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Avoiding
the Work-at-Home Weight Gain
It is one of those things that
happen without warning ~ you are enjoying the convenience of being able
to get a snack when you want, take your lunch whenever you get hungry,
and keep those munchies right alongside your keyboard for a quick fix
whenever you need it.
Then you notice it is a little harder to button up those jeans ~ oh, it's
just bloating you think. But finally you have to admit it has gone well
beyond bloating. You have gained weight.
How does it happen? What many people don't realize when they first begin
working at home is that food is just so handy. When you work outside the
home, you have to spend money in the vending machine, or go out of your
workplace to get something to eat. But when you work at home, "free"
food is there for the taking! And you don't have to wait for you coffee
break or lunchtime ~ whenever you get hungry, you can just take a quick
zip trip to the kitchen.
How can you combat this? Well, willpower is helpful, since many find the
temptation too great.
You can set up hours that your kitchen is "open" for service,
just the same way a restaurant or cafeteria is. You can open your kitchen
just between 12 and 1 for lunch, and you can add a zip trip once in the
morning and/or afternoon for a coffee break.
Other work-at-home moms only allow themselves to eat when they are also
sitting their kids down for a meal. But you will have to avoid "snacking"
when your kids snack too. Let's face it, their handful of cheerios is
a lot different than your handful of potato chips.
You can also "bring" your lunch each day ~ make a bag lunch
for yourself in the morning when you make your kid's lunches. Then declare
the kitchen off-limits for the day.
Drink lots of water - you have probably heard it a zillion times, but
many times when people snack, they are not actually hungry, just thirsty.
Consider installing a water cooler right in your office, since many women
who detest tap water find bottled water quite enjoyable. Many coolers
come with a cold tap so you can enjoy ice cold water on hot days, and
with a hot tap, so you can make yourself a cup of tea or diet hot chocolate.
Add a slice of lemon to your water to give it a new tangy taste.
If you are just starting to work at home, or are planning to soon, try
these tips right off the hop. It is habits that are hardest to break!
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