So since Wednesday, I have been working from home…
…BOO!
I know it’s a hell of a thing to complain about, since a lot of people would love the opportunity, but I am less than enthused. The office can be annoying at times, but I like the structure. I’m less tempted to give into food and more motivated to workout, since I can do it on my lunch break.
At home, it seems like all of that goes out the window. I don’t HAVE to take a lunch break, and I have access to a full kitchen of crap.
I signed on the be a teleworker last year, and after a few weeks I decided I really didn’t like being at home all the time, so I started going back into the office. However, due to issues with my director and my supervisor, I needed to start working at home, full time, immediately. I asked if I could just go back to being an office worker, but my supervisor wants me to hold off for the time being.
I know it sounds wierd, and kind of stupid, but hey, it is what it is :/
The past few days have been kind of rough, but I’m going to try to make the best of it, and trying to make it work. It’s just going to make some more motivation and determination on my part. With that said, part of me is thinking Yeah, I’m screwed, while another part of me is saying Yeah, you got this!
Hopefully it’s the latter.
One plus though, I found 30rock on Netflix and have added the series to my instant queue. I am already through Seasons 1 and 2. 
Do any of you work from home? How do you manage to keep the diet and exercise going without the structure?
In other news, its FRIDAY! I hope you all have a good weekend!
You already know my jealousy on this work from home issue, and how I’d swtitch places or join you in your place of employment in a heartbeat. FA-REAL-E-YO!!! I also know that the lack of structure might hinder your productivity and make it hard to stay focused.
I also hope whatever work issues you are dealing with work themselves out for the best.
I’m home with my daughter all day, and working too… so I don’t buy anything I could wreck my diet with. That way I can’t possibly screw up with food. Plus, I set myself a schedule and eat meals and snacks at a particular time. I also schedule in exercise.
I’ve been working on my own at home for about a year and a half … and I love it. When I worked in an office I was actually much more unhealthy than I am now that I can set my schedule and control my environment. I used to go out for lunch, for example, which is never a good thing for a diet. A simple wrap can cost 700+ calories! Or then there’s the office food that always seems to be around. And then I’d be tired by the time I got home and not work out, opting instead to just watch TV and eat.
Now that I work from home, I have the time to make healthy meals. I make the time to go the gym in the middle of the day when it’s empty. I know all I’ve got at home is healthy food (and I otherwise stay out of the Beau’s unhealthy cabinet.
It’s probably a structure and environment thing for me. When I’m on target, I do a good job of keeping that structure intact and sticking to my goals much better than when I did in an office, where I was just stressed all the time and thus ruining myself.
The only downside is that I find I get a little stir crazy. When I first started working from home I had a fitness center in my apartment building, and I realized I was going for a week or more without actually leaving the building. Now I have to get out once a day at least or I go nuts – which is good motivation to get to the gym.
Losing Weight Daily´s last blog ..Small Victories
Considering how my only “job” right now is blogging, gyming, eating, cooking and working out, I spend a lot of time at home. And I’ve learned to love it and enjoy it for what it is. Because pretty soon, law school starts for me and that’s just going to be…insane. I’m actually kind of scared about it.
So I don’t know, maybe embrace the comfort of home. You can do work naked. You can shower 50 times a day if you want to. You can do crunches in between work. You can plank in between your clients. You don’t have to see your boss’s face every morning. You can wake up when you want. You can eat when you want. So relish in the freedom. I mean, you have an awesome opportunity to just kick it (and watch 30 Rock!).
I mean, maybe stock your kitchen with less crap? OR! Cook more. Maybe set a goal to cook yourself a dinner every day, so like you can start preparations during your self-imposed lunch breaks.
I know you can do it Steve. You’ve got the Half. Stay focused
Jess´s last blog ..Day 81: Stepping Outside the Box
I’ve been self-employed for five years now and I don’t ever want to go back.
I like the freedom of doing what I want to do each and every day. And having a kitchen full of healthy food, makes monitoring what I eat that much easier.
Then like others pointed out, when I get bored I hop to the gym or go do something else.
I like it..
Jay´s last blog ..Distractions & Getting Stuff Done
I wish I worked from home…I think it would be easy to stick to my diet, etc! I have to pack up food and lug it with me between two jobs! I seem to do a lot better on my days off, because I don’t have to plan everything I’m going to need to eat throughout the day to keep from getting hungry and falling off the wagon.
It certainly is convenient to graze at home. I have more trouble staying on track with food at home than at work.
I have to say, though, that it’s unusual that they WANT you to work from home. Where I work, they like having you in the office where it’s convenient to interrupt you, and where they can keep a proverbial eye on you.
I never saw 30rock until Netflix. Great show!
