So, I have a scenario for you all to consider, which as been happening over the past month or so (before Christmas).
A colleague of mine (we'll call her C) evaluates my food when we work together. She has been trying to work out and lose a few lbs, but for whatever reason(s), she can't get it together.
The week before Christmas, she proclaimed, "I'm starting my 'diet' after the holidays. There is too many things going on for me to get into that right now. K, what are you eating tonight?"
The week before New Year's, she proclaimed, "I'm starting my 'diet' on Monday. I'm eating really good on New Year's Day. K!! EWWE! What is that you are eating?" (She usually turns her nose up to my food.)
On Saturday night, she stated, "I have 2 more days, and on Monday, I'm starting hard-core with my 'diet'." Meanwhile, she grabs a bag of pork rinds, a bag of chili cheese fritos, and a 16 oz regular coke. A little while later, I was enjoying a Metromint GoodBerryMint water. She asked (in a rather ewwe tone), "K, what are you drinking?" I replied, "It's Goodberrymint water, wanna try it? It's really good?"
Her: "Ewwe! No way. I don't even like mint. How are you drinking that in water? GROSS!"
Before we left work that morning, she said, "K, you gotta help me stay on track this time."
I'm thinking:: Yeah, right--whatever!
Monday FINALLY rolls around.
Me: "Hey C! What's for lunch tonight? Are you ready to start this week?"
C: "Well, I have to wait til Thursday to go to the store. Where do you buy that Agave stuff you eat? I want to get some because I'm stopping sugar."
A few hours later, I buy a Turkey Waldorf Salad from the cafeteria. Ingredients: Lettuce, deli turkey, walnuts, granny smith apple, & grapes. I had FF Raspberry Vinaigrette as the dressing.
She comes over, critiquing as usual
C: "OMG! K what is that?"
Me: "Turkey Waldorf Salad from downstairs. It's really good. I'm glad I chose this over the
they had!"
C: "Ewwe! I don't like all that."
Me: (**at this point, I have had it with her criticizing my food) "I'm NOT asking you to eat it!"
C: (**offended) "Dang, I didn't say you were, I was just saying I don't like all that together! Excuse ME!!"
(she then turned her back and walked away)
My dilemma is this: I really want to NOT discuss my food and fitness goals at work, & I know I can just stop, but we are going to eat together again, & I'd like to be tactful. How would you say in a nice way, "you have your goals and I have mine. I'll eat what I like and you eat what you like." without offending others? She was already offended, but then again, so am I when she "ewwe's" everything I eat or drink. I haven't really shown her I'm offended when she turns her nose up. I kind of use it as energy to keep pursuing my goals.