Working from home is slowly becoming the norm. Several companies adopted the set-up to keep their workforce safe from the COVID-19 virus. While working at home has many benefits, and it is definitely much safer than having to commute to work, it has its own downsides.
For some, working at home may be a new concept. However, remote work has been around for years. It isn’t a new idea. In fact, people in Medieval times worked their crafts from their homes. In a 2016 study, 43% of Americans said that they had spent some time working remotely. Before the COVID-19 pandemic started, 4.7 million people were already working from home. That makes up 3.4% of the US workforce.
In a study by Gartner, 88% of the respondent organizations encourage their employees to work from home due to COVID -19. Working from home can be a blessing. You have more time in your hands, and you can dress comfortably as you like. You have your fridge, filled with your favorite food, at your disposal for a quick snack for the whole day.
Since you are at home, it can also be hard to pull yourself up for a jog around the block or a workout session at the gym. After all, it is much easier to drag yourself from your office chair to the living room for some Netflix after your work shift. The next time you stand on your weighing scale, it will be no surprise if you’ve gained some additional pounds.
It is possible to maintain a healthy and lean figure even when working at home. You can opt for cosmetic surgeries such as a tummy tuck for a flatter and toned abdominal area. However, cosmetic surgeries are not a solution for obesity. Without discipline and poor eating habits, you may soon find your tummy growing larger again.
Frequent Snacking Is The Culprit
Snacking now and then will be one of the biggest mistakes that you will make. Create a schedule and stick to it. Set up your day like you would when you are working in an office. Have a healthy breakfast, a quick break, lunch, another small break, then dinner. Do not eat at your desk. Do not skip lunch. Limit your snack and coffee breaks.
You’d have to go to the cafeteria for a sandwich and a cup of your favorite brew in an office setup. It’s another story when the food and coffee are just a few steps away from your desk. Mindless eating can easily make you gain weight, especially when you take in more calories than your body can burn.
Load your meals with high-quality proteins to curb the incessant cravings that make you want to snack frequently. Eat high-fiber foods and opt for water instead of those sweet drinks that are rich in calories.
Reducing your intake of processed foods and eating whole foods can also help you maintain your ideal size and weight. Eating fruits and vegetables and avoiding trans fats and added sugars can help you avoid packing those extra pounds. Fruits and nuts for your snacks are more nutrient-dense than a bag of potato chips and can help you lose weight.
Avoid Sitting All Day
When you burn fewer calories, you are at risk of gain weight. Sitting does not help you burn your calorie-intake, leaving you with excess calories. Even standing and walking burn calories, so make sure you stand up once in a while. Walk around the house, or do some light stretching. Do not put everything that you need on your desk so that you will have to stand up, even to get that glass of water.
Sitting all day is linked to weight gain and several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Stand up every hour. Walk around for 10 minutes. You can use this time to step out, get some sun, and breathe some fresh air to clear and refresh your mind.
Before or after work, engage in chores that will get your body moving, such as gardening and cleaning the house.
Find Time For Exercise
Set aside time in the morning for your daily exercise. Exercising in the morning on an empty stomach is the best time for you to do your workout. You’ll find that you will burn more calories and lose weight faster. Your body can best burn those stored fats in the morning. A study even shows that doing a 45-minute exercise in the morning helps reduce your cravings for food.
Your morning exercise also promotes better mental health, boosts your productivity, and reduces your risk of depression. So put on your running shoes for a quick morning run. By the time you hit your desk, you will feel more energized and ready to take on your tasks for the day.
No matter your working setup, maintaining a healthy weight is important for your well-being. Eat right and stay active for a healthier and fitter you.
