Ok I may need to lose abt 15 lbs but coworker walks by, says "eating again?"?

Question

We're not really co workers, we work in the same building, but different companies. He can look over and see me though anytime he wants. When he walks by to go out to smoke & he says this if I am eating, he's done it 2 or 3 times. So I am 5'4 and my ideal weight is 123-138 and I weigh 145. He is rail thin. So I could stand to lose a few, but how rude is that?! Yesterday he said it and it was the first time I had eaten that day (AND I was eating Subway)! Should I say something? I just realized he may be saying that cause I would say something similar about him stepping out to smoke. Like "another smoke?". But come on, woman are sensitive about their weight and I wanna say "if you want to be stereotypical you would think you being british you would have some manners!" Yea I try to eat a little something for breakfast and then have lunch in an eight hour shift but they say not to skip breakfast. Yea I snack but I am not eating constantly! What should I do?

I snack only if I skip a meal

I am not hungery when I first wake up in the morning so I eat breakfast at work. Like I said I only snack if I skipped a meal. Don't assume because I am overweight I eat M&Ms. I eat senisbly thank you very much.

I am gonna have to approach him cause he only says it in walking by, so I don't have time to respond!

My boyfriend smokes so I don't have anything against smoking! Besides I was just making conversation.

Answer 1

Clearly stated in your question is the fact that you have issues with your weight. However, you cannot let his comments put you on the defensive because you started it.

You simply must try to ignore him, offer no comments back and continue eating healthy.

Answer 2

So that's in like 12 days or something? I just lost 5 lbs in 5 days and it's usually hard for me to lose weight. I drink diet soda normally and that fills me up. Usually, and don't laugh, 2-3 44 oz. from 7-11 a day. For breakfast i have non-fat yogurt w/a banana or a different fruit. Lunch: one of those lite frozen dinners, like michelina's. If hungry, some carrots or an apple or a cup of pretzels. Then for dinner I have my protein, steak, nothing fancy, or burger, no bread or starch. No potatoes. Lots of vegetables or salad. No butter. Then nothing after that. Then I go on the treadmill for about 45 minutes. I have to lose 40 lbs. These 5 are a start and I hope some of this helps you. Everyone is different though. Good luck.

Answer 3

You need to approach him, privately. Say this" Please stop commenting each time you pass my desk on what I am doing. It is very distracting". That is it. You don't need to get into the whole eating discussion. What you are doing is less important than the fact that he feels he needs to comment on it.

Or, he walks by and says "Eating again". You can respond with a big smile and say "Yes I am!". Sit there with a big grin on your face and continue to eat and stare him down.....he'll get the hint. If you do that everytime, eventually he will become annoyed and stop.

It is possible that he is just trying to make conversation with you. Maybe he is socialy inept and this is his feeble attempt at flirting.
Or maybe he is a "donkey" and is trying to tell you he thinks you need to lose weight.

Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with work and therefore has no place in the workplace conversation.

For your benefit, if you feel the need to eat or snack, do it away from you desk. Go to a break room or outside or even the ladies room if you have to.
Understand this: from a managment point of view, perception is reality. If people see you eating at your desk, they will ASSUME that you are not working. Weather you are or not doesn't matter. If you are doing anything besides work at your desk, it reflects poorly on your performance.

I think you are being a bit overly sensitive. I wise teacher once said to me "Criticism only hurts when it comes from people you respect". If this man's opinion is not welcome by you or respected, then get over yourself.

If your weight bothers YOU, do something about it. If it doesn't, then his comments should not bother you either.

If he persists AFTER you have spoken to him and asked him to stop, go to human resources and file a formal complaint. They can handle it from there.

.

Answer 4

That is ignorant. Maybe he is doing it to make himself feel better about something. You said he's skinny, so he doesn't need to lose weight, but there is a lady at my night job (restaurant) who ALWAYS complains when I am eating and says "You're gonna get FAT!!!" cause she has trouble staying on her diet and I am simply tempting her to eat alfredo (her fav) as opposed to salads.

I too am a little overweight, but only I know what is best for me and only I have to deal with swimsuit season coming up. It isn't anyone else's business.

I suggest you come up with a smart-@$$ comment for this guy just like I do with my coworker. I tell her, "What? You jealous?" and she huffs and walks away. You need to investigate and find a way to push his buttons. It will work. Shuts them up every time.

After all, you are allowed to eat WHATEVER and WHENEVER you want to. It is no one else's business.

EDIT: DO NOT take the other's advice and haggle him about his smoking. I'm a smoker and I HATE that. His smoking is none of you business either so long as he's doing it outside. You want to emphasize his wrong behavior, not be just like him. 2 wrongs don't make a right!!!

Answer 5

I think its more because you stated to him "Another smoke?" he's just turning the tables around when saying "Eating again".

Don't take his "eating again?" so personally, and ignore him.

If it really bothers you, apologize for your "another smoke?" comments and to please not bug you about your eating habits.

You are not that overweight. I'm 5' 1" and would love to be 145.

Answer 6

Are you saying you started this by saying something to him about going out to smoke? Cause if you are, he's just dishing it back to you. You shouldn't worry about his smoking anymore than he worries about your eating!

Most people I know can't even get away with eating a snack at work at their desk. If you don't eat at work that often, how does he know enough to comment on it?

Answer 7

"Being a jerk again" " Killing yourself slowly ( smoking) again?" " Trying to be clever, again?"
People like this have deep issues of insecurity and are only trying to make themselves feel superior by making YOU feel inferior. Ignore him. He's a loser. What , realllllly, does HIS opinion matter to YOU? I mean, does he have anything to do with your position in the business where you work? Does he have any say in whether or not you ever get a promotion or a raise? If not, then come up with a snappy come back or just blow him off. SOME men, not all mind you, just don't 'get it' when it comes to weight loss and they think its just a personality problem. They think if you have a few pounds on you, then you're just a pig who lives in the fridge and vacations in the cookie jar. Whatever!! They don't realize the stresses a woman's body goes thru. I'd love to see a man deal with it for a year.... most of them couldn't take it.

Anyway... My husband said you oughtta walk past him while he's smoking and say " Wow.... slow suicide... cool. Good for you!!" LOL I thought it was pretty funny... seeing as my husband is NOT a vindictive type, but he was thoroughly offended on your behalf!!

Answer 8

I would tell this guy to mind his own business or say want some? if you have vocalised the fact you are trying to lose weight then maybe you should be eating veggies with a lowfat dip for a snack and bring some fresh fruit to eat for breakfast. subway is ok but you could be eating better. If he persists explain to him that it is the diet you are on, eating smaller meals throughout the day is what you are supposed to be doing.

Answer 9

That is really rude! He's just jealous that he's scrawny and has no body whatsoever. Tell him he smells like sh*t and everyone in the office has been complaining about him. Good luck!

By the way, you are supposed to eat breakfast and have light snacks in between meals. This guy has no idea what he's talking about and why would he care how much or how little you eat anyway?

Answer 10

He's just being facetious. Go for self-effacement that will get him too ... e.g. "Just putting another nail in the coffin, Dave." or whatever would be more natural for you to say works.

BTW in my experience grazing is best for your metabolism. I am two inches taller than you and was once up to 150 (as a college student -- lots of cals and no exercise). Good grazing food at work are cut-up apples, a basket of cherry tomatoes or grapes -- they won't make crumbs on the keyboard and are very refreshing. PLUS it will reinforce your point about "just putting another nail in the coffin".

PS IMO - don't bother approaching him ... it's not worth the time and energy and you will probably end up getting stressed while he gets entertained. But if he does it again, be sure to have a good zinger ready because that will quiet him up.