Working at Home and Getting Off My Butt

HomeatWDW · January 2017

I posted about this last year when I was freelancing and had a flexible schedule. Then I got a new work-at-home job last summer with a much more regimented schedule that keeps me at my computer for all day. I'm sure there are many others out there in the same boat. It's caused me to add some pounds, but I'm trying a few strategies now:

10 minute yoga stretch routine in the morning before I start
Lunch time walk outside
Pre-planning healthy lunches and having the items readily available in the house
Wearing a fitness tracker with inactivity reminders
Taking the dog on walks as a little break
Standing at my alternate computer setup for short periods

It's so easy to get so engrossed in my work or get tied up with meetings that I forget to move or start snacking on junk food. I love working at home, but the isolation makes it easy to be sedentary so it's a constant battle. I know it's all about keeping up my motivation,

CafeRacer808 · January 2017

I work from home as well. Thought I'd love it, but it's actually quite difficult at times, especially when trying to lose some pounds. With regard to getting out of the chair and moving around a bit, I've been using the Pomodoro Technique for the past year and it's been really helpful. There are Pomodoro timer apps for both mobile and desktop, which are really helpful.

http://lifehacker.com/productivity-101-a-primer-to-the-pomodoro-technique-1598992730

lorrpb · January 2017

I find I need to take several intentional walks each day--morning, lunch time, and evening...the times that commuters commute. Leslie Sansone has some short 5-10 min routines on you tube that provide a good break too.

Therealobi1 · January 2017

What about when you finish work
I am missing working from home I am moving so much less now.

HomeatWDW · January 2017

I'm good about getting out to walk after work most days. I do virtual races and am in a 200 miles in 200 days challenge that I've nearly completed, even though it's only halfway through, so I'm going for 400. I'm going to hang the medals in my office to act as inspiration.

I'll check that Pomodoro Technique for sure. I've also started walking the dog in the morning before work (my husband usually does that), although that doesn't work too well sometimes if he doesn't do what he needs to do in a timely fashion and I have a meeting first thing that I need to be back for.

__TMac__ · January 2017

I've worked at home for 13 years. I actually like to get out to the gym because otherwise I don't get out much. But my schedule is flexible so it's easier to manage. I also do half push-ups while I'm microwaving my coffee, and pace while on conference calls.

HomeatWDW · January 2017

Isn't a flexible schedule wonderful? I had one for many years while freelancing until I moved to this structured job. I do still have some flexibility, but most of the time it's very meeting-driven. I try to make an effort to get up and move between meetings, even if I only have a few minutes. My Garmin loves to nag/remind me.

__TMac__ · January 2017

I think your standing desk could be a real help with this, actually. I'm pondering getting one. It would probably be better for me than just working in bed all day.

michellemybelll · January 2017

i love working from home so much! Been doing it for the past 2 years or so; i find it much easier to manage my calories and food. i don't get quite as much social interaction, but i tend to be a bit of an introvert, so it works with my personality. although, sometimes i do fear my social skills are diminishing. lol.

MelanieCN77 · January 2017

Same. I have the Apple Watch reminding me if I've been sitting for the best part of the hour and I always take note when it bugs me and get up. It might just be going downstairs and getting some tea, or I may go outside and see the animals for a few minutes, but something. I also have the other AW goals to meet and it works for me, checking off lists and ticking boxes. I love being able to make all my food and eat when I need to.

jpena412 · January 2017

Just as someone else mentioned, depending on the content and structure of the meeting, I will purposely try to pace through my house for at least a portion of the meeting. I'll also try to do a quick round of push ups or sit ups while my coffee is heating, food is cooking, or immediately before a meeting start up

Dead_Darling · January 2017

I work from home and I love it! I hated the office life and drama that came with it, so my job is perfect. Plus, I get to spend time with my cat lol. The only drama I get now is when he walks all over the laptop. Perfect! My colleagues and students love it anyway.
I do a 10 minute Tabata workout on Youtube in between my class and have a hearty lunch after that class. When I have finished for the day, I do Insanity and some Fitness Blender workouts. Youtube is great!
I also try to eat every 3 hours, so by the time it's 7pm, I have eaten my calories for the day and can focus on doing more work in the evenings.
The key thing is to prepare your meals and figure out what works best for you.
Good luck!

Sam29a · January 2017

I work part time at an office (a 4-hour commute there and back!) which I like, but I barely have the energy, or time, after work to do exercise those days. I work the rest of the time at home and I'm also a part-time student - so spend long stretches sitting in front of the laptop. I recently have started exercising at home. I'm currently doing the 30-day shred. It's about 30 minutes long and I do it after I've finished work for the day.

fitbethlin · January 2017

I pace during meetings and use the Pomodoro technique as well - breaks are either situps, pushups, or walking the stairs at my house.

kittybenn · January 2017

These are all such great suggestions. I work at home too and just signed up for the Daily Burn True Beginner plan, something I said I would never do, but it's great. I absolutely love it. SO convenient to just get up from my desk at home and do the program. About 20 mins-1/2 hour. Nobody at work will miss you for that amount of time, I don't think. I swear I'm not on their payroll, but If you use this link: dailyburn.com/goodhousekeeping you can get it for free the first month, $11.21 the 2nd month and $15 a month after that. That seems like plenty of time to figure out if you like it for very little money.

duncan04 · January 2017

Working from home is awesome! I do a short workout in the morning. I set my Fitbit and Apple Watch (love having both) set for hourly reminders so I don't get a crick in my neck/back from hunching over the computer. At lunchtime I do another short workout. I'm on the phone a lot so I have a Bluetooth headset so I can walk around. Don't get frustrated. You sound motivated and there's so many here on this thread with GREAT ideas! Support and Motivation for you.

duncan04 · January 2017

Anyone with an Apple Watch who want to share fitness data ...happy to motivate

rainbow198 · January 2017

I work and workout from home:

- Usually during the week I do 2 a day workouts when I'm up for it. Nothing intense. One early morning workout for about 30 minutes and another after dinner. I love Youtube workouts and I have a lot of fitness dvd's.

- I have a mini-stepper in my office and I will get on there for about 10 - 15 mins at a time. Just enough to get my heart rate up, but I don't sweat.

- Sometimes I will put on a Leslie Sansone Walk at Home video. 1 mile is about 15 minutes.

- I do walking lunges in my hallway or I jog in place.

- I solved my heavy snacking issue by eating bigger more filling meals. They keep me satisfied until my next meal so I don't need to snack. Also I drink a lot of water and unsweetened tea.

- Also when watching TV I do push-ups, leg lifts, squats etc.

Good luck!

Working at Home and Getting Off My Butt

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