The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown led to many companies incorporating work-from-home policies. Even after the lockdown, some companies have kept the work-from-home policy. Due to this, a lot of people now work from the comfort of their homes. While this new policy has advantages like having to dictate your work schedule, it can also be disadvantageous in some ways; one being fitness.
One of the major challenges remote workers face is the issue of weight management. Many of them find it hard to take charge of their diet and keep a healthy lifestyle. If this describes you, then this article is for you. We have compiled six strategies to help you keep fit and healthy while you work from home. Alternatively, you can consult Nu Image Medical for more professional advice.
Why Do People Gain Weight While Working From Home?
Snacking More Often
Since you’re working from home, you have easier access to your fridge, and you can decide to eat as much as you want. This can easily make you gain unwanted and unplanned calories.
Skipping the Gym
Most people have reported that working from home has made them less motivated to visit the gym. This is a normal response for people who spend a bulk of their active daytime in the office. Unfortunately, after a while, you will start to notice the repercussion of skipping the gym. For one, you may start to experience low energy and an increase in waist circumference.
Living a More Sedentary Lifestyle
Several studies have shown that inactivity can cause weight gain faster than eating habits.
Unfortunately, working from home encourages a sedentary lifestyle, which can quickly lead to weight gain.
Six Ways To Keep Fit And Remain Healthy.
Prepare Your Lunch Ahead of Time
Working from home not only allows you to dress in pajamas throughout the day, but you also tend to eat convenience foods rather than nutrient-filled foods. Most times, this happens due to a lack of preparation.
When you fail to prepare your lunch ahead of time, you may find yourself eating anything accessible out of proportion. To beat this, ensure you set a time to pack your lunch before you start working. Also, ensure you stick with your lunchtime. This way, you get to eat healthy foods at the right time.
Take Breaks To Refresh Instead of snacking
Another way to manage your weight is by sticking to a schedule. Draw a timetable and follow it. Working from home has a way of letting you surf the net aimlessly; however, you can beat this by having a schedule to guide you through the day. You can start your day with simple exercises before you sit at the computer. Also, ensure you have breaks in between your timetable. This way, you don’t have to sit at a spot throughout the day.
Stock Your Fridge With Healthy Items
When you work from home, your kitchen or fridge may quickly become your best go-to location. What you have in your fridge and kitchen contributes to your weight management. If your fridge contains healthy meals like apple slices, hummus, raw veggies, almonds, and air-popped popcorn rather than high-calorie foods, you will be able to maintain a healthy weight and live a healthy lifestyle.
Drink a Lot of Water Throughout the Day
Working from home makes you want to snack at intervals. However, if you sip water regularly instead, you will feel fuller and eat a lesser amount of food. It will also make you forget snacking. No wonder water is categorized as an effective weight loss aid. Ensure you drink a cup of water before every meal and sip it slowly. This way, you will also notice a decrease in your BMI, body fat, and overall weight.
Eat More Protein
Did you know protein-rich foods can help you achieve your weight loss goals? They make you feel satiated for a long period; hence you have less appetite for additional meals. Protein-rich foods also improve your blood sugar response to meals, especially if you have diabetes. For example, you can eat a milk-based snack about 30 minutes before your main meal.
Get Adequate Sleep
Working from home can make you stay glued to your device for longer than you intend and deprive you of quality sleep. However, sleep deprivation can make you less effective and also affect your metabolic activity, which in turn leads to unplanned weight gain. Ensure you set your sleeping time and stick with it.
In case none of the tips mentioned above is working for you, maybe it’s time to consult professionals to help you achieve your weight loss goals from the comfort of your home.
