Now that I’m working from home, I have to admit I’ve found it a struggle keeping on top of my diet and fitness. Since coming back from Florida in April, my weight has drastically increased and it’s pretty depressing, considering how well I was doing before. However I try to remind myself that up till Christmas I was working a job that required me to be on my feet for the whole of the shift and even after that I was volunteering at the girls school which also meant plenty of hours on my feet. Now though, I sit at my computer and blog, or sit at my dinning table and sew – neither of which can be classed as active jobs unfortunately. On top of that we live a twenty minute car ride away from the girls’ school so it’s not even like I can walk with them to school.

Simplyhealth wrote this great post about fitness at work, the incentives and initiatives. It’s aimed at employers, to try and help their employees and I think if a lot of companies implemented some of these ideas, it would work out really great for people. However, since I work alone and at home, I need to find my own motivation. These are the things I’ve decided work so far.

1. Physical activity. It sounds like an obvious one really but especially for me who sits down to do work, find whatever reason you can to move about. Sometimes I turn the stereo on loud and whenever I have a pattern piece to sketch out or cut, I stand up to do it and dance around to the music while I can.

2. Take a break. This one sounds like the opposite of what we’re talking about, but really it isn’t. Every hour or so I make sure I get up and get a drink, or lunch, or even go for a loo break! Getting up every now and again just makes sure I’m always moving a little. It makes sure my bum doesn’t go numb too!

3. Walk to the post office. As I make jewellery, clothes or even sell things on Ebay, I often have a reason to go to the Post box or even the Post Office itself. While it’s super easy to jump in the car (and quicker too), I force myself to walk as it gives much needed exercise, a break from the work and also some fresh air.

4. Do the odd job that requires a few flights of stairs. Okay so I’m supposed to be working – sewing or blogging. But that doesn’t mean the washing doesn’t need doing or the dishwasher needs stacking etc. Use the opportunity to carry a load of washing upstairs, or check your upstairs rooms for dirty cups and glasses, just to use the stairs. Its quick and simply and great way to just give yourself a shake.

5. Park the car a little further away from school. As part of my day job, I’m a mum and that requires the school run twice a day. Though we live too far away to walk to school (and often we’re not up early enough anyway), when I collect the girls from school I sometimes park a little further away, meaning we get in a walk when I pick them up. Both the girls love to walk and on a nice day it can be a good excuse to call in at the park on our way back to the car. Win/win for everyone!

6. Use a pedometer or a steps app on your smartphone. I use an app called MyFitnessPal to count all my daily calories. The iPhone has a build in step counter too, motion sensored and you can tie this into the app. This is a great way of seeing how much I’ve managed to walk or how lazy I’ve been and how much more I need to do. Also if I’ve managed loads of steps, it gives me a great excuse to grab a glass of wine or a little treat after dinner!

There are loads more ways to stay active at work but these are some of the ones that work for me. The important thing to remember is that every little bit counts and once you’ve tried, its always easier to keep trying!