minor venting: annoying co-worker question about dieting

[traveller]

I guess I need to tell someone about a dieting question that a co-worker asked me today. I should mention that I don't like this person, whom I don't respect professionally. Anyways, she asked me if there are any pills to take for dieting, since she wants to lose weight. For almost a year, I watched her stuff her face with food that our company (a small start-up) provides free to employees, e.g., ice cream, chocolates, cookies and other snacks in addition to lunch and dinners brought each week day. I told her that diet pills may help, but they're useless in the long run because they won't change her eating habits. I suggested that, in a nutshell, she determine the caloric requirements for her desired bodyweight, eat no more than the daily total calories she targets, and exercise. She looked disappointed with my answer. She said that she had a feeling I'd say something like that. I didn't say anything in response. I only wondered why she asked me that question.

<Sigh>

Traveller

[ethernet_jock]

it's funny how sometimes people know that they need to hear the truth from a seemingly reputable source in order to believe it - even if it's not exactly what they wanted - they knew they needed to hear it.

Maybe she was hoping that you had a "secret" to your incredible body that you could share and that it didn't involve nearly as much hard work and discipline as it appeared to.

Try to find a way to take the question as a compliment.

[Gene]

It wouldn't have been polite or productive to say what you probably wanted to say: "For almost a year, I watched you stuff your face with food. If you can't see the answer every time your hand approches your face then there isn't anything I can do for you.!"

You probably did the most you can do in the best way possible. Short of life threatening fat related diseases, most overweight people don't voluntarily change their eating habits and even then it's too much like wisdom and work for them to accept.

Stated simply, changing your life habits is the only sucessful way to control your weight. Diet and exercise, it's that easy.

[brent]

There are, "thermalganic" pills that make your calories turn to body heat & energy. Ephedera was an example of one of these. Although they are all ephedra free today, I still wouldn't trust my health to any of them.

Another approach are the Cortisol blocking agents. I've talked to people that have said that these pills like Cortisan work to get fat off of your mid-section, but it has to be used with diet & exercise, and you need to give up coffee for it to work.

Whatever happens, she needs to form new habits. I STRONGLY recommend Weight Watchers, as they will help her form a healthy diet & exercise plan, for her lifestyle, that is plenty flexible. They also help people alter their lifestyles, and if she goes for life, she'll keep it off for life. Just remind her that their is nothing it the fridge that will solve her problems, so don't eat to feel happy. I'd suggest eating a piece of fruit, and drinking 8-12 oz of water before eating, and mostly cutting the crap out. She'll then be eating healthier, and she'll be well hydrated, and maybe feeling healthier, she'll be a nicer coworker to be around....

That's my 2?.

[traveller]

Originally Posted by brent

Whatever happens, she needs to form new habits. ...she'll be a nicer coworker to be around...

She's a very nice person, and I don't mind her personality which is somewhat ditzy. I just think she's a waste of space at work when it comes to working effectively and efficiently. Lately I had to micro-manage her because she has problems following simple, clearly written instructions in a timely manner. I'm stuck with her for now because I need someone to help with my projects, and her previous department in our company told her to find another job. Oh, well.

Traveller

[glammaman2000]

...is a great suggestion.It can be very filling,& a lot of problems(overeating,smoking,excessive cell-phone use)are about ORALITY.Some people just get comfort from using their mouths.Incidently;the FDA just admitted,FOR THE FIRST TIME!;that if you need to lose weight,you'll have to eat less.

[brent]

Originally Posted by traveller

...
because she has problems following simple, clearly written instructions in a timely manner. I'm stuck with her for now
...
and her previous department in our company told her to find another job.
...

God, she can't even follow simple instructions, and she probably makes 4 times what I do. That's life...