How to avoid gaining weight while working?

[GosuJohn]

Just wondering if anyone gained a lot of weight after starting to work yet somehow avoided gaining weight in college. Are there certain foods that fill you up more? I am a constantly hungry person, however I don't consume dairy and avoid anything with sugar. I am skinny right now, and this may seem paranoid, however life is a marathon so any little changes that can be done will have lasting effects in the long run.

For instance I used to crave sugar/soda/pizza, but now that I eliminated from the diet, its very normal for me to avoid those things now, its not like Im sitting there wanting to eat it. Not gaining weight in college wasn't hard because there was like unlimited free time, however with work this seems to be much different, especially with exams. So any advice on how to adjust to work eating/exercise wise would be greatly appreciated.

[Bison]

Just wondering if anyone gained a lot of weight after starting to work yet somehow avoided gaining weight in college. Are there certain foods that fill you up more? I am a constantly hungry person, however I don't consume dairy and avoid anything with sugar. I am skinny right now, and this may seem paranoid, however life is a marathon so any little changes that can be done will have lasting effects in the long run.

For instance I used to crave sugar/soda/pizza, but now that I eliminated from the diet, its very normal for me to avoid those things now, its not like Im sitting there wanting to eat it. Not gaining weight in college wasn't hard because there was like unlimited free time, however with work this seems to be much different, especially with exams. So any advice on how to adjust to work eating/exercise wise would be greatly appreciated.

Eat proteins. They make you feel full longer, in general. However, you may find that it's not a matter of hunger, but instead that you feel the desire to be reaching for something to snack constantly. This was my biggest problem when I left college (where I was always out doing something) and work, where I'm at a desk all day. There are plenty of things I've found that help with this to varying degrees such as:

--Have a cup of water available at all times. When you first want to reach for something, take a sip instead... you may find that satisfies you for the time being.
--Gum or sugar-free hard candies
--A personal favorite, but tough if you're not tucked away in Cubeville like I am, sunflower seeds. If you actually eat them one at a time, you can be constantly eating all afternoon, and hardly have any calories to show for it. I'm talking about the ones in the shell... so it takes a little time to eat each one. But if you're in an area where people can see you all the time, might not be the best idea in the world.

Anyway, those are some of the things that've worked for me... Hope it helps.

[LoneGirl]

I was the opposite. I gained alot of weight in college, then lost it once I started working. I think it had alot to do with cooking healthy meals for myself instead of eating typical dorm/studying/etc food. Plus now that my life is on a more consistent 9 to 5 schedule, I actually find it easier to schedule in exercise time.

[silverfox]

I eat pretzels as snacks every day unless I run out. Then I have to eat the potato chips and chocolate bars that i keep in my desk for an emergency. I seem to be able to maintain my weight this way.

[yanz]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Working is not much different from college. You spend close to the same amount of time on your butt (once you factor in both class time and studying), but your routine is much more regimented since you can have lunch/dinner at more or less the same time every day. The big trap is any free food lying around from meetings and such, but that's true of college as well...

I really wouldn't worry about it.

[mlschop]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Working is not much different from college. You spend close to the same amount of time on your butt (once you factor in both class time and studying), but your routine is much more regimented since you can have lunch/dinner at more or less the same time every day. The big trap is any free food lying around from meetings and such, but that's true of college as well...

I really wouldn't worry about it.

Free food at work is WAAAAAAAY more common than at college (where did you goto college?).

Most of the time, it's a uncommon event (celebratory or random acts of food-ness), or a regular event (fridays). However, I've seen some units in my office bring in food everyday, both breakfast and lunch. If that's the case - you just have to avoid it (breakfasts are usually the killer with muffins and bagels), or partake seldomly.

I'd say if it's not going to be a regular thing, then you have nothing to worry about.

