Work!

I know a lot of you that read my blog work in an office setting where food days, potluck days, or as I like to call them, grazing days, are commonplace. I used to love these days. You know, you walk around all day, looking for food, overeating and feeling disgusting by the time you leave work?

Unfortunately last year during two of the food days, I accidentally ingested some sort of nut. Had the fat lips and itchy mouth and thankfully I had some quick dissolve Benadryl strips on hand both times. I bowed out of food days permanently after the second time. Now, I know that many of you don't have nut allergies, but I will tell you that five years ago when I was on the path to losing weight, I gracefully declined to participate in these grazing days. I felt that if I didn't bring anything, I didn't have a right to make a hog of myself and trough-out. I didn't even feel like I could make a little piggy of myself and nibble on anything that was out there. Because I didn't contribute, I didn't feel like I could eat the food. This was incredibly helpful in staying on track. Some people feel funny about saying no to participating in such gatherings at work because it may appear to be snobbish by not participating and partaking. My thought is that I am going to do what is best for me and it is best for me to stay away from naughty food.

Once a month at work (if not more), we all take turns bringing in some sort of treat for the office. I usually pick bagels and reduced fat cream cheese as do many of the others. Of course, someone has to make brownies, salsa con queso with meat and tortilla chips, Russian tea cake (I think that's what it's called), scotcheroos, cupcakes, homemade salted nut rolls and the occasional box of Casey's frosted sugar cookies. Sigh, I'm a SUCKER for frosted sugar cookies. I love them. Love them. Love them. Yum. Sigh. Unless it has peanuts or some sort of nuts, I'm all about those treats. Dammit. At least it is only once a month and the naughty snacks aren't more than once a month. I would be in trouble.

I have said that I keep healthy snacks at my desk. And I really do. I keep a small pantry there. It lessens the chances that I am going to go and get something quick and unhealthy when I'm hungry. I also take my lunch to work. I realize that this is not possible for everyone and that eating cold sandwiches can be boring and actually force you to binge on things that aren't as good for you. If you are a habitual out-for-lunch eater, try taking your lunch a few times a week. Utilize leftovers, if you have a microwave available at work. Not only can you portion it out ahead of time, you also know what is in your meal that you prepared yourself.

I mentioned that I utilize work breaks to take walks. I like these boosts of exercise throughout the day whenever it is possible. Almost everyday, I walk during my morning and afternoon breaks. Then, if it is really nice, I will eat my lunch quick and use the rest of my lunch to walk. You have heard people say to take the stairs and park farther away. I also think these are good small things to do during your day. Funny thing is that I take the elevator in the morning at work because I am usually carrying so much stuff and have wobbly legs from working out. I DO take the stairs the rest of the time. Most of the time. Ha! I don't generally park farther away because it is still dark when I get to work. I'd rather not have to walk across a dark parking lot first thing in the morning. Of course, if I am a little scared, I could turn that into a jog into the building! Well, now we are back to all the stuff I haul to work in the morning. Sigh. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Things you can do at work, especially if you have a job where you sit at a desk all day is keep good posture. Tighten your abs while you work. It will eventually come to the point where you don't have to think about it anymore.

If I start to feel a sleepy after staring at my computer screen for hours or if sitting in my chair starts to make my hips ache, I WILL get up and do a set of jumping jacks or set of squats. Gets the blood flowing and my mind rejuvenated. They don't take more than one minute, so it isn't like I'm spending incredible amounts of time doing things other than working. It helps me to be more productive.

Good luck to you to START SMALL! Make the changes! Be the changes! I don't even know what that means. That was ridiculous actually. But I'm not taking it off. Extemporaneous writing at its finest!

Signing off for now, to all of you near and far and to those of you that can't wait to get to work to try these out, until next time...