Working from home is a great benefit to the freelance writing lifestyle. The freedom of schedule allows for flexibility between personal and professional commitments. But there is one potential downside to freelancing, and that is weight gain.
The telecommuting life has a different pace than the corporate world. Freelancers who used to walk to their cars and around their office structure are now largely sitting for long periods during the day. Here are a few tips to avoid weight gain common to freelance writers.
Freelance Writer Fitness Tip
Freelance writers can spend the entire day glued to their chair. This slows down the metabolism and also create stiff joints in writers prone to those types of issues. To combat this, it's important to get up every thirty to sixty minutes and take a quick walk around the home. This small habit can help the body maintain a higher metabolism than sitting in one place all day.
Making a point to move around frequently also has a different benefit. Sitting and staring at the computer can create eye strain, neck stress, and in some cases a blocked creative mind. Getting up to move helps with all these conditions, and can even make freelancers a bit more productive when they return to their desk.
Freelance Writer Diet Tip
One way to avoid grazing all day is to close the home office door. Freelancers that try and keep a more professional mindset to their home work environment may find it easier to avoid snacking mindlessly during the day.
In addition, adding water to the diet can help keep freelancers hydrated and feeling more full throughout the day. It's easy to keep a glass of water next to the computer when you're at home. This alone will help that nagging feeling that there are chips or cookies a mere few feet away in the kitchen.
Telecommuting Tip
The telecommuting lifestyle might mean a flexible schedule, but freelancers are wise to get up and get dressed with the same purpose as if they were to head into an office. This start to the day can provide a sense of routine, which will spill over in other aspects of their day. Getting up and eating breakfast, for example, may help with mindless mid-morning snacking.
Attire can affect a freelancers state of mind as well. Casual (jeans and a tee shirt) is fine, and allows for creative expression. But staying in pajamas all day may make the freelancer feel a bit too relaxed, thus encouraging junk food eating or going off of their diet during the day.
Workout Exercises
Since freelancers spend so much time at home, an investment in a gym membership can be beneficial for health and emotional reasons. Getting out to see and chat with other people can help with freelancer loneliness, while working out can help prevent weight gain.
If freelancers can't afford a gym membership, walking at home is another great alternative. Several exercise DVDs, like Leslie Sansone's Walk at Home series, allow freelancers to get a walk in even if the weather outside prevents it. In addition, this site also has videos that a freelancer can play on his or her computer.
With small changes to their lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine, freelancers can easily avoid gaining pounds. The telecommute lifestyle doesn't need to mean increased pants and dress sizes. Small changes can go a long way.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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