Sugar Pushers at Work: How to Refuse Sweets & Embrace Sanity
By
Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C.
If you go to an office every day, you’ve undoubtedly been at the mercy
of co-workers, who can best be dubbed “sugar pimps.”
No disrespect intended, but I’m sure you know to whom I’m referring.
You know, those sweetly smiling, eager-to-please colleagues who
continually proffer cakes, cookies and donuts with such polite
insistence that, despite your best efforts, your diet goes belly up.
(Pun intended.)
You know, those annoying people—either amazingly slim or embarrassingly
overweight—who always seem to have jars of candies on their desk to
tempt and torture all who pass.
You know, those co-workers who mean no harm but annoy the heck out of
you by constantly bringing “goodies” to work.
Sadly, many of us are forced to face “sugar pushers” on a regular basis.
(But, by the way, working at home isn’t much easier, as I can testify.
We face other potentially diet-derailing challenges. More about that
another time.)
Naturally, we all agree on one point at least—those sugar shovers at
work should be handled with care, courtesy, and maybe even compassion.
So rather than wail and rant about their annoying “babits” (bad habits),
I’d like to come to your rescue by offering you some tips and tactics
for dealing with these tricky situations.
Here are 7 things you can do to deal with those pervasive, sugary
temptations that trip you up at work:
1. Just Delay. (Do creative procrastination.)
When those candies, cookies and cakes on your co-workers' desks beckon,
just hold off and do nothing for a while. Then, get involved with other
things—tackle a work project you’ve been avoiding, start chatting with a
colleague, take a walk around the block or up and down the stairs, etc.
This creative procrastination—or positive inaction—will allow you to get
some perspective on the situation.
2. Decide to be different from Pavlov's dogs.
Realize that if you give into those sweets at work, you'll be no better
than those salivating creatures Pavlov conditioned years ago. Choose to
be a human being with control over what you put into your mouth. You
don’t want to be a slave to silly candies and cookies, do you?
3. Get the sour news on sweet “treats.”
Instead of mindlessly stuffing your face with all the sweets your co
-workers want to share with you, study up on the harm those "goodies"
can wreak. Learn, for instance, that too many sweets and quickie-carb
foods may not only pile on the pounds but may also lead to mood swings,
difficulty concentrating, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease,
brain fog, depression, severe PMS and much more.
4. Eat quality carbs first. Then have 1 or 2 polite bites.
So that you don't feel left out at work parties and functions, store a
small amount of superior carbs, protein and fat in the work fridge. For
instance, always keep on hand fiber-rich, nutrient-dense apples,
oranges, pears or other fruits (preferably organic), as well as sliced
carrots, celery, red pepper slices, fennel or other produce. Eat them
with a little sugar-free almond butter or peanut butter, a slice of
cheese or a hard-boiled egg. By snacking on healthier carbs first, you
may find your co-worker’s donuts or B-day cake have lost their appeal.
But if you still feel left out after your snack, try taking a polite 1
or 2 bites (max). Then stop.
5. See yourself free of sweet work traps.
Envision yourself easily turning down those tempting desserts your
co-workers offer. In addition, place positive, affirming notes or
phrases on your desk or phone. For example, you could have slips of
paper stating, “I eat only healthy foods at work. I am free."
6. Say no with sass!
Bring a sense of humor to work. Have some fun turning down your
sugar-pushing co-workers. Get some ideas on how to do it with class at
http://www.sugarshock.com/sayno.html
7. Watch yourself like a lab rat.
Before you stuff your face with cookies, cakes and candies at work, step
outside yourself and witness your behavior. What drives you to say yes
to your co-worker? Why do you want those sweets? What will happen if you
eat them? When do you most want to eat them? And so on. Observing
yourself in this manner can prepare you to take positive action instead.
Ultimately, try to remember that you’re the one in charge of what goes
into your body. You’re the person who has to step on your bathroom scale
tomorrow. You’re the individual who has to suffer—or benefit—from your
food behavior.
So make your habit a healthy one that will bring you confidence, energy
and good cheer.
About The Author: Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. is a journalist, columnist and author of the book SUGAR SHOCK!, with Dr. Stephen T. Sinatra. She is a former sugar addict, whose mission as a “Sugar Liberator” is to help people break free of their sugar habit so they can peel off pounds, boost their moods, increase their energy and banish brain fog. Connie also is a certified health counselor, a life coach, a speaker, a frequent TV and radio guest, and host of the Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Radio Show (on www.BlogTalkRadio.com). Visit Connie’s website at www.SugarShock.com to take the playful, provocative SUGAR SHOCK! Quiz.
Used With Permission
