More people are working from home. It is a great opportunity for flexible working but there’s a hidden cost. Less movement and more calories will lead to weight gain, especially in a sedentary role. Here’s how to avoid piling on the pounds while working from home.
Get a Routine
If you work from home, you will need to establish a routine so you separate your working life from your personal activities. Your eating habits may need to adapt to your new lifestyle. Make sure you eat a healthy nourishing breakfast, break off for lunch, and plan your evening meal. Regular mealtimes avoids snacking during the day. You can also plan your meals for the week so you cook nourishing food during the evening and use left overs for lunch or combine with a salad.
Drink Water
Water keeps you hydrated and crucially, also makes you feel full so you don’t head for the cookie jar. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, be aware that caffeine dehydrates. So ,keep caffeine to a minimum. Use herbal teas, which are refreshing. Avoid soft drinks as they are full of sugar and will lead to weight gain.
Re-organize Your Food Cupboard
One of the most practical things to do to avoid weight gain is to reorganize your food cupboards. Replace all the sugary snacks with healthy food. Make sure you have fruit and raw vegetables to snack on during the day. It is really tempting to reach for a candy bar when working from home. But if it isn’t there you can’t eat it.
Avoid the Take- Out Meal
A take- out meal is convenient when there’s a deadline to meet or you are too tired to cook. It should be a treat and not a regular habit. These meals are calorie heavy and will make you pile on weight fast if you eat them all the time. Likewise, hyper-processed foods have higher levels of sugar and salt than you think so are not good for a healthy diet.
Find Time to Exercise
If you work from home, chances are you’ll be moving around a lot less during the day. It is very important to take breaks, especially when working with a computer or when sitting for a long time. Use these breaks or schedule in time to exercise. Think about trying some yoga, a walk round the block or even a swim. Make sure you keep fit as you will need your energy to work effectively and keep the weight off your body.
Keep Food Out of Your Workspace
If you have a cookie jar or box of candies in your office or workspace area, get it gone. Keep sweets away from your working area and you will be less tempted to snack during the day. If you are hungry, go to your kitchen area and eat some fruit.
Weight gain is a challenge for those working from home but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. By integrating a few healthy habits into your lifestyle, you will find it easy to maintain a healthy weight as you work from home.