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One of the hardest things about working at home is trying to keep from snacking all day. When I used to work in an office there were always temptations. The endless birthdays with their cakes, the vending machines, and the cafeteria that beckoned with popcorn or cookies in the afternoon. It was easy to resist though because it meant getting up from my desk and going to get it.

Most of the time now I am working at my kitchen table, which means that my refrigerator and pantry are steps away. It hasn’t been as easy to lose the baby weight as I thought because I find that I am constantly eating something. I’ve decided that now is finally the time to get into shape though and here are ten ways that I am hoping will help.

1)Keep to regularly scheduled meal times. Just as you had a schedule for eating lunch and breaks when you worked out of the home, you should stick to a schedule at home too. Don’t allow yourself to snack outside of those times unless it is the bowl of carrot sticks that you conveniently leave next to your computer.

2)Join Weight Watchers. Studies have shown that this is the only diet program out there that actually works at helping you lose weight and keeping it off. Half diet plan, half support group it can be super helpful in giving you a plan to follow. You can either join online or go to a meeting in your area. Most even offer sessions that you can bring your children to.

3)Find a gym. Gyms do not have to be super expensive anymore. Look around and you are sure to find one in your area that charges under $20 a month for full access to all of the equipment. There is a gym down the road from me that charges $9.95 a month and another $5 a month per child for childcare. Even if you can’t find a gym that cheap, think of it as investing in your total well being. Not only will you be getting some physical activity in, you will also be enjoying some much needed “me” time. How much is that worth to you for three work-out sessions a week?

4)Get a workout video. If you can’t join a gym, then find a workout video that you love and schedule three sessions a week. Your local library probably has a decent selection of ones that you can get for free. Plus you will be able to return it for something new when you get bored.

5)Go walking every day. Most children love to go for walk either sitting in their stroller or a wagon. My daughter has a tricycle with a push handle in back for me. We have spent many hours going around the block to my daughter’s delight. If the weather is poor consider going to the mall to walk. Sure there are temptations galore with the smoothies, pretzels and coffee stands, but leave your money and ATM card in the car.

6)Find an online support group. Just as there are message boards about bird watching, knitting, and babies, you can certainly find ones on weight loss and exercise. Look around to find one that appeals to you. Are you a vegetarian looking for a yoga program? Want to know the best way to make cabbage soup appealing? Google it and I am sure you will find a forum to fit your needs.

7)Throw away the junk food. I’m not sure about you but I have a hard time throwing food away. For some reason it seems better to eat it and pack on the pounds than let it go to waste. It is far better to get rid of it though because otherwise when you are hit with food cravings at 3 o’clock in the afternoon you will have to turn to a healthy choice.

8)Stock your fridge and pantry with good choices. Because you will have food cravings at 3 o’clock make sure the things you reach for are great choices. Cut up veggies, fruit, raw unsalted nuts, hummus and hard boiled eggs are all healthy options that will fill you up without packing on the pounds. In moderation of course!

9)Drink plenty of water. You should be drinking sixty four ounces of water every day to stay hydrated. Fill a pitcher with the correct amount every morning to keep in your fridge. That way it will be nice and cold and you can keep track of how much you have taken in and how much more you need to drink. If you are not a big fan of plain water try flavoring it with lemon slices or a splash of juice.

10)Play with your children. Running after your kids can be a workout in and of itself. Get up and move with them with a fun game of tag or dance along to some music.

What are some of your tips for staying fit and keeping off the pounds while working from home? Have you found working from home to be bad for your waistline? I’ll report back as to how my progress goes.

Warmly,
Mia