Who works from home?

chercee

Working from home has played a part in my laziness and subsequent weight gain. It's hard to stay motivated when I don't have to put on real pants, and the fridge is right there. I'd love to connect with other folks who work at home, and see if anyone has tips/ideas/motivation.

kluedesigns

i'm self employed and work from home and it does require dedication to not over eat when everything is just a few steps away.

i have a gym in my house now so its much easier for me to exercise during the day instead of having to leave the house during working hrs.

i also go for a long walk in the afternoons with my dog.

emmymcq

I work from home and agree it has contributed to my laziness. I have a desk job, so I try to stand whenever I can, go for short walks around my neighborhood and keep a resistance band by my desk to do quickie stuff. Oh, and I also try to fit in some quick yoga poses. I've been working from home since July 2012 and I think the best thing I've done is actually get dressed and ready for work as opposed to wearing Jammies all day.

jessmart83

I work from home, and it is tough! I pretend the pantry isnt there. In the fridge I have the fruit and veggies cut up right in front so it is the first thing I see when I open it. Keeps me from digging around in there and getting something I probably shouldn't have.

ajhugz

I work from home mostly. I try to get in 90 min of exercise a day because otherwise I'm not that active. I just learned that planning my exercise for the month helps because it becomes a routine. I also try to plan my meals to some extent. I just started taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Feel free to add me.

willow_rb

I make a schedule in my calendar, set up reminders and that helps me stick to workouts. I am also part of a website - neufit.com which makes workouts part of quests and gives you points when you finish them, like in video games - this helps me on the days when the calendar reminder fails to motivate me.
On days it is cold to go outside to walk, I walk to Leslie Sansone in my home...so no weather excuses for me.

Hope these ideas helped a little.

clairebeej

I'm attempting to get some things set up in my home office so that I can sneak in bursts of strength training into my day. Hard to stay motivated but sitting at a desk, constant access to the "snack cupboard" and no reason to leave the house are not doing me any good.

So, here are my tools of torture so far:
Ab ball
Weights and a medicine ball
yogaglo subscription to fit in some moments of zen
Self.com for workouts

...next step is to move a stationary bike into the office so I can hop on that between calls.

I do find that a shower and "office" clothes help me feel a bit more motivated to move too. Ditch those sweats!!

And a friend also suggest packing my lunch each day as if I was going to work - but it doesn't work for me. No matter what healthy snacks I have on my desk I always wander down to the kitchen for cookies. I just need to not keep cookies in the house.

Natihilator

I do. And ditto on all of the above. The grocery store is about a 10 minute walk away, so when the weather's nice it will be my goal to never drive there if I need to go. And to go to the gym every day, I like the routine of going somewhere regularly since I don't have that with my workplace. I don't really need rest days since I do a lot of work from my couch/bed, haha.

KathyPBiles

Ok - I am absolutely the opposite - I recently quit my job and I have to force myself to make sure I eat enough every day (especially since I am logging). I gained weight when I went to work outside the home. Strange I know.

clairebeej

I work from home, and it is tough! I pretend the pantry isnt there. In the fridge I have the fruit and veggies cut up right in front so it is the first thing I see when I open it. Keeps me from digging around in there and getting something I probably shouldn't have.

I need to do this!

RobynMWilson

I work from home part time but even my out of house job calls for sweats. I'm too lazy to wear real clothes now lol Sending FR now!

woodsy0912

Ha I am actually trying to find a work from home job.

What do you guys do and how did you get started working from home?

marycmeadows

I work from home full time currently, and have for a long time. I get up and go to the gym before work (get up at 4am if I have to) and then come back home and work. My gym is a half hour drive from me. Mostly because I work from home, the gym is my social time. I need to get out from these four walls of my house! I also go run or go to the gym on the weekend. My life has changed so much in fact that I'm working on getting certified to be a personal trainer, won't be working from home much longer!!

konerusp

I have been working from home since 2 years,i have managed to not binge or eat mindlessly within this period.
It does require discipline.For me i have a set of base rules (as listed below),i try stick to these as closely as possible.
1.Eat only 3 times a day
2.Do not eat before 8 am or past 8pm
3.wake up by 6am and get in a workout and pack husbands lunch.
4.Take a 10 minute walk after lunch.
5.take a walk after dinner

Im not saying you should follow the same rules, you can figure out what your base rules are,write them on a paper and stick them in a visible place in the kitchen-so everytime you walk in there to get something to eat ,you get reminded of what your rules were.Planning your meals one day ahead also helps to not eat outside what you have planned.You can also keep an alarm every one hour and something like pushups or situps or shoulder presses or jumping jacks each hour for 5 minutes-that will keep you metabolism running.

