[merose]

My work has been having problems retaining staff, so they are inventing all kinds of incentives to keep up morale.
These aren't fun, money-type incentives - they all seem to involve chocolate.
So at the department meeting the other day, seeing the prizes all lined up in the middle of the conference table I was praying that I hadn't won any.
I WON THEM ALL. A good thing, yes? but I did not need a massive tin of roses (choc), a large box of celebrations (choc), a box of seashells (choc) AND a bottle of shiraz.
I told my boss thanks, but we could share my spoils amongst the department because I didn't want to take them home myself. She said "no no no! you earned these!" and started PACKING THEM INTO MY HANDBAG.
I managed to give one away to a girl who was leaving and ended up throwing the roses in the bin (I hate waste but I cannot have chocolate in the house )
Everyone at work knows I am losing weight now and they all seem to be having a competition to see who can break my resolve first! (I don't think on purpose, but seriously - I have never seen so much chocolate and junk at work as I have in the last month).

How am I supposed to keep going with people pushing chocolate at me all the time? exasperation!

Maybe I am being tested. Chocolate and wine are my greatest weaknesses.

[Haley8203]

oh wow what are the odds you win them all!!! good for you for giving one away and ditching one i probably would have taken them all home and eaten them(if i ate chocolate, i don't cause i'm vegan but if it was carob) you did great! that was not easy!!!

[junebug41]

I know when you're fighting off every piece of work related chocolate (or doughnut or bagel) it can seem like people are set out to destroy you. Don't let them! You're not the bad guy here. Simply be gracious about it and ditch the contraband in the garbage if you can't have it in the house.

It actually sounds like you're already doing that, but they have seemed to join forces against you. Keep up what you're doing and don't feel bad about it.

Also, it can be hard to hide when you change your eating habits, but in the past I've had to refrain from discussing such matters with coworkers and certain friends for exactly this reason. They love to make stuff like this their business when it simply is not.

[ANewCreation]

I would have done exactly as you did. Good for you.

If you haven't already gotten rid of the wine could you 'regift' it to someone else? Maybe as a birthday gift? Hostess gift? Or just give it away to a friend if it's too tempting to keep around.

[StephanieM]

I wouldn't have your strength in this situation.

I would be into at least one of those chocolate boxes the minute I got home and pouring a glass of wine. I would try and pawn off the others onto my boyfriend who I know will eat them. Good luck on staying strong!

[lulu2005]

Great job! Maybe you could talk to your boss about offering different rewards like gift certificates or cash? That way you wouldn't be as tempted and your whole office would probably thank you!

[merose]

ha thanks guys - I have to say that I did drink the wine (not all by myself) but I'm pretty proud about the chocolate thing. Only a few months ago I would have polished off all three boxes in a weekend.
Junebug - I totally know what you're talking about. Now when people ask if I've lost weight I just reply, have I? Pretending not to know anything about it stops them from quizzing and testing you on it.

I would be up for gift certificates! Unfortunately I work in a big hotel, and chocolate and wine are cheap alternatives for management because they are already onsite.

Next time I think I'll just not go to the meeting