An office at home: How to avoid weight gain

Currently sat at the kitchen table working, I have a glass of water to my right and some peanuts to my left. A short while ago I took a break to have a fruit salad, clearly it was not enough, entering into mid-afternoon I realised how my proximity to the kitchen alters my eating habits. During 2020, like many of you, I have been working from home. I set my workspace up on my table which was located between my living room and kitchen within my two-bedroom apartment, it wasn’t long when I realised this space wasn’t effective. I’d decided to declutter and create a mini office in the second bedroom, this meant it was a mere six steps away from the kitchen rather than the previous three. The distance wasn’t the problem, it was willpower and awareness.

As a coach, I’d decided to navigate my business online and create a more effective way to help more people. What I noticed was that the camera points out things you normally are oblivious to when looking in the mirror. However, it was not the primary reason I chose to eat well, lockdown enabled me to become aware of what I was eating and why. I bet you were thinking this would be an easy 5-step strategy to losing weight, am I right? Well here is the secret, it won’t happen overnight, it takes willpower, awareness and consistency. Shock horror, the secret is out.

When lockdown began, I sought to lose some holiday weight, I had enjoyed a few too many glasses of wine indulging in decadent croissants but now I wanted to give my body fuel so it could serve me in my work. Action is worthless if there is no substance behind the commitment. For example, wanting to lose weight to look good, does not change your perception of how you look because you are distorted in the way you view yourself. You do not see what others see. Instead, you must envisage yourself looking better than you do currently, so you can change your current habits.

If you took this moment to envision how you would like to look, what does your ideal self-look like?

What is she wearing?

How do her habits sustain this way of living?

What type of energy does she have?

Do your current habits match hers?

A majority of you may not be utilising the habits that your imagined healthy-looking self should be. Now, step into her shoes, did she get like that by missing meals, eating take-out, drinking, or does she prioritise sleep, exercise, drink water, eat fresh fruit and vegetables daily? What are your healthy habits currently and what needs to shift so you can live in the healthier body you envisaged?

When you envision yourself, you trigger a manifestation towards your goals. This momentum encourages you to make decisions thinking about what you will be feeling, doing and how you will be carrying yourself in the future. By shifting your focus on where you want to be, you are making changes that will make the difference now. Would your future self-snack on potato chips or fruit? What will give her more energy to boost her creativity or focus?

Shift habits to serve your needs and put your ideal self first. Stop undermining who you want to be, start living the life you deserve. Trust and honour yourself more to acknowledge that you deserve to live a healthy lifestyle, within a healthier body and one which serves you, your purpose and your overall wellbeing in life.

My last take home point is be careful with labelling food. By creating negative and positive food labels you create temptation. You are intelligent enough to know what foods make you feel good temporarily and which foods help fuel your energy and focus throughout the day. Begin by writing them down and start to pick key meals that make you to feel good, keep the momentum going and see how much your thoughts become your actions. Your actions are the path to move forwards or they are the ones which keep holding you back.

Tulshi Varsani – Fitness ChiX

BIO: Tulshi started out in the fitness industry before becoming a Performance Coach (UKSCA). Throughout her career she has managed coaches, gyms and worked with Mercedes AMG Formula One team members and pit crew. Her experience included coaching Pilates to general populations as well as for Newport Gwent Dragons, a division one rugby team in Wales. Recovery and strength are a big part of how she manages her weight, and her new course delivers these simple steps in an 8-part series. Click here to experience the sessions for yourself and join the community.

https://www.udemy.com/course/pilates-a-beginners-guide