I have also observed one of my friend wake up and get ready as if they would go to work and have a work desk set up at home so they dont move out of that place except for the restroom or water or lunch break.

jlemesur

I to work from home and I've started to find it quite liberating. On my breaks, I'm never far from healthy snacks that don't cost a fortune. At lunch, I can go for a run, walk or do some exercises and be back at it in no time.

I sit a lot in my job, so I like to stretch when I can. At home, I don't care how I look when I'm stretching.

postrockandcats

Yes and I don't like how little I move. I ended up getting a part time job to offset expenses and was happy to move again.

morielia

I work from home for a global IT company, and I've found that I have more freedom to get to the gym and eat what I need to eat than I did being tied to an office. I go to the gym every day on my lunch break rather than before/after work. I don't have to try to cram my breakfast and my lunch and all my snacks into a small bag or a lunch box anymore. I can run around out in the back yard with the dogs a small 10-minute break. Working from home and being able to do prep (and have my husband cook it) also means that there's no last minute "Crap, I didn't take anything out of the freezer! We're going out to eat." That's not to say that we don't occasionally do that in the mornings (today is a good example of a bad decision), but it's all minimized.

NipsGhost

Also a WAH'er here. I work 3 different jobs from home, all online. Which means I'm sitting anywhere from 14 to 20 hours a day depending on my deadlines. Fresh fruit and veggies are my lifesavers. So is taking constant breaks (which I need anyway from drinking that massive amount of water.)

While sitting I also do silly little things.

1. Butt clenches- one side, one side, both sides
2. Practice kegels
3. Leg lifts
4. Ankle circles
5. Imaginary arm presses (I'm holding nothing, just pretending it's there)
6. Neck, head, and shoulder rolls to keep me from stiffening up
7. Go back and forth from sitting proper (all straight and legs on floor) and slouching- again, to keep from stiffening up
8. Back stretches
9. Push the chair back and touch the floor

During my breaks I try to toss in some cardio- house cleaning vigorously adds up quick

BJPCraig

I'm a substitute teacher, but during the summer and on days when I don't get called in, I work from home. For me, working out actually got easier without losing an hour each way to the commute. My schedule is to treat any day like a school day: Work until 2:30ish, walk the dog, work out, and then work some more.

ashleylynn8888

I run a daycare out of my home. It's hard because I am serving the kids meals and snacks every 2 hours so I'm constantly in the kitchen. It's easiest for me to not keep junk food in the house because if its there I will eat it.

MyChocolateDiet

is this only for people who are home all day and are working? like earning a paycheck?

RHOyalT

I work (and go to school) from home, and usually I do so at the kitchen table. After I eat, I brush my teeth and that helps. I have fresh fruit in a very visible spot. Snacks like pretzels are already portioned in small zip lock bags. Like others say, I workout at home. I have videos, a heavy bag and a few weights and resistance bands.

chercee

Wow! I wasn't expecting this massive response! I'm so glad that I'm not the only one going through this

I've begun working on a schedule, as some of you have recommended. For right now, I walk in the mornings from 7:10-8:10 (MWF). I spin each day (time changes) for 20-30 minutes (yes, I'm that out of shape). On days I don't walk, I choose from my "workout DVD" section of the shelf, and go for it.

The snacking is the worst, I think. Because I've changed a lot about the way I eat, my body hasn't adjusted yet. I'm trying to sort it out and get used to it, but in the mean time, cravings!

I like the idea of putting on real pants, that's probably smart. I should try to get back into the mindset of real life again.

Another issue for me is that I don't have a set work schedule. Sometimes I work mornings, sometimes afternoons or evenings, sometimes a little of each - it makes it hard to get into a routine.

