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Original poster

WFH = weight gain

93 replies

Ms1235 · 09/02/2024 23:11

I've been working from home for the last 5 months and have gained a stone in weight.

Has WFH made you gain?

I find that I don't get dressed properly. As in I wear comfies as opposed to actual clothes, as im in the house.

So when I did get dressed properly, I noticed a lot of my clothes were tight or more snug, than I remember them being.

I think for me, it is easy to snack all day whilst at the desk.

I know I need to sort this, has anyone experienced the same problem?

OP posts:
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Chypre · 26/02/2024 12:41

Opposite. Office means I am too tired to go to the gym/class, I do minimal walk with my dogs, I order takeaway more, there are outings with colleagues - lunches and drinks and being tempted with treats. WFH - I don't have to commute so can go the gym instead or walk my dogs for an hour, I can make my own lunch and dinner, I am not tempted by sugary coffee drinks or doughnuts that HR has brought in for everyone.

Original poster
Ms1235 · 26/02/2024 12:36

Well I've been out walking everyday. Minimum 10k steps.

Not had any snacks and feeling better for it.

I have also been getting dressed and not lounging about in comfies!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ms1235 · 11/02/2024 09:52

Did not snack yesterday. Let's hope I can keep at it!

OP posts:
soberfabulous · 10/02/2024 17:38

Allfur · 10/02/2024 14:58

Wfh means there's more time and flexibility to exercise

Exactly this! I can work out on my WFH days and am so much fitter and healthier since this change.

OP, walk away from the snacks, you've got this!

Original poster
Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 17:16

I haven't had any snacks today. Which I'm pleased about.

I hope I can continue

OP posts:
Emiliaswrath · 10/02/2024 15:18

I'm the opposite, wfh means I have more time to prepare a healthy breakfast and lunch rather than grabbing a cereal bar or muffin on my way out the door and then a sandwich and crisps at work.

Original poster
Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 15:05

Yes. I am going to sort this out.

I've decided I need to take action.

No more comfies.

No more snacks!

OP posts:
Allfur · 10/02/2024 14:58

Wfh means there's more time and flexibility to exercise

Amba1998 · 10/02/2024 14:27

I actually eat better at home. Access to prep of fresh salad etc and no communal sweets

make yourself go out for an hours walk daily

maddiemookins16mum · 10/02/2024 13:58

Eggs for breakfast with crispbreads stop me snacking until lunchtime. And, every 30 mins I get up and march on the spot for 5 and do a Zumba gold work out on you tube after work. Some days WFH i was only doing 2.5K steps a day! Now I’m closer to 7K. I’ve lost 5 pounds in three weeks.

Original poster
Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 12:34

@5128gap yes you're right. I've just gained a bit. Nothing major. But definitely need to sort it before it becomes 2 or 3 stone Blush

OP posts:
AwfulSomething · 10/02/2024 12:29

I’ve lost weight WFH, I eat healthier and my workload is high so I don’t have time to think about snacks. I have more time in the morning for exercise. Without the stress of an office I sleep better which impacts the hunger hormones. My quality of life has improved so much.

Original poster
Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 12:27

@hothotheatbag yes for sure. It's definitely the food. The extras between meals.

It has to stop before I end up even bigger.

Summer is coming. I need my wardrobe back!

OP posts:
5128gap · 10/02/2024 12:27

Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 11:10

I'm going to have to change my habits. I can't continue to gain.

Honestly it's upset me. But it's motivated me to realise I can't eat loads and expect to stay 9stone something.

Without exercise or moderation

Don't be upset. It's very little in terms of your weight and height. You will be carrying it well and are still a healthy weight. I get you want to put a stop to it, and because it hasn't got out of hand, you're starting from a good place of health and fitness. Just see it as a bit of extra tweaking to an already healthy body, rather than some urgent need to redress something terrible, and be positive.

hothotheatbag · 10/02/2024 12:17

Sorry OP also to add it will be food mostly, but instead of saying "reduce carbs" just say "increase protein and fibre" you'll naturally stop wanting carbs.

And take a peek at fasting threads. WFH allows that much easier than office life.

hothotheatbag · 10/02/2024 12:14

I've put on over 10kg in the last 18 months, WFH, menopause, getting older, eating way too many processed carbs and wine and being bloody lazy.

So I've just built an outside gym, and my office is going in there. So I'm now going to be literally working from my gym and I'll have zero excuse not to train.

I used to compete at weightlifting, so I do know how to be lean and lovely and how to eat well and all the things but I appear to be on a unplanned "break" for the last 2 years.

God I hope it works, my willpower and gym love got up and left me at 47, overnight I just stopped being arsed - HRT and new space hopefully combined will get willpower back so I can shift this extra weight and belly.

Good luck OP I know that creeping up on you feeling well, for me when my "comfy" trackies tuned out in fact to be to be my 34" waist husbands was a moment.

KimberleyClark · 10/02/2024 11:54

Not quite the same OP but I’ve put on weight since I retired. No more walking to and from the car park, or to different floors of the building. It’s the only drawback though.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 10/02/2024 11:54

I find even when I make an effort to go a half hour walk at lunchtime, I still do double the steps when I'm in the office.

I think the key is to go a 15 minute walk before work, get out and do some kind of exercise at lunchtime (even if putting some music on and dancing) and another 15 minute walk after work. Which is easier said than done

AhBiscuits · 10/02/2024 11:53

Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 11:52

I must say. No one has said to me. You look live you've gained.

So I must be hiding it well. Or a stone or so hasn't made much of a difference in appearance.

But it has in terms of clothes and also fitness. I get out of breath quite quickly now!

Would you expect them to? Telling someone they look like they've gained weight seems a good way of getting a black eye.

Original poster
Ms1235 · 10/02/2024 11:52

I must say. No one has said to me. You look live you've gained.

So I must be hiding it well. Or a stone or so hasn't made much of a difference in appearance.

But it has in terms of clothes and also fitness. I get out of breath quite quickly now!

OP posts:
theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 10/02/2024 11:50

Thanks @Buggeroffalo 👍

ViaBlue · 10/02/2024 11:44

I love WFH as I can cook my own food and don't have to relay on the ultra processed stuff you get when you buy something ready..
Cut out all refined sugars and the weight will melt away.

Mazuslongtoenail · 10/02/2024 11:34

Lots of people I know say the same but I’m a stone lighter. There was always office cakes and biscuits and a shop below the office that was easy to pop down to. And the office complex canteen had everything with chips.

But I don’t buy sweets and biscuits at home so there’s simply nothing to tempt me. I’m lazy and with no willpower, so proximity to calories will always be the deciding factor for me.

AhBiscuits · 10/02/2024 11:33

I gained a lot when I started WFH. Pre-lockdown, I had a brisk 40 minute walk to the office and back again. At lunchtime I'd walk around town. I was intermittent fasting, in good shape. Our office swapped to 100% WFH forever and in 3 years I gained 3 stone.
I got a new job which is 80% in the office and I cycle there. I've still got 1 stone to lose but I'm getting there. WFH does not suit me, I turn into a complete slob.

SoftPillowAllNight · 10/02/2024 11:32

I noticed this last year so as a rule now, on days I wfh I include a workout - either weights at home or cardio at gym. On days at office I have enough steps to compensate. So everyday I keep moving. And ofcourse keeping away from snacks!!

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