Eating NS for lunch at work is kind of a pain. It's not so much that I am
embarrassed to be seen eating NS but the inevitable interview I seem to
have to give every time I pop open my lunch box is getting a bit wearisome.

I have tried to cleverly dissuade people from coming up to me by reading a
book while I am eating lunch. I have enjoyed moderate success with this
when I am travelling and do not wish to speak to the person sitting next to
me. However at lunch, people either do not see the book or have decided
that their questions are more important than my peace.

It always starts out the same

"You eating Nutrisystem huh?" And we both stare at the Nutrisystem
container with Nutrisystem in big bold letters.

"Yeah." Then comes the scan. The one thin people give fat people when they
see they are dieting to see if they can detect any change in their
appearance. Then comes the second inevitable question.

"You trying to lose weight?" That's when my blood pressure starts to rise
ever so slightly. Being trained extensively in the British school of dry
comedy (Monty Python, Black Adder and so on) my mind will always come up
with sharp retorts such as:

"No, it is just I find the split-pea soup (1 container) to be so
delightfully blissful as to nearly rival the act of sex. Actually it may be
better than sex because eating NS does not nearly make me as sweaty."

But I usually just say:

"Yeah, a couple pounds."Then comes the next question.

"Is it working?" To be honest that is a fair question to ask me. I am in
the "needs to lose 100+ pounds" club and so even though I have already lost
about 13 pounds, it is hardly noticeable. Still, most people ask it in a
more accusatory way.  When they ask, "is it working?" they're more likely
saying "you still look fat." But I try to keep my cool.

"I think so." is my generic and safe reply. Then they pat their belly
(which is usually flat as a board) and say:

"Yeah I could stand to lose a few pounds too." Then we would stare at each
other again for awhile. Usually around that time the microwave will beep
mercifully and they wander off to enjoy left-over sausage pizza while I
crunch away on my carrot.

Oh well, sooner or later at least people will stop asking me if it is
working so I have that to look forward to!