Anonymous wrote:Help! Since I started back in August I gradually put on 10 lbs. I used to work out, plus as a city mom pushed the littles around in the stroller, walked everywhere. Now I have a desk job and have no idea how to lose this. It is also really difficult avoiding sweets at work.

First thing, DO NOT EAT ANYTHING YOU DON'T BRING TO WORK. Anything that anyone else brings in, do not eat it. I learned this the hard way - someone brought in some brownie bites, and I ate two. I go into myfitnesspal to enter them in - and they were 445 calories. FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY FIVE CALORIES. That was literally the last time I ever ate anything that anyone brought in, and that was 3 years ago.

You will also need to find time to exercise, even if it just taking the kids out for a walk after work.

Anonymous wrote:Make your commute be your exercise by walking, running or biking. When I started working I actually lost weight because I was not constantly tempted by the kitchen, I was distracted by work and ate way less, there was some social competition to look good for the workplace (so I cared more about appearance ), and I biked to work so got lots of good exercise.

OP - I can bike to work which would be great, but DH and I split up the drop offs for the kids, which requires the car.

Thanks for the suggestions and commiseration. This is NOT a humble brag (who brags about gaining weight?) and obviously I know my lifestyle has changed drastically, but I had not truly realized how active I was before - most of the time I wasn't consciously "exercising" but even that everyday activity I guess was much better.

I am going to plan to use my lunch break (30 min) to walk instead, and then eat at my desk. I will also watch my portions much more carefully.

Pp here. And now that I'm home again, I've gained almost 10 lbs because of the reverse of everything I wrote. I have no forced exercise in my day and snack all day

Make your commute be your exercise by walking, running or biking. When I started working I actually lost weight because I was not constantly tempted by the kitchen, I was distracted by work and ate way less, there was some social competition to look good for the workplace (so I cared more about appearance ), and I biked to work so got lots of good exercise.

This happened to me too. Basically because at work I could sit down and finish a meal! For years I just stood at the island and ate half a bagel and cold coffee before getting dragged into 40 other directions. Eating a full lunch and breakfast just weren't necessary. I just do black coffee or tea till lunch. I occasionaly need a diet coke at 1130 if I know I won't eat till 1 or so. Or if we have a breakfast meeting i skip lunch and have some nuts around 3pm. I'm just too old and too stationary to need 3 meals. I do a Barre class twice a week but that's it. I know I need to up to 3 or 4 but haven't been able to with my kids travel sports schedules.

I am in my fifties and last year I just started my first desk job. I never had to intentionally work out -- i was so active just being at work i never gained. First 3 months at a desk job and i gained 5 pounds. It's a year later and I haven;t lost it. Thinking of returning to teaching as it is so active I know will lose the weight. Will give this desk job thing a few months then re-think it.

Can you do work besides a sitting-down job?

Download My Fitness Pal

Tell it your stats and indicate you want to lose 1-2 lbs a week

Track everything you eat. Even 2 stray saltines. Strict calories in calories out. If you move or workout, don't add in or eat more. Stay at or under whatever number MFP gave you.

Losing weight/fat is 99% about diet.

Anonymous wrote:You answered your own question Op - You stopped daily "exercise" (walking, pushing stroller) and to pile it it on you're siting, sedentary, and eating junk and sweets.

Why are you surprised? 10 lbs over the course of 10 months actually isn't that bad though

exactly

You are not in control of your schedule the way you once were.

So you'll have to find time to work out around work! Some of us get up at the ass crack of dawn and work out. Others prefer working out on our way home or late at night.

Talk to your husband, OP. You will have to rely on his help to figure out a manageable schedule.

But you'll also have to really focus on your food intake. Eat most of your meals before/at work, leaving time to digest. I've learned to rely on healthy and hearty lunches. Plus, I add in snacks - crackers and cheese, nuts, cut up fruits and/or vegetables. By the time dinner rolls around, I'm not very hungry.

I take the stairs and walk during lunch breaks. (So I eat at my desk while I work.)

Figure it out before 10 becomes 20. Sounds harsh, I know . . . But it's the truth.

Walk to work. I get as much exercise walking to work as I did strolling around during maternity leave. I also walk to run errands

Anonymous wrote:Wow, I could have written this post. For me the biggest culprit has been eating lunch put everyday and my office is always full of food. I started bringing lunch go work and I am working in portion sized. I also incorporated a 2 mile walk into my day. I just made there changes and fee like I can maintain them, especially through fall.

ouch, my auto correct sucks.