Clear
0
Join Login/Signup
Community Discussion

The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge

#Health #Balance #Lifehack #Body #Mind #Working #Freelancing Mind & Body
January 2, 2018
JoeMilford Author Level 1

Write the reason you're deleting this FAQ

As the holiday season comes to an end, many of us may have indulged a bit in a lot of celebratory eating. As a freelancer, I think we run the danger of sitting in front of the computer screen way too much--this is, obviously, a hazard of our trade. Also, if you are working from home, you may be tempted to become lazy or complacent or to snack too much, etc. My question is how do you all maintain a healthy lifestyle as a freelancer in terms of body and mind? What routines work for you?
42

Comments 42

January 3, 2018
vhinz
Sitting for a long period of time while working on the computer could cause some health problems. And I really experienced that before like back pain. What I usually do now is before I start working, I set my alarm clock every 30 minutes to remind me to take a break. I would stand up, do some stretching, or walk for about 5 minutes. And I'm taking food supplements to stay my body healthy. And to ease my mind, I meditate for 10-15mins. I just simply to go a spot where I couldn't be disturbed, place my body in a relax position either sitting or lying in bed, closed my eyes, inhale and exhale slowly while chanting in my mind the word "relax". It relaxes both my mind and body.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
This is a great idea, vhinz--I get the pain really bad between my shoulder-blades, like I am slowly morphing into a hideous hunchbacked creature. Do you ever do yoga? I find that that practice is an amazing one for these types of issues. I think that it is really smart to use an alarm system to break up the workload and to replenish the body at healthy intervals.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
I agree. This really a big problem for freelancers. I believe its not just for them but for all who work with their computers. Its also the problem with everybody.

This will have solutions. We need to exercise physically. In order to burn the calories and the fats, exercise is badly needed. Celebrations on holidays really is good. But we need also to take good care of our bodies.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

vhinz
I thinking to design a table for my laptop that is suitable in changing other position that I want while working like sitting, lying on the back or lying on the chest while I'm working. I think it will reduce back pain even if you are working for longer ours.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
That's a great idea. I am also having problem with my sitting position now. I am already sitting on the cold floor because of a low table.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
It is not just the battle of freelancers. Every body should be health conscious. You will lose nothing if you will just keep a healthy lifestyle everyday. Eating of fruits and vegetables is good and beneficial.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
I agree with you. Sitting for a long period of time in front of the computer could cause some illness. You could suffer back pains, etc.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

Corzhens
It is easy to say that you should stand up every 15 minutes to avoid back pains or muscle pains and even eye strain. But sometimes you get glued to the monitor with the work you are doing that you have been spending one hour already but didn’t notice it. When the work is hectic I guess you will tend to forget that 15-minute break that you need. Freelancers should be aware of the needed respite when working in front of the computer.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

vhinz
Yes it is true. That's why setting an alarm will help remind you that you need to take a short break to prevent from having back pain.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

vinaya
I live on a farm, in Nepal. When I am not working on my computer, I will be working on my farmland or animal shed. Since I do manual labor, I get a daily dose of exercise. The best part is I am doing exercise without actually doing exercise.
When I am working on my computer, I do not a snack. If I snack food particles might get inside my computer, therefore I avoid snacking while working. I spend 8-10 hours on my computer and by not snacking during this time, I save myself from extra calories.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
Nice answer. I want also to have a flat stomach. My wife keeps on telling me to some exercises. I have big stomach according to her.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

Jelineex
It's alright. As a saying goes " It's a sign of progress" you have build much for that investment. Your gain profit to it. Kidding aside, it's always best to do exercise to keep our body healthy. Always eat healthy food to nourish your body.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

TommyCarey
I actually have a daily schedule so that I don't get fat or out of shape The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge Well, now that I have a child on the way, who should be here in the next 2 weeks, I haven't been sticking to it very much just because I need to basically be on call every second just in case he wanted to come early lol. I'll go over my normal routine, pre-baby, so you can get an idea of how I manage my time The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge

Monday - Friday:
7:30am - Wake up and get my daughter ready for school. She brushes her teeth and gets dressed while I make her lunch, if she's not ordering it from the school, and that's it.

8:00am - We walk down the street, roughly 4 blocks, to her school where I drop her off. It's about a 5 minute walk, so it is 10 minutes round trip.

