at home often works to keep me from indulging, and also thinking about how I can feel really sick when I eat too much sugar. It doesn't happen nearly as often now, but when I used to be really tempted, I would actually take the time to take a long break and go to the grocery store to get myself something low-carb to enjoy. Now I'm just not tempted that much, so even if I don't have something on hand, I know I can wait til I get home to enjoy something. In fact, when I go into the break room and see the sugary stuff, I just get my tea or water, and go back to my office and let me office mates know that there are goodies available without taking anything for myself. :D

[gitfiddle]

Most of the time, I can simply ignore it successfully, but then it's not in my line of sight like it is for Lynn. There are days, though, when I'd better have proper snacks in my office. I feel churlish if I don't attend the little celebrations where someone has made something special for someone else, you know? It happened last Friday when I was already in a wierd mood. Even the my low-carb compatriot was eating it and saying just one won't hurt. I just say I don't want to mess up my blood sugar: a true and convenient defense.

My environment that day wasn't the food, but the negative attitude that had enveloped me because I wasn't getting my own way. That's a whole different kind of environment and I have to take a concious step to raise my beta-endorphins :) or the food will be next!

[AliB]

Also, just not taking that first bite.... I'm getting back to this philosophy.

[LisaS]

boy was this a timely post. Usually the carb temptations are limited to an announcement that "there are donuts in the break room" -- and if you wait long enough to get coffee they're all gone. The same with the "here's some cake/cookies/whatever from the weekend" - if you can ignore it the first time you see it, it will be gone the next time you go by the door. Not that this says alot for the folks who will easily scarf up any sugary carbs presented - but it is less for me to deal with.

but today it is a baby shower with CAKE - and that makes it a social occasion and you want to show up for the shower portion - and "just say no" for the cake - wish me luck ;)

[gitfiddle]

By now it's over. Hope you made it through.:p

[LisaS]

oh, the leftovers are still in the kitchen (guess the eaters were all sated at the shower) - but I'm holding fast - my guess is that when the 3 o'clock munchies hit the rest will be gone <g>

[gitfiddle]

Oh, you're farther west than I am! Didn't notice that before. Hang in there, Lisa:) , you can do it!

[BethB]

I keep my fridge and cabinet stocked with PP friendly things.

My new office is in a remote part of the building. My staff aren't in the suite with me yet, so there are relatively few temptations around.

Finally, I don't carry cash. First off, if I have cash it tends to get spent. :rolleyes: Secondly if I don't have cash, I can't visit the vending machine.

[Billie]

I might have doomed myself even talking about it. I too think NEANing is by far the easiest, it works best for me. HOWEVER I caved this afternoon when staff brought in a caramel apple and cut it in wedges. Oh could have been worse!

B