It’s been 6 months since I started my new job. So, is it really new anymore? Or is it just a job?
Regardless, with that move, my workplace changed significantly. No longer do I drive an hour and a half each way to work to sit at a desk (hallelujah!!), and no longer do I have the temptations of an office around every corner (cookies, free food, and people inviting me to lunch at less-than-healthy spots.)
There’s things I miss about working in an office, but those are not the things I miss. I miss the ice machine. Guilty. The ice machine at the office had pellet-like ice, and I would fill my water cup about a million times. Of course, this would mean that I also visited the bathroom a million times. I would get caught up in hallway talk and hustle around looking for my sales team for updates…
My new office (my home office) is incredible though. Perfect temperature, a very flexible dress code, a fridge stocked with only the healthiest of foods… it’s a sweet setup, but there’s something unexpected that happened along the way: I DON’T MOVE.
You guys, I’m not kidding. I don’t move. I’m on conference calls and on the phone with my team most of the day. I have a fantastic, cozy, supportive chair in my office. And, I sit in it – – All. Day. Long
Looking back at my Apple Activity tracker, on an average work-from-home day, I clock about 490 steps. Not even 500. Less than 500 steps!!! When I worked in an office, I was always sad about the 2000 steps I’d walk out with. We’re talking about 1/4 of that now that I’m home!!!
While my eating has been pretty good in past months, I absolutely know that this deficit in steps/activity has been wreaking havoc on my weight loss plans.
And, well… it has to stop.
I’m not someone who loves to get to the gym. I mean, I even broke up with my Fitbit last year. Working out, it’s just not my jam… but something’s got to give. And, I’ve been working to make sure that I’m moving more.
Right now, I’m working to get to the gym as much as I can. Whether I spend time on my mat or I’m walking on the treadmill, it’s important and it’s happening.
I also respond REALLY well to bribery. When I was in California at the Chopra Center, I met a lovely gal named Ruth who mentioned that she listens to audiobooks while she walks. I’ve done this before, and it works!!! So, I’ve quickly re-adopted this strategy. Here’s how it works: I’m listening to a GREAT book, but I can only listen to it when I’m walking.
Right now, I’m listening to Year of Yes by Shonda Rimes. It’s so good, and I’m loving listening to it for 30-60 minutes when I go to the gym. It’s working. It reminds me a little of the Happiness Tour. And, I love that about it!
I’ve also picked up my Tuesday afternoon yoga habit… and even walked a (blazing hot!) 5K this weekend with friends.
And… I logged the BEST DAY I’ve had in months from a tracking standpoint. Of course, you have to see it… that’s 12K steps.
I don’t know if the level of activity I’m incorporating is enough for me to lose weight right now, but it is SUCH a big deal to get back to the gym on the regular that it’s still a win.
Just to level set: I’m not going to say that I’m going to post steps daily or check in every time I go to the gym… I’m not even saying that I’m going to go to the gym every day. What I will say is that I’m trying.
And, because I know you’re trying every single day, I felt the need to share. Let’s do our best, y’all!