Working from home & losing weight

PatriNina
PatriNina Posts: 154 Member
edited November 8 in Motivation and Support
I've been using MFP for almost 3 years now. I did great for 2 years and lost more than 100lbs but I quit MFP and got back into old habits.

The 2 years that went great for my weight loss were the final 2 years of my university studies. It was easy to get into a routine and I was only cooking for myself, even though I lived with my family. I used to eat once a day and just felt amazing.

I started quitting MFP when I started to date, my now husband and things haven't been the same since then. He is a great motivator but my problem is not having the high concentration level that I had before. And I can't cook for just one meal, because he works a lot and needs food, and I would feel bad for not joining when he eats.

I also started working as a freelancer online so I work from home, so food is always around. I want to stick to MFP because it's the only thing that worked for me.

Any advice? :) How can I make myself concentrate?

Replies

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Get yourself a routine and start creating habits.

    Rethink your mindset and see whether it helps or hinders, question whether its importnat or an excuse.

    fact is youve done it before so you know what to do. Just follow the MFP basics and find a diet that works for you.

    If you have to eat with hubby, thats fine but is anything stopping you eating a smaller portion?

    Dont have tempting food round if you cnat resist, have some alternatives or exercise it to earn back the eatback calories.

    Make a list of all the things thats preventing you from losing and then figure out a solution or alternative strategy. marry that up with the MFP plan on deciding your deficit logging food and doing some exercise. Then its just a case of doing it.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    I work from home and cook meals which I share with DH and DD (we all eat the same thing). What I did that worked for me was really focus for 3 weeks on setting up good habits. It was tough, but I pre-logged all the day's meals first thing in the morning and worked out exactly what I was going to eat. It took a huge amount of stress off my mind - I didn't have to make any snap decisions at the table of what I was going to eat. I did it when DH was on a 3 week business trip (so, I got something positive out of it!), but maybe choose a time when you don't have a whole lot going on and you can really dedicate a big space in your brain for it?

    DH and DD ate exactly the same thing as me (still do). I use the recipe builder a lot, but gave myself smaller, weighed-out portions than DH. My cooking has changed (more "healthy" fats, more lean protein, more fiber, more vegetables, more spices and herbs, more beans and lentils, but it wasn't really related to losing the weight), but it's all food that's healthy for every body, not just mine! If DH is still hungry, he is welcome to help himself to more, or get something else extra to eat, like a piece of bread or extra fruit or whatever he wants, but the core of the meal is what I prepare.

    I found I needed to work hard on distractions to start with, with so much food so readily available all the time. Whenever I had the munchies (my kitchen is literally 10 ft from my office) I would get up and make myself a cup of tea or cup of coffee. I was in the kitchen, but refraining from eating, and every time I did that I felt more empowered.

    It CAN be done, just takes a bit of thought and planning.
  • PatriNina
    PatriNina Posts: 154 Member
    Thank you for the advice. It's especially nice to hear from someone that was in the same situation. I'll try it out! :)
  • tmoser512
    tmoser512 Posts: 28 Member
    I work from home too. I know the struggle! 2 things that help me are to not keep junk food readily available and to move more.

    If the food is there and doesn't take effort to prepare, I'll eat it.
    In an office, I'd have to get up throughout the day to go to the copier, walk from my car/back to my car, to the bathroom, to the break room, etc. I don't do any of this at home so I try to make sure that I get up and move around frequently throughout the day.

    I'm still overweight and haven't quite mastered this, but at least I am not gaining which I think is a step in the right direction.
  • feralkitten1010
    feralkitten1010 Posts: 219 Member
    I second the notion of creating a routine. I work from home a couple days of week. One meal a day worked for you in the past, but given your new life, it is no longer feasible. Rearrange your daily intake to something you feel comfortable with so you can enjoy meals with your husband. Your body will adapt to the new adjustment. :smile:
  • kristimason3
    kristimason3 Posts: 131 Member
    I'm at home as well. I find it easier being home. You tend to cook more and eat out less. I do frequently make two meals, one for the hubby and kids and another for myself. I just time my cooking so we are all eating at the same time.good luck.
  • YallaEsma1
    YallaEsma1 Posts: 14 Member
    I am late on this thread - but still jumping in :)
    I just accepted a job offer that will have me working from home. I am actually really excited about the impact it will have on my fitness goals, because I think it will give me more flexibility in my workouts. No hauling clothes to the gym for my lunch hour, showering in the gym shower, rushing back to the office... I can pop in a DVD at home and have at it!
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