So, you’ve managed to convince your boss and/or your spouse that you can be more successful by working from home. Nicely done. However, as discussed here, there can be some concerns if you aren’t careful.
Here are a few tips to help prevent you from putting on extra weight whilst working from home:
Have set mealtimes
A regular meal schedule can help you avoid the need for snacking. There’s a lot to be said about eating smaller portions, less often. If you have the flexibility to do this while you work from home, you might find that you aren’t having crazy sugar cravings as often. Of course, one of the keys to this is reducing your portion size – moderation is essential.
Create appropriate snacks
If you have to have snacks, make it easy to make the right choice. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, or small appy plates (cheese and crackers, or pickles and sliced meats) are all great choices. If you plan ahead, you can even reward yourself when you achieve some of your daily goals.
Get rid of the junk food
It might hurt at first, but get rid of the chips, chocolates, candies, and ice cream. When you are avoiding work, or suffering writers block, or just trying to take a break, the temptation to eat junk is eliminated if you don’t have any in the cupboards.
Cut out the cream
If you’re like me, and working at home means more (and usually much better) coffee, be aware of how much cream and sugar you’re putting into your drink. It all adds up, and over time you might notice it adding to your weight. This includes Irish Cream in your coffee – now that you don’t have to drive to work, you can reward yourself with a tasty adult beverage – just be careful how much and how often.
Get up and exercise
Now that you don’t have that extra flight of stairs, or that walk from the parking lot to your office, try to add in some new exercise to keep your body in good shape. Go for a walk around the block, have a bike ride with the kids, or just spend some time on the treadmill. Make it a habit, and you might even start enjoying it. I’m not quite there yet – but apparently it will happen.
Congratulations on joining the work-at-home team – and don’t stress about your weight. Try to make healthy decisions now that you’ve got the flexibility, and enjoy the freedom working from home provides.