Could your job be making you fat? Whether you just started your first full time job, have been clocking in for years, or have just switched to a new position or company, the reasons for your work-related weight gain are probably the same as your office-mates. Get clued in about why your job is making you fat and get solutions to your work related weight gain plus snack strategies and quick exercises that will actually help you lose weight at work instead of adding pounds.

Causes of work related weight gain:

• Long commutes that prevent you from having breakfast or lunch, and dinner at a reasonable hour.
• Unhealthy snack trays at work (this is a no brainer but it's a big reason for many!
• Going out for drinks with co-workers more than twice a week.
• No time for lunch so bingeing when you get home and overeating at dinner.
• So stressed and tired that you depend on caffeine and sugar just to get through the day.
• Lunches with co-workers at unhealthy restaurants or food stands.
• Candy, candy, and more candy, in jars, drawers, bags, file cabinets, and other sneaky places (you know where).
• Constant stress and constant sitting that increases fat storage hormones and kills energy levels.
• Overbooked work week that forces you to workout only on weekends.
• Evil cut throat co-workers that drive you to drink the minute you get home from work.

Notice that it isn't just about food. Stress and relationships also play a big part in work related weight gain. People typically want to get along and fit in so they do as others do and that means going out for drinks, eating donuts, or munching on candy even if that isn't something you would normally do. Stress also contributes to weight gain when fat storage hormones are produced and not addressed with exercise or healthy eating.

How to avoid work related weight gain:

• Eat during your commute. A ready to go shake, balance bar, or healthy trail mix will do wonders for your metabolism and prevent sugar binges.
• Take 3-4 quick workout breaks instead of caffeine/sugar breaks to reduce stress and boost energy. Do a quick set of wall pushups, followed by chair squats, then do two rounds of stairs in your building. This only takes 5 minutes and is a great way to de-stress and re-energize your body.
• Start a health food pot-luck once a week. Everyone brings in veggies, fruit, low-fat cheeses and dips, healthy nuts, a couple of lean proteins like low-fat cottage cheese, or low-fat turkey slices, and whole grain crackers. This is a great way to out other healthy people like you who are too self-conscious to eat healthy solo.
• Hire a trainer for after work boot camp. Trainers are more than happy to come to your work place 2-3 times a week to train large groups. They make more money this way and participants pay less for personal training so it works out for everyone.
• Incorporate quick 10 minute workouts 3-4 times a week but try to do it in the morning. This way you're boosting metabolism and burning calories daily.
• Try some at work or after work yoga instead of booze to de-stress. Yoga reduces fat storage hormones and can help your body burn fat.
• Ban candy from your work area but replace it with fat burning snacks like almonds, pure protein bars, apples, and gum.

Find the area that seems to be contributing to your weight gain most and commit to making one major change for 3 weeks.

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