To think WFH routines are really hard?

[AnAwesomePossum]

Just that, really.

Like many, I’ve been WFH for over a year. I’ve been told I’m the only one from the office that can be continually WFH with all others being hybrid. I’m really pleased on one hand. My DS starts school round the corner this year so I’ll be able to structure my work around him and keep life settled and easy. On the other hand, my routines are fucked. I used to wake at 5:30, walk to the gym (45 mins) an hour there, 30 mins to shower/get ready, start between 8-8.30. Once a week I’d have an evening class instead. Most days was walk back from work (picking up DS on the way back). Every minute was accounted for, but all worked around having to get to/from the office. I was slim, fit and healthy.

Now, I roll out of bed 8-8.30ish, shower, log on. That’s it. I’ve put on over a stone. I’m less stressed, but more miserable. I’m worried if it continues I’m just going to get fatter, lazier and more miserable. But I also don’t want to go back to the office.

So I think, even though my life is more low key now, it’s actually really hard without routine - and finding a routine at home is harder than working round structured ‘out of home’ work. Am I wrong - and if you do it, how?

Once your dc is at school, your routine will be fixed. I work from home but up at 6.30, get ds up by 6.45, out of the house by 7.30, drop ds at school bus, home by 8. I don't even think about work until then.

I’m glad I’m not alone. I’m so disappointed in myself in many ways as I have at least an hour (if not two) non-commute time but for some reason it’s so hard to structure that time when it was so much easier as counting it part of the commute.

Yes, DP used to do a lot of the mornings before the breakup/ lockdown so I didn’t have to worry out those. He still is now, but if it doesn’t work out, well I don’t know what will happen.

And yes, I think that’s taking up a lot of emotional energy. I’m trying to make things work but I’m not sure if the cost is my own self-care.

Eating - I definitely do eat more now. I used to be so busy I would have coffee for breakfast and grab something quick for lunch. Now I do tend to snack. I also drink more, and earlier without the gym/commute to break up the day.

I don’t want to give up my privileged position of WFH but I need to make it work to my benefit and not let it be to my detriment.

I like the idea of dropping DS off and doing something. It would probably be a 20 minute work out at home but his school is literally 4 minutes away (at a 3 year old pace), so should be easy to fit in. I suppose I could start trying it out now by doing the walk/“commute” and getting back into the house with a different frame of mind.

I struggle too, so I'm trying to do small things. Right now rather than long workout sessions I do short breaks during work - 5 to 10 minutes of cross trainer/walking/dancing, it all adds up and it boosts my motivation at work. So a win-win.

By the way, I'm not a dancer, but I found that putting headphones on and just doing some crazy dance moves is a great and fun workout.

There are other benefits which my ds loves.

Occasionally I will spend 20 mins of my wfh lunch hour making pizza dough. I put it in a bowl in the airing cupboard. By 6pm it is perfect and ds gets home made pizza for supper, his idea of bliss. It's nice to have the opportunity

I thrive on routine and i've been unable ti shift my baby weight whilst being at home. I've been back at work since April and back at the gym since May and i'm around half a stone down already.

I can't seem to stop myself snacking at home. Plus now that gyms are open again, i'm using that as a chance to meet up with a friend and do a class together, which keeps me motivated as well.

OP sounds like you have had some big changes this year!!

I am on my own with DS4 and a small walk to nursery and now perm WFH. I love it. I do a 7am online PT class, get him ready and sometimes run after I drop him off. Home and showered before work. Having that routine really helps me.

I’m really impressed with all you have managed to re-adapt so quickly. I think, with everything else going on, I’ve treated this as a hiatus and now I know this can be future if I want I need to reshape it to a way to of life. I’m a bit scared - I did a 20 minute HIIT last week and I was dying whereas before lockdown I was painfully competitive to be the best. It feels laughable now.

Small steps then. Introduce small walks now before I start work (maybe just up to school and back). Add-on a small workout before work. Get up half hour earlier. Little things.

I’m glad I’m not alone but really pleased to see others have adapted. Thank you!

OP it's really important to focus on the here and now and not to compare current you to previous gym you ( I have to remind myself of this when deadlifting 20kg bar with no weights).

Also if your DS is 3, make the things you do with him as active as possible! I used to take DS out on balance bike (then pedal bike for 4th birthday) and he would go fast enough that I could jog with him, even 30 mins of that will help get you both fit!

I do a quick 20 min workout in between dropping kids off before switching my laptop on. It's better than nothing and I find I'm more motivated to do it at that time than later in the day like when I was in the office (and it never ended up happening half the time)