“I’ve gained 20 pounds in the six months I’ve been working at home.” Does this describe you? Without the structure of an office environment, overindulgence is often a problem.
Start by tossing out the foods you tend to overeat — and don’t restock them. Are sweets your downfall? Salty foods such as chips? Pay attention to what you’re snacking on, then get rid of it. Fill the cupboards and the refrigerator with healthy snacks, such as vegetables and other low-fat snacks.
Find ways to not be walking through the kitchen all day long. Structure your work to avoid the kitchen. Set up a coffeepot in your home office. Some people bring snacks and lunch to the “office” to help avoid the kitchen. Once you have reduced temptation, try the following suggestions to decrease the desire to overindulge.
– Work at a relaxed and reasonable pace. The best protection against raiding the refrigerator is to take good care of yourself. Don’t overwork, take breaks, learn to relax.
– Develop “positive addictions,” activities like running, swimming, reading or doing crafts.
– When you feel the urge to raid the refrigerator, take a walk or exercise break instead, or start your day out doing an activity you enjoy.
– You can “treat” yourself in other ways besides eating. Take a break and read a favorite magazine for a while. Take a class you have always wanted to, such as yoga or photography.
– Hop on the Internet and check your favorite bulletin boards.
– Call a friend or business associate.
Take care of yourself, and the tendency to overeat will decrease.
