Writing can be a sedentary career, and fitness is often an issue for work at home writers. Other than interviewing and researching, the times when you are sitting still in your office chair are probably times of high output for your business and writing. Here are some writer-centric ways of bringing some movement and fitness into your work life.
Although there are a lot of “extras” in maintaining fitness, losing weight, and being fit, they almost always come down to four simple words and two concepts. Eat less, move more. How does this concept apply to work at home writers?
Move More While Working at Home
Unfortunately, working at home requires a lot less movement on your part. You’re not going office to office, floor to floor, parking lot to building and etc. In fact, there are likely whole days when you don’t move more than 10 feet for six hours. This is a big change for many workers who set up a home office.
At home workers, including freelance writers, will then need to be even more proactive about building movement into their day. Consider putting a treadmill in your office (but be careful of taking the home office deduction if you do), or securing a PO box for your business at the post office down the street- and then walk there every day. Work at home parents may consider picking their children up at the school instead of waiting for the bus, or joining a gym that offers fun classes and childcare. Download a couple of writer’s podcasts and go around the block a few times.
Eat Less
Clean out the cabinets! I know this isn’t new advice for anyone, but it is so important for those who work at home. You cannot spend 6-8 hours per day in a choco-centric environment if fitness is an issue. In addition, those kinds of foods will slow down your thinking. Make sure your kitchen (and, by extension, your office) is stocked with good things!
In addition, meet clients and interviewees at parks or their office, as opposed to restaurants or coffee shops. This will also save you a few bucks.
Lastly, keep this in mind: your job as a work at home writer is probably slowing down your energy expenditure, just by virtue of the lack of commute and movement around an office building. Carefully consider adjusting your calorie intake to account for this, and you’ll be a happier work at home writer!