8:10am or 8:15am - Get back home and clean the house a bit. My ball and chain will kill me if I don't vacuum twice a week, so I try to stay on top of that so she doesn't have to worry about cleaning when she gets home from working at the hospital.

9:00am - Begin working. I check my emails and any tickets that may have come in, answer them, then move on to writing up some content for myself and my clients. I will also fulfill any orders that came in overnight when I was sleeping.

12:00pm - After writing content for a while, I recheck emails and tickets to see if there were any responses or new contact requests.

12:30pm - Fulfill any new orders that have come in since the first round of fulfillment.

12:50pm - Go to the gym and work out

2:00pm - Get home from the gym and get ready to pick up my little girl from school.

2:25pm - Walk to my little girls school and pick her up, then come home.

3:00 or 3:30 - Make 2nd lunch which is usually just a snack because my little girl will likely be hungry.

3:30 to 9/10pm - Hang out with my daughter and old lady until they go to bed.

9pm or 10pm - Check emails, fulfill new orders, write up any content that wasn't finished.

After that I will rinse and repeat The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge

On the weekends I basically play it by ear since my daughter isn't in school on those days. I still get plenty of work done because she's usually outside playing with friends, but I will watch movies with her or play games if she's inside due to bad weather or none of her friends being home.

It's difficult to balance work and home stuff, but if I work the entire time my little girl is at school, I can usually get a decent amount of stuff done so I don't have to worry too much later on when everyone goes to bed The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge I'll also throw in a nap when I would be going to the gym if I'm exhausted lol The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge The Battle Of The Freelancer Bulge

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
Rinse and repeat--lol.
This is a highly regimented schedule here, Razzy. Also, I see that you work out daily, and that is huge. Doing so will make all of the difference, I think. I think you should stop using terms like "old lady" and "ball in chain" though, lol. In any case, I wonder if you write this schedule down, or is it just so rote in you that it is automatic? Do you have days where it fluctuates? Obviously things happen which we can not plan, so I am sure the answer is yes?

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

mitan143
Woah. This is detailed but it is good. Your lifestyle is very nice and inspirational at the same time. But I like that part with your little girl, it is very sweet.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
I agree with you. He is so sweet with her little girl. He is so detailed indeed.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

vinaya
If you are doing household chores, you are automatically getting your daily dose of exercise. For instance, you walk to the grocery, you shovel or plant flowers in the garden, you clean the house etc. If you are doing these activities, you do not require to go for a jogging every day. I live in a farm and I work in my farm every morning and afternoon. I don't go to a gym, I do not jog every day, yet, I do not have excess fat deposits in my body.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
I totally agree with you. Doing the daily schedule will not get you fat. Its like doing exercises too.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

jeffreyjose48
That is great! I really admire your scheduling. Its good to know that your really take good care of your health.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

January 4, 2018
kgord
Well I am a goof off so I don't get as much exercise as I should when I am home on the computer. I try to make up for it during the days I go out though. I sometimes do extra walking at shopping centers or as part of my offline work to try to make up for some of the time I am not exercising physically.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
kgord,
Actually, I know a lot of people who go to the major malls or shopping centers and do "laps" around the complex in order to burn calories. A lot of groups of women, in their workout garb, especially, do this and talk while they walk and seem to be having a good deal of fun. Plus, the mall is more or less "climate-controlled", so it protects you from the weather as you work out right? I would be too tempted to stop and shop, though, I think, and thus I would most likely get distracted.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

kgord
Yeah, that would be a great suggestion if I was anywhere near a mall lol. I am in the woods. I have been thinking about getting another dog though that would encourage me to walk for sure.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

January 6, 2018
iamawriter
I must admit I do need to work in my belly area to flatten it out. There are ways of doing it but the problem is I have to set the ball rolling. I do a lot of work on my computer but remember to get up and move about attending to other chores or simply taking a stroll in the garden.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
iamawriter,
I agree, and I think it is extremely important to get up and move around periodically during the day if you tend to be working from home a great deal or in front of the computer or at a cubicle all day. I turned 45 this year, and I can promise you that it gets harder and harder, the older I get, to fight off that belly. I am six feet tall and 200 pounds, so I am not exactly obese, but I am definitely not in the shape I would like to be in! I have noticed it has become harder since I started working primarily from home.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

