If you’re a woman and you work in an office you’ve probably had your fair share of conversations about your failed diet attempts and how you haven’t been to the gym for three weeks.  The thinnest I’ve ever been was ironically when I worked as a bartender and was walking what seemed like ten miles a day back and forth around the restaurant.  I’d eat without paying too much attention to the calories and it didn’t seem to matter. 

Well, you don’t burn too many calories sitting in a cubicle typing on a computer all day (as I’m doing now). Planning is essential to my weight maintenance plan, especially when activity isn’t a natural part of my day.  Scheduling my workouts as part of my weekly routine has helped tremendously.  I know what my day looks like and can prepare my gym clothes and meals ahead of time.  I also work out with a buddy once a week.  It’s easier to stick to something when you have someone depending on you.  It also makes the time go by much faster and it’s actually fun!  I also fit in two classes a week at my gym.  For some reason, having an instructor yell at you for an hour is much more motivating than watching CNN on an elliptical.

Snacking throughout the day is another pothole in any healthy lifestyle.  Planning, again, is one of the most important elements.  If I don’t have healthy snacks on hand, I’m more likely to grab for my neighbor’s chocolate stash or the vending machine cookies.  If you were to look in my designated “snack drawer”, you would see 100 calorie packs of raw almonds, green tea, chicken noodle and tomato soup and protein bars.  I always try to bring two pieces of fruit to work per day as well.  I also allow myself a few pieces from that chocolate jar a few times a week. 

And when all else fails my motto is “Think of all those women who passed up the dessert tray on the titanic!”

 Submitted by Autumn Doerman, Promotions Specialist

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