I’m like Erin and really wish I could work at home. Of course, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and for all I know I would hate it. I don’t know. I can see why it could be burdensome without the structure though. Good luck regardless!
Josie´s last blog ..I Want to be a Runner
UMMM yep! I school my kids and run my Hubs business…I am home a lot and do find it very difficult….totally can relate
I keep the kitchen closed! There are times I forget this but in general it works. The fact that the kitchen is on a different floor than where I spend most of my day helps. I definitely think structure helps, that’s why so many people struggle on weekends. The bonuses though, treadmill at home, dogs for walks there are things to do other than eat. Close the kitchen, physically if you can it helps.
Alison´s last blog ..Boring Day for the Dogs
I have worked from home for years and I love it… would not ever take a job again that had me going to an office every day.
It is something that you have to be disciplined about… just like not watching TV all day.
Thanks buddy!!! Love your blog!
WeighDownSouth.com
Rob Dyess´s last blog ..Portion Distortion
Hey Steve,
While I don’t work from home – I do occasionally take days off just to get caught up at home. Between these days, and weekends – these are definitely my most challenging days – and it really is because of the availability of food….just a few feet away.
And … you CAN do this!!
Lance´s last blog ..Twenty Six Point Two
I know exactly what you mean Steve. I get to work from home on occasion, and it’s definitely much more difficult to stay on track. What I usually do is bring all my snacks for the day with me to the office downstairs, and that’s all that I get for the day – just as if I were going to work normally.
Brandon´s last blog ..Weekly weigh-in #16: Physics Diet edition
I hear ya! Can you clear the crap outta the kitchen? That’s what I did much to the grumbles of my kids. Also, I have a ‘schedule’ it helps keep me on track, I have it all in my blackberry calendar and it beeps at me when it’s time for each new thing. Sounds weird, but I gotta have some structure.
I work in cubicle land but can totally see how the less structure could mess with you! We are getting ready at work to switch off and have a work from home day once a month and I will have to form a plan, I am so regimented in my work day now.
I think if I worked from home I would have a tough time. I would be facing awful temptation. We don’t keep a lot of junk in our house but I would just be tempted to eat all day… even the good stuff. Hang in there. I also wanted to mention, I’ll be putting a donation into your marathon next month for the fund raising. It will probably be some time next week when we finalize our check book and I know what I have! I hope the fund raising is going well for you.
Lynne Garcia´s last blog ..Eagle Valor 5K Results, Mission: Slimpossible, And Official Weigh In
I think it’s hard because you’re not used to it and don’t have a routine like you do at work. And kitchen needs to be a safe food place too. Those were my two keys to success at home. I have a schedule here with school and food and working out. It took a few weeks to really figure out what worked best but it CAN be done and you will totally rock this.
I have the option of working from home or in the office, and I choose office. The structure helps me keep myself on-plan.
Harry´s last blog ..Weigh-in #31: same old!
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling on top of things right now! Everyone struggles from time to time with weight loss programs, but you’ve come so far and you will be able to keep going. If you’re finding it tough just use the vision of successes you have had in the past and will have in the future to keep you strong and empowered!
The grass is always greener! Right before Christmas I started working in my hometown cutting out a commute of about 30-40 minutes. I thought it would be great b/c I would save that time and apply it at the gym AND I wouldn’t be able to stop at Starbucks everyday… (that made me sad) But now it’s so much easier to go home for lunch and watch an instant show on netflix and mindlessly eat something crappy. ugh. I guess it’s all about structure? or something. I’m getting there. the sad part is that my gym is right next door also…
i’ve worked at home for 20+
maaan Im late to the proverbial party BUT…
Ive worked from home for years now (writing) and Ive actually found it far easier.
When I worked in an office it was always SOMEONES birthday or SOMEBODY baked and brought the stuff in for us all to try and we were ALWAYS going out for lunch and drinks and snacks etc.
it is kinda hard some days (I love to snack while I work and did gain 15 pounds when I wrote my last manuscript) but once I decided no meals in front of the computer I seem to be doing far better.
stock the fridge with only healthy options.
I know its trite—but it works
Carla
Miz´s last blog ..New Two Fit Chicks & A Microphone podcast.
Um yah, I would be thrilled to work from home!! But I do get the readily available food temptation too. Just keep chugging water, you’ll burn calories from every time you have to get up & go potty, HEHE.
I think it would be extremely tough to work at home, because I snack constantly at home. At work, I have a lunch break and bring a few healthy snacks. I do ‘graze’ nonstop when I have a kitchen full of food, though!
Do you know of Lori at Finding Radiance? She works at home and posts lots of pics of her food and talks about workouts. She has lost 105 pounds and she rocks!