It’s so much easier to focus on diet and exercise when I’m not working

[Anonymous]

Yes, I know that’s an obvious statement but I’m really enjoying being off this week, and getting exercise and eating well has been pretty effortless. I’m dreading going back to work and feeling exhausted, strapped for time and stressed. I simply do not have the capacity to exercise during the work week (chronic illnesses, both of which cause fatigue) and I barely get through my obligations as it is. I went through a time period of forcing myself to get up at 5am to exercise before work and the exhaustion and strain on my body sent me into a flare that took me months to recover from. If only working wasn’t necessary...

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. I’m one of the few I know that always loses weight on vacations. It’s just easier for me to be active and make healthy choices when I’m not exhausted.

[Anonymous]

The stress of work, the deadlines, the needing to be two places at once all of the time kept me thin. I had no time to eat!

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree! I have so much more energy when I'm not working! Exercise and diet doesn't feel like a chore at all. Sad it can't be that way all the time.

[Anonymous]

I hear ya. I am at a desk a LOT at my job and while I’m never NOT busy, it’s still somewhat boring and I find myself constantly fighting the urge to snack. On my days off I do lots of different things like exercise at the time of day I want, go shopping, even up and cleaning around the house, all of which keep me moving and not just sitting still thinking of food.

[Anonymous]

Totally agree.

[Anonymous]

I snack constantly when I’m off. I guess that’s lucky for me.

The only way you’re going to stick with anything is if it’s a habit and it’s very difficult to develop new habits. I recommend the book The Power of Habit.

[Anonymous]

Dreading going back to work tomorrow for multiple reasons, but this being a primary one.

[Anonymous]

I am the opposite. It is so much easier for me to control my diet when I am working. I pack my breakfast, lunch and snacks so unlike weekends at home, I am limited to eating only what I bring; no mindless grabbing snacks all day long.

[Anonymous]

Ego depletion.

Some studies refute now but it really feels like a thing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_depletion

[Anonymous]

Agree. I work full-time, 3 days a week. On my four days off, I exercise for 1.5-2 hours each day and prepare nutrient-dense meals. It's effortless and feels like I have all the time in the world

[Anonymous]

Yes, I am EXACTLY like this too, OP. I think this "ego depletion" theory that 11:31 mentioned definitely plays a role.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am EXACTLY like this too, OP. I think this "ego depletion" theory that 11:31 mentioned definitely plays a role.

If you aren't in the habit of grabbing bagels from the break room, snacks out of the machine and going to lunch every day with coworkers than it requires little self control to not do those things because they are things that you are not in the habit of doing in the first place.

Staying at home every day with kids you are making them breakfast, lunch, snacks. You are prepping dinner. You are shopping for food. If you never really gave much thought and attention to food at work, that changes once you start staying home because you are preparing/serving food throughout the day. It is so easy to become a mindless nibbler in that situation. A handful of goldfish here, a cheese slice there has a way of adding up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am EXACTLY like this too, OP. I think this "ego depletion" theory that 11:31 mentioned definitely plays a role.

If you aren't in the habit of grabbing bagels from the break room, snacks out of the machine and going to lunch every day with coworkers than it requires little self control to not do those things because they are things that you are not in the habit of doing in the first place.

Staying at home every day with kids you are making them breakfast, lunch, snacks. You are prepping dinner. You are shopping for food. If you never really gave much thought and attention to food at work, that changes once you start staying home because you are preparing/serving food throughout the day. It is so easy to become a mindless nibbler in that situation. A handful of goldfish here, a cheese slice there has a way of adding up.

I am sure none of the previous posters thought of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I am EXACTLY like this too, OP. I think this "ego depletion" theory that 11:31 mentioned definitely plays a role.

If you aren't in the habit of grabbing bagels from the break room, snacks out of the machine and going to lunch every day with coworkers than it requires little self control to not do those things because they are things that you are not in the habit of doing in the first place.

Staying at home every day with kids you are making them breakfast, lunch, snacks. You are prepping dinner. You are shopping for food. If you never really gave much thought and attention to food at work, that changes once you start staying home because you are preparing/serving food throughout the day. It is so easy to become a mindless nibbler in that situation. A handful of goldfish here, a cheese slice there has a way of adding up.

I am sure none of the previous posters thought of this.

right back at you. Like it or not work doesn't revolve food unless you are in the food service industry, even then your work does not involve eating food (I used to wait tables and I never ate at work).

If you are at home, you are getting kids food, preparing meals, shopping for food, serving snacks, etc. It's way easier to develop a nibbling habit.

When I worked I grabbed something like trail mix and Diet Coke out of the vending at 3:00 every day. That was it. Work killed my appetite.