Changing jobs, hoping not to gain size

Ancano
Ancano Posts: 3 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So I have been working a warehouse job the past 6 years. It was very energy consuming, I actually had to increase my diet to keep up with the energy demands. My weight has remained pretty constant during that time and I gained a lot of muscle just from working in the warehouse all day.

Now I am starting a desk job soon and I know I will have to change up my diet and exercise to compensate. I'm already cutting out all the high calorie snacks I consumed at work, then I hope to work on eating less processed food and exercising more after work.

Replies

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,455 Member
    Office jobs are tough for weight, no doubt about that. You're planning ahead, that's really smart.

    My big downfall in my last office job was all the free treats in the break room and the many potlucks, birthdays and going out to lunch.

    I think if I had a new office job I'd make a vow to not eat things I didn't bring in myself. That's a big commitment, though.

  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,085 Member
    I have an office job and definitely need to track my calories to work on losing weight. I don't find it too complicated to maintain at like 20-25 lbs heavier than I should be, but where I should be (or getting there) takes very rigid tracking.

    For me, I couldn't exercise enough to make up for the activity lost from being on my feet all day.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    It's nice to have a standing desk. I also invite all my colleagues to go for a walk to talk things over. (It's amazing the resistance people have to that, actually.)
  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 12,067 Member
    Hope you enjoy your new desk job! Going from working shifts to working a desk has its advantages and disadvantages, and when I tried it fifteen years ago I hated it and rejoiced when I returned to shift work. But now that I'm older, I've enjoyed the switch back to a desk.

    Rather than "cut out" snacks entirely, I recommend swapping out for different snacks. Without knowing what you mean by "high calorie snacks," I believe if you stop snacking at all you'll be hungry like crazy and temptation then grows to eat unplanned office snacks or obliterate dinner meal plans. So if you used to have full sized candy bars, swapping to fun-sized, at least at first, gets you the flavor sensation while cutting down on calories. If it's the crunch you prefer, swapping chips for carrot sticks or pepper slices can give that crunch and jaw motion. Swapping sodas for flavored waters or seltzer water (depending if it's flavor or bubbles you prefer) is another easy calorie-dumping move.

    As far as electing to exercise more outside of work, experience will tell you what time of day works best for you. Some people can leave the office, hit the gym and just go for it. Personally, my performance suffers, and then I feel rushed after to get home, get dinner, etc. For me, getting up earlier than needed and working out before work is my prime time. I've had to adjust my workouts from the old 90 minute standards to a new 45 minutes so I can still get to work on time, but it's been worth it to me. Find your sweet spot.

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