If you have an office job, you’re probably sitting down most of the day, and you already know that doesn’t help you stay slim. But there are other problems: You may be so busy you tend to gulp lunch at your desk. Plus there are all those birthday cakes for your colleagues. And what about the snacks piled in the office pantry? “To lose weight, you need to plan for situations you may face,” says Dr George Blair-West, a psychiatrist and author of Weight Loss for Food Lovers ($30.73, from Books Kinokuniya). “For example, you can decide not to stay at an office celebration very long if you find it difficult to say no to the food,” he says. Now let’s look at how to cope with other temptations:
Tied To Your Desk
Researchers at a US university found that today’s office worker burns 502 to 586 fewer calories per day, on average, than an office worker 50 years ago. This can cause a 15 kg weight gain by retirement time. “Moving from your desk is important. It burns calories and helps prevent back and muscle pain,” says Jaclyn Reutens, a clinical dietitian at Aptima Nutrition & Sports Consultants, “Some offices now use standing desks so you can do more work on your feet.”
SOLUTION
Instead of IM or phoning or emailing your colleague, can you walk over to speak to them? Sitting down burns about 4.8 kcal an hour. Walking burns 143 kcal an hour.
Meeting Room Munchies
Meetings can come with calorie-laden snacks. And when we’re eating in company we’re tempted to eat about 30 per cent more, explains Dr Blair-West. “A big factor in how much we eat is the influence of people around us – particularly people we look up to, like our bosses. If they eat more, we also tend to eat more,” he says.
SOLUTION
If you know the person in-charge of the catering, gently suggest some healthier choices, like opting for wholegrain sandwiches or a fruit platter. “When you’re at a staff party, remember that you may feel tempted to eat more, so think about what you eat,” says Dr Blair-West.
Birthdays & Celebrations
Sometimes it feels like there is an office birthday celebration or baby’s one month party every week! How do you cope? Jaclyn says, “Join in the fun! But when you are offered a piece of cake, ask yourself, ‘Am I really hungry? Do I really want to eat this?’ It is not rude to say nicely, ‘I’m not hungry now, but thank you for the offer’.”
SOLUTION
Have a small piece of cake and eat it with enjoyment. If you’re not having cake, grab a drink so you can still enjoy something with your co-workers.
The Office Chef
Every office has a keen home cook who enjoys bringing in baked treats and festive goodies to share. “Bringing in some homemade cookies is a simple way of saying, ‘I care about you and I’m a fun person’,” explains Dr Blaire Wilson. But what happens when you’re not hungry – but you don’t want to offend someone by refusing a slice of her home-baked cake?
SOLUTION
“If you say you’re on a diet, people sometimes don’t listen,” says Dr Blair-West. “Instead, say you can’t eat this because you’re on a special health-related diet. People usually accept this.” “If colleagues often bring in cakes, try bringing in fresh fruits instead, or vegetable sticks with low-fat dip,” suggests Jaclyn. “You might create a healthy change in your office.”
Desk Dining
Cornell University’s Dr Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating: Why We Eat More Than We Think (from $17.12, from Books Kinokuniya), found people ate 45 per cent more popcorn, if they were watching a movie at the same time. “If we eat at our desk we also answer emails and read reports… we’re distracted, so we eat more. Yet we haven’t savoured that food, so we feel unsatisfied. And then we reach for an afternoon snack,” explains Jaclyn.
SOLUTION
Go outside for lunch or head to the pantry area. Focus on enjoying and tasting the food, and note when you start to feel full.
Afternoon Slump
If you eat a big lunch you’ll get an energy dip in the afternoon as your blood glucose levels drop. Avoid this by having a lighter lunch of foods that slowly release energy. Going for a walk can also lift your energy – a 20-minute walk cuts feelings of fatigue by as much as 65 per cent. “People also forget to drink water and this also depletes energy levels. Most offices have air conditioning, adding to our dehydration,” says Jaclyn.
SOLUTION
Have a smaller lunch of low-GI foods such as brown rice, veges, fish or lean meats. If you need a snack, pick low-fat yoghurt, wholemeal crackers, or fruit. Keep a bottle of water at your desk to remind yourself to drink up.
Related: Glycemic Index List
Kopi Tiam Temptations
While one or two kopi siu dai (coffee with milk, less sugar) is okay, but calories mount up if you start upsizing your lattes and adding fancy flavours. A large size blended coffee drink can be 340 calories, compared to 100 calories in a cup of low-fat latte. Try changing routes so you don’t have to walk pass enticing coffee shops or vending machines.
SOLUTION
Opt for herbal teas instead of coffee, and drink one glass of water every hour. If there’s a refrigerator at work, bring your own meals and snacks to eat.
Related: Smart Ways To Snack At The Office
Text: Bauer/Good Health/Additional reporting: Candy Lim
Photo: 123RF