Ok, starting to have a REALLY hard time eating in front of coworkers

happyteacher
on 6/22/12 11:32 am

I elected to not share at work that I had surgery. Overall, I am an intensely private person and I do not regret this decision one bit. One problem, however, is that I am beginning to feel like a freak show when I eat with these people. I have one teacher in particular who comments EVERY FRIGGEN' meal, and clearly monitors EVERYTHING I eat (or more accurately don't eat).

I am wide open to any suggestions on how to help my coworkers just freaking ignore me when i eat, other then telling them about surgery. It is getting to a point that I want to avoid eating publicly with coworkers, I dread having to go to meetins done over lunch or dinner, conferences, etc. If anyone has any clever suggestions that are not hurtful toward a coworker and may be effective in getting them to back off I would be much appreciative.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

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USAF Wife
on 6/22/12 11:36 am

Revision on 06/03/09

I would suggest pulling off the one annoying commentor and specifically telling her " I know it may seem odd, but it's just how I eat now, I don't want to talk about my eating or lack there of every day, every meal, it's not a big deal, but I don't think it's really important for everyone to discuss my eating habits".

Just my 2cents without divulging the details of your surgery. I mean you can be nice about it, spin it if you have to be sugary sweet, but there's no reason to just privately ask her to stop discussing your food intake.

Band to VSG revision: June 3, 2009
SW 270lbs GW 150lbs CW Losing Pregancy Weight Maintenance goal W 125-130lbs

ib40
on 6/22/12 11:41 am

VSG on 09/12/11

I agree with USAF Wife. If it is one particular person who gets everyone else to notice your lunch, I'd catch her out in the hallway or in her room and tell her nicely that you are working hard to change lifelong habits. You know your lunch may seem odd or unusual, but this is what you have to do to be healthy and you'd appreciate it if you didn't have to feel so self-conscious in the teacher's lounge.

Ms. Poker Face
on 6/22/12 11:45 am

VSG on 06/22/11

I have also kept my VSG quiet so others sometimes comment on my bird-like eating. I used to get self-concious but that goes away with time. People will get used to it and it will be a non-issue at some point.

The advice you've already gotten is good. Make it clear that your eating is not up for discussion and that you've made a lifestyle change for the better. You can even add that it's under doctor's supervision if you think that will help shut the other person up.

5'5" Goal reached, but fighting regain. Back to Basics.
Start Weight 246 Goal Weight 160 Current Weight 183

Starting size: 22, 2x
Current size: 12, L

happyteacher
on 6/22/12 11:55 am

VSG on 12/19/11

I used to think that. It has been 6 long months though and it is getting worse, not better.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Ms. Poker Face
on 6/22/12 12:13 pm

VSG on 06/22/11

I HATE drama and try to avoid it when I can. I like being happy and loving life too much to waste time on drama. I'm sorry she's drawn to it. You may have to pick a situation where she's making a comment about it and put her in her place. Sometimes a snarky reply about something she's doing can do the trick. It's borderline *****y, but done right, it can be effective. I'm sorry for your troubles... no fun!

5'5" Goal reached, but fighting regain. Back to Basics.
Start Weight 246 Goal Weight 160 Current Weight 183

Starting size: 22, 2x
Current size: 12, L

Bf516
on 6/22/12 11:47 am, edited 6/22/12 11:49 am

At my job we all eat together also...
I'm not sleeved yet but my boss still makes comments.
It used to be daily;
How can you eat all that
How many M&Ms can you possibly eat
Don't that make you feel so full

I could go on n on!!!!!

So one day I had enough... She said
You know ranch is the most fattening dressing.
I slammed my ranch bottle down & said I'll eat what I want to eat, how I eat it, and how much I want to eat it!!!

At least she only makes a remark about once a week now.

So I vote for SPEAK YOUR MIND!!!!

happyteacher
on 6/22/12 11:54 am

VSG on 12/19/11

I honestly don't think that would work with this particular coworker. She is drawn to drama like a bug to a light. It is just really hard because everybody at work does know I have cancer so this crap is all wrapped up together in their minds. It just doesn't seem to matter how many times I share with them that the cancer is either not present, or when it crops up (skin cancer) a simple excision takes care of it. It isn't helping that last year I kept going out on short medical leaves because of the cancer, and just had to cancel some work functions due to another excision coming up. Consequently, I don't think this approach would work with her- it literally would fuel the fire for her to talk about it even more. I do have 1 other teacher that comments frequently and that would probably work with her though... I will think about how best to word this so she is hopefully not offended. Thanks for your suggestion. Now to deal with the drama queen...

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

morgans
on 6/22/12 11:56 am

VSG on 06/18/12

Tell her it's the latest diet craze. She may want tips... ;)

I debated coming out at work, but I came out to my friends on Facebook and my family and so what the hell. I figure maybe it will educate someone, or help someone who maybe has thought about it.

We all eat at our desks for the most part but we all prep in the same kitchen and my little 4 oz Tupperware containers and Popsicles may raise a few eyebrows.

Most of my more immediate co-workers know I had surgery, but not what for. Since I'll be losing a ton of weight quickly and my hair may fall out I don't want them to think I'm on chemo.

happyteacher
on 6/22/12 11:59 am

VSG on 12/19/11

I can so relate to not wanting coworkers to think think I am on chemo, but I actually am. Not the variety that causes you to lose hair and crap- just a skin cream variety to deal with skin issues, but technicaly chemo nontheless.

Surgeon: Chengelis Surgery on 12/19/2011 A little less carb eating compared to my weight loss phase loose sleever here!

1Mo: -21 2Mo: -16 3Mo: -12 4MO - 13 5MO: -11 6MO: -10 7MO: -10.3 8MO: -6 Goal in 8 months 4 days!! 6' 2'' EWL 103% Starting size 28 or 4x (tight) now size 12 or large, shoe size 12 w to 10.5 150+ pounds lost

Join the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker group for recipes and tips! Click here to join!

Ok, starting to have a REALLY hard time eating in front of coworkers

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Ok, starting to have a REALLY hard time eating in front of coworkers