ETA: I've been trying to get up and put on workout clothes, so I can just get up and get out the door, or downstairs to the "home gym" without any excuses.

sriley721

I started to post the same thing today! Weekends are easy for me but weekdays are hard. Like you said the fridge is right there and no co-workers to notice how many trips you make to it. Not wearing "real" clothes every day is scary. When I have to travel I am in a panic because I dont know how real clothes will fit. Its easy to lose track of your weight in yoga pants every day. I think longer days and warmer weather will help, its been a long (and fat) winter.

jjrichard83

I run two companies from home. Occasionally on the road a few days a month. I have found that it makes this easier - more time to prepare food - more time to workout. As long as you set time aside for it!

The hardest part is to become great at time management & multi-tasking is the death of productivity.

NipsGhost

Wow! I wasn't expecting this massive response! I'm so glad that I'm not the only one going through this

I've begun working on a schedule, as some of you have recommended. For right now, I walk in the mornings from 7:10-8:10 (MWF). I spin each day (time changes) for 20-30 minutes (yes, I'm that out of shape). On days I don't walk, I choose from my "workout DVD" section of the shelf, and go for it.

The snacking is the worst, I think. Because I've changed a lot about the way I eat, my body hasn't adjusted yet. I'm trying to sort it out and get used to it, but in the mean time, cravings!

I like the idea of putting on real pants, that's probably smart. I should try to get back into the mindset of real life again.

Another issue for me is that I don't have a set work schedule. Sometimes I work mornings, sometimes afternoons or evenings, sometimes a little of each - it makes it hard to get into a routine.

ETA: I've been trying to get up and put on workout clothes, so I can just get up and get out the door, or downstairs to the "home gym" without any excuses.

One thing I've found that works well is this: If I know I have an appointment during the day, I'll get up shower and put on real clothes. If I don't have an appt. I put on workout clothes. That way I've got no excuse to get in a quickie workout during a break. Not changing in and out of clothes helps keep me motivated.

tedrickp

I to work from home and I've started to find it quite liberating. On my breaks, I'm never far from healthy snacks that don't cost a fortune. At lunch, I can go for a run, walk or do some exercises and be back at it in no time.

Agree with this!

I work from home as well - and while I can definitely pinpoint it being a contributing factor to weight gain, it has actually made losing weight easier in some ways. Like the above poster mentioned.

I have set up a home gym (work in progress) and I find that a workout actually helps my work. If I am frustrated, or distracted at work - I will go for a walk or go lift weights. When I come back I usually find I can keep my focus much better. And while I have access to food at all times (which could be a trigger), I find that access actually allows me to make healthier less processed choices, than when I worked outside the house.

I don't have any tips per se - I know one small thing that helped me was I set up my iCal to pop up pep-talks/reminders a couple times a day. Things like "Dont forget to stay active" or a motivational quote etc... Seems silly but it helps me.

alexveksler

Working from home has played a part in my laziness and subsequent weight gain. It's hard to stay motivated when I don't have to put on real pants, and the fridge is right there. I'd love to connect with other folks who work at home, and see if anyone has tips/ideas/motivation.

Interesting fact is that the 85 pound loss for me was AFTER I started working from home. Something you have to set your mind to it as you would go to the office. Just think, you could go to the office and pack yourself a lunchbox full of snacks. So, having a fridge "right there" doesn't really matter. Focus, determination, planning ahead and staying on schedule are most important. You have a lot more flexibility being at home. Your business calls can be taken while you are on a walk, instead of being at the computer. I save an hour per day on a commute. This extra hour is used towards my workout during the day.

I don't know what you are doing for a living, but I feel there are a lot of great opportunities and flexibility working remotely vs being in the office.

MomPreneur08

I enjoy working from home.. I find myself doing squats at my computer desk most days.. LOL

MomPreneur08

Ha I am actually trying to find a work from home job.

What do you guys do and how did you get started working from home?

Hey there.. look into www.TheInnerCircleLLC.com
Great information and newsletter. Everything there is legitimate work from home. I would know, because that is where my income comes from

fruitloop2

I work from home. I run a small daycare out of my home. I'm pretty busy during the day so don't have a lot of time for snacking. My issue use to be nap time where I would sit in front of my computer and eat chips and other junk food and in the evenings where i would again choose junk over good foods. When I decided on this lifestyle change that was 1 of the hardest changes for me. I decided that that is the time of day for my exercise. So now, I will only surf the net for about 30 minutes and then work out for 30-60 minutes...usually 60. At night I choose healthier snacks if I'm feeling hungry. I make conscientious food choices and keep my goals in my mind.