Welcome to Small Steps to Health where we do not take orders from a cookie!
For the first time in my career, the women outnumbered the men in my office. Early on my career, I have often been in meetings where I am the only woman. Nothing wrong with that. Except that during long meetings, the men do not understand why I need to pee as often as I do. I notice some of the men in my office only use the bathroom twice a day (you guess it, I sit by the bathroom). I seriously think these people are dehydrated!
But there is a dark side to being in the land of the women.
Women are often associated with providing the food at home. And some women feel the need to extend that to the office. But working in an office where most of the women bring in baked goodies are a threat to the waistline.
Maybe the reason why there is the term “secretary spread” is that most admin staff tends to be women. And they are constantly pushing food at each other. I think the nurturing instinct is just too acute for some of us to overcome.
But it is not their problem if you have no self control, right?
Imagine this. A co-worker shows up with a tray of baked goodies in their hand. “I brought in double fudge chocolate cupcakes. Take one before all the guys get them,” they said with an eager smile.
What do you do in a situation like that? Do you take one and thank them? Do you take one and later put it in the breakroom? Do you tell them that you are on a diet?
Then what do you when another co-worker come by and say “Did you get a cupcake from the breakroom? I heard they are really good! I am on my way to get one, do you want me to bring one back for you?”
Thin is all relative!
Though I am no longer the youngest engineer in the office, I have to admit that I am still the thinnest one. That is not saying much because I am somewhere between a size 8 and 10 (with vanity sizing in women’s clothing these days, it depends on where I get my clothes). But this statement is saying a lot about the women and men in my office. Even the 25 year old looks to be 20 pounds heavier than me.
Are my co-workers intentionally trying to fatten me up? I truly do not believe that to be the case. I have been told by many people that I am a likeable person and I think they just want to make sure that I get a piece of whatever goodies are brought in before they disappear. And let me tell you – they disappear. Fast.
Until next time and thanks for stopping Small Steps to Health.
Photo by: Louis Beche .
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Loved your post! It’s been really helpful 
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Ah, that’s a conundrum! I think that it’s acceptable to take them on occasion, but that they’ll understand if you say “no” sometimes, too. Something I like to do is to say “save me one for later”, and then I’m off the hook and am not expected to eat it right then and there. I can either take it and eat it later, or share it with someone else, or give it away- and they’ll be none the wiser.
Sagans last blog post……What’s Happening on the Web (some healthy links)
@Sagan – The last time I tried that, my co-worker grabbed a pork bun and left it on my desk, just to make sure I get one. Sometimes I come back from a meeting and find food on my desk. Amazing! Now why did this not happen when I was a starving teen?!
I am giving homemade baked gifts this year, and I am curious as to how people would feel about getting such a gift.
@top foods – Food is always a great gift idea in my opinion. With people spending less and less time in the kitchen, “homemade” has obtain a rosy glow. Thanks for the comment!
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