Hello readers! Thanks for visiting this week! Lately, I have heard much news on co-workers and how they may be a negative influence if you are a person trying to lose weight or just simply maintain a healthier lifestyle. 

A Wall Street journal report identifies the problem and cites some evidence about the situation. It says: “Some 29 percent of people on diets say colleagues pressure them to eat more, make fun of their diets or order them restaurant food they know aren’t on their diets, according to a recent survey of 325 dieters by Survey Sampling International for Medi-Weightloss Clinics, a Tampa, Fla., franchiser of physician-supervised weight-loss clinics.”

I have found myself eating a slice of cake to celebrate a co-workers birthday or baby shower. Many

 times we would splurge and throw a potluck just to eat. I can remember someone making fun of me once before since I did not want to eat a cupcake at a recent celebration. She said “Oh come on, you know you want one”.  When she said that, my instant thought was, “What if I were an alcoholic and trying to stop drinking? Would she pressure me then?” 

Many people do not turn down food from their co-workers because they may not want to offend the person and it can cause some very touchy conversations. Becky Hand is a registered dietitian with the weight-loss and fitness website SparkPeople. Apparently she coaches weight-loss patients to script a response in their heads and practice in front of the mirror, saying such lines as, "I've had your food in the past and it's always delicious. But I'm sorry, at this time in my life, eating those extra whatever isn't benefiting my health." 

I think this information is imperative to anyone trying to live a healthier life but does not want to risk work relationships. 

Please check out this link to a video on “How your Co-workers can make you fat”. Very Interesting .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgp8B-0YOBU