[Maine-iac]

Its managing your meals on your own that is the killer, rather than the working per se. Two traps:

- Buying your own groceries, so now you can buy all that stuff that was never available to you when parents, or cafeteria cooks were supervising your menus. You can have Twinkies at every meal if you want, so you do!
- Lazy or unskilled at cooking. You rely on dining out a lot (bad nutrition and no portion control) or you make easy convenience foods (Pop Tarts anyone?). You don't pack lunch, you buy something cheap and bad.

As for hunger issues:
- eat small snacks often
- concentrate on lean proteins and high fiber carbs for your snacks (a few nuts, a piece of low fat cheese, some whole grain toast, etc.)

[Kaia]

I eat pretzels as snacks every day unless I run out. Then I have to eat the potato chips and chocolate bars that i keep in my desk for an emergency. I seem to be able to maintain my weight this way.

:rofl: Foxy, I kind of hate you.

[MrsFrog]

Free food at work is WAAAAAAAY more common than at college (where did you goto college?).



I got alot more free food in college, everytime some group had a meeting, they had pizza, my roommate would join things based on the food choices, and she joined extra things just so she could eat dinner every night somewhere new

[LoneGirl]

One thing I found beneficial to my time management has been working out in the morning before work. That way, during exam "season", my evening is free for studying. I used to always workout after work, but then if something came up and I ended up working late, or had to do something right after work, I'd miss my workout time (I hate working out too late because then I can't sleep). By working out in the morning, I get it over with and don't have to worry about it for the rest of the day. It was a challenge at first getting used to being up early (I get up at 5:30am), but after about two weeks I was used to it and it became routine.

[LoneGirl]

I got alot more free food in college, everytime some group had a meeting, they had pizza, my roommate would join things based on the food choices, and she joined extra things just so she could eat dinner every night somewhere new

I never got free food in college, but my problem when I lived in a dorm was that the dining hall didn't really offer alot of healthy fare. Every night they had some dessert special (like "cheesecake with your choice of toppings" night or "cookies with icing" night). And if you missed the regular dinner hour, there was a convenient Pizza Hut personal pan pizza station. And your meal card allowed you to get a bag of chips and large soft drink with your pizza. It's really no mystery why I gained weight....

[JohnGalt]

One thing I found beneficial to my time management has been working out in the morning before work.

Man, I wish I could get up in the morning and work out before work. That was I could do a conditioning workout in the morning and a strength workout in the evening. I'm just such a big baby about getting 8 hours of sleep though...I go to bed at midnight and get up at 8:00. If I don't get a full 8 hours I feel crappy.

[LoneGirl]

Man, I wish I could get up in the morning and work out before work. That was I could do a conditioning workout in the morning and a strength workout in the evening. I'm just such a big baby about getting 8 hours of sleep though...I go to bed at midnight and get up at 8:00. If I don't get a full 8 hours I feel crappy.

I need my sleep too. I usually go to bed at 10:00 though, so getting up at 5:30 isn't too hard. If I stayed up until midnight, there's no way I'd be doing a workout at 5:30am!

[MrsFrog]

I never got free food in college, but my problem when I lived in a dorm was that the dining hall didn't really offer alot of healthy fare. Every night they had some dessert special (like "cheesecake with your choice of toppings" night or "cookies with icing" night). And if you missed the regular dinner hour, there was a convenient Pizza Hut personal pan pizza station. And your meal card allowed you to get a bag of chips and large soft drink with your pizza. It's really no mystery why I gained weight....

I had the same problem, I would get regular food, but it was so bad I would end up just eating dessert instead. However I didn't gain weight since there was a gym right across the street, and I had lots of friends who liked to work out, but I wonder how good I would have looked if I had been eating healthy as well as all the working out I did

[punmanbowler]

The best way I'm able to workout is to do it in the morning. Problem is, I have a bad habit of hitting snooze too much.

[rawl316]

I eat pretzels as snacks every day unless I run out. Then I have to eat the potato chips and chocolate bars that i keep in my desk for an emergency. I seem to be able to maintain my weight this way.

:lol:

[Wannabe Actuary]

proteins...and water...lots of water