January 9, 2018
mildredtabitha
I know there are many health effects when it comes to using the computer everyday. I always work with my phone and I also prefer it. When it comes to eating, I always consume what I have been taking and I never felt the need to take something out of the picture just because of celebrating. For example taking more of junk food and deep fried foods because of celebrating. I spoil myself with this kind of foods once in a while. I know it is not always easy to keep healthy but we also don't have to deprive ourselves of the things we like. As long as you are happy.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
I am pretty sure that there have been plenty of us that office jobs have led to early graves or to just general poor health. Fried foods, although delicious, are bad for us no matter what the job, I'd say, but if you are eating a lot of those and just sitting around at home, in a cubicle, or in front of the screen, then your body definitely can't digest such fatty treats. I had to start exercising on a regular basis for my health, in general, and I definitely had to up my exercise regimen when I started working more from home.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

January 21, 2018
Corzhens
At the outset, I was wondering what that bulge is. But yes, I agree that you tend to gain weight when you are working full time as a freelancer, being in front of the computer all day with food by your side. You keep on munching as you think along what to write. Not content with water, you grab a soda and that makes for a good snack, chips and soda. And then you suddenly realize that you have gained 5 pounds in the past month.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
Corzhens,
Sorry about that--it is an American idiom, "the bulge", I think, and it refers to that waistline fat that many of us get. Like I said, it is harder and harder to fight this off the older I get. I got to where I drink a lot of water while I am working at the computer, and I think that this gives me the "illusion" of being full, so I am less likely to snack. Soda, of course, is most likely one of the worst things for us, and if we are sitting around sipping Cokes all day while freelancing, we will definitely start truly packing on those un-wanted pounds--this is terribly unhealthy!

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

February 6, 2018
DenisP
Well for starters, there are just some basic rules that I set aside for myself to ensure that I keep a healthy lifestyle even when I don't have time (or just don't have the effort) to actively live healthy. For one thing, I have a juicer which I use to make fresh fruit and vegetable juice every day; enough to provide just about my daily serving of fruits and vegetables in a single glass. I keep empty calories like soda, alcohol and junk food strictly out of my diet, and whatever I do eat I guesstimate the amount of calories it may have so even if I do go over my limit, it isn't by an absurd amount. Besides that, I try to be active for at least 30 minutes a day, whether it's doing body-weight exercises, stretching, or just walking around my neighborhood.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
DenisP,
You are better than me! I love beer way too much, and I know it is empty calories, but it is one of the simpler pleasures in my life. i do avoid snacking while working at the computer and while writing, so that might be my only saving grace, really. I walk several miles a day, and I also do several sets of sit-ups and push-ups a day to give myself breaks from the computer screen and other responsibilities and chores. Other than the beer, it sounds like you and I are very similar in our habits; albeit, you are healthier than me here, lol.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

DenisP
Oh believe me you, cutting out beer was one of the hardest things I've had to do. A lot of the time if I was working on a particularly stressful or tedious article, I'd pop open a beer just to get rid of some inhibitions and enjoy the process more. And you know how it goes. First it's one, then another, then before you know it it's two more, and next thing you know it's 5:00 PM and you're already down a six pack. Then after work you have another just to congratulate yourself on a job well done, haha! Okay maybe I had a bit of a problem, but the point stands, I love beer too.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

February 10, 2018
centurion
Though we are all freelancer and we all pass huge time on internet- we have to make it comfortable. For the last 5 years- I am a full time freelancer and outsouricng worker at marketplace. I use some times Laptop and some times mobile (android) for doing works on internet. Some times I work on table, Some times I work on chair, Some times I work on outside. By changing the position and time- I may enjoy myself. Some years ago I was only 55 kgs weight but now I am 90 kgs of weight.

Thanks
Centurion

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
centurion,
I know what you mean--at one point, when I was working in an office cubicle, I got up to 245 pounds! It was disgusting. I am down to 195 now, and still losing weight, but I have to work at it because of my age, slow metabolism, and my lifestyle. I can't tell you how many times I go out to eat with friends and they order whatever they want, but I have to make the low-calorie "healthy choice". In any case, a sedentary life, the life of the freelancer, the desk jockey, etc. can be unhealthy, so we all have to find out own balance and ways to compensate for that right?

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

March 25, 2018
fishbate
Running is a great way to get healthy and rejