Computer People Type Struggles - What Do You Do?

FellowStriver
FellowStriver Posts: 31
edited October 2024 in Motivation and Support
Hi MFP'ers. I am a programmer and must be on tedious tasks for long periods of time. Don't have the freedom to get up and go for a walk, etc. There's nothing I want more sometimes than a fabulously unhealthy piece of toasted white bread with globs of butter and a coca-cola. It truly does have a (short-lived albeit!) effect of helping me work more energetically.

What do you computer types (or really anybody who has an aspect of complete monotony to their jobs or responsibility, wait - isn't that everybody????) do especially to overcome this temptation?

I am interested to hear since I know there are so many successful mfp'ers out there with wisdom to share.

Replies

  • AussieNikki
    AussieNikki Posts: 168 Member
    Years ago when I worked in a call centre I had the same issue. Basically tied to the desk and PC. I also only had 30 minutes for lunch so I couldn't eat AND go for a walk. So I used to walk in the morning. I would get up earlier and walk for an hour. If you aren't able to do that, how about in the evening?

    Also make sure you have only healthy snacks and food available!
  • Pams_Shadow
    Pams_Shadow Posts: 233 Member
    I'm a programmer too. I've learned to bring my own healthy snacks and lunches with me. It helps me avoid the temptation of the vending machines. I also use my bathroom breaks for little exercise breaks. I do jumping jacks or wall push-ups in the stall, or if i use the handicap stall I'll do some Tae Bo kicks or punch combos. I also make sure and ALWAYS take the stairs and walk the long way for meetings, since every little bit helps. I know that depending on your project you could be working crazy hours, but try to fit in a visit to the gym or a morning/evening walk/jog/run a few times a week.
  • libland
    libland Posts: 284 Member
    Toasting bread in the office (esp raisin bread) should be illegal. :wink: I bring lunch and healthy snacks to work everyday. I make sure to drink plenty of water and gum is my friend. Often I find myself chanting in my head... "nothing tastes as good as healthy feels". It isn't easy and I don't always succeed.
  • FellowStriver
    FellowStriver Posts: 31
    Years ago when I worked in a call centre I had the same issue. Basically tied to the desk and PC. I also only had 30 minutes for lunch so I couldn't eat AND go for a walk. So I used to walk in the morning. I would get up earlier and walk for an hour. If you aren't able to do that, how about in the evening?

    Also make sure you have only healthy snacks and food available!

    Excellent idea. Evening is a little nutty - homework, kids, supper prep, etc, But I think having the discipline to go for a walk in the am (Hey the dog needs it, too!) would be very prudent. Thank you.
  • FellowStriver
    FellowStriver Posts: 31
    I'm a programmer too. I've learned to bring my own healthy snacks and lunches with me. It helps me avoid the temptation of the vending machines. I also use my bathroom breaks for little exercise breaks. I do jumping jacks or wall push-ups in the stall, or if i use the handicap stall I'll do some Tae Bo kicks or punch combos. I also make sure and ALWAYS take the stairs and walk the long way for meetings, since every little bit helps. I know that depending on your project you could be working crazy hours, but try to fit in a visit to the gym or a morning/evening walk/jog/run a few times a week.

    Excellent! I work at home hence the even greater temptation - fridge is SO accessible. I love Tae-Bo - kicks abnd punches in the handicap stall - love it!
  • FellowStriver
    FellowStriver Posts: 31
    Toasting bread in the office (esp raisin bread) should be illegal. :wink: I bring lunch and healthy snacks to work everyday. I make sure to drink plenty of water and gum is my friend. Often I find myself chanting in my head... "nothing tastes as good as healthy feels". It isn't easy and I don't always succeed.

    Amen to toasting bread in the office! Unfortunately, I work at home, hence a wide variety of horrible food choices is accessible :) But I think what I could take from you is to have some healthy snacks already prepared, and only allow those to be raided, so to speak. Thank you for your good advice and humility.
  • AussieNikki
    AussieNikki Posts: 168 Member
    Ok working from home would be hard with all the tempting foods! Maybe set aside all your snacks etc the night before and pre track them so you know exactly what your going to eat during the day.
  • NotGoddess
    NotGoddess Posts: 1,198 Member
    I'm a programmer too. There are some days it seems I have to keep a steady stream of carbs coming or I get brain fog.

    I lucked out with my company's new office: I'm upstairs, the breakroom is downstairs. So every time I grab some coffee or water I get a break and a bit of exercise. To avoid the temptation of vendo-land I have to bring in my own healthy snacks. As long as it fits in your calories, you can still do bread and butter, or whole-grain bread and natural peanut butter. High in calories, but if you skip the Coke it'll probably even out.

    edit: saw that you worked from home. If you do that then you can control what's available to you. It might be harder with others in the house with less healthy options, but just keep the healthier alternatives handy.

    An advantage of working from home is you can set a 'price' on snacking...having to do lunge-walks to the kitchen or 20 chair-dips per snack....something that would look awfully funny if you did it in an office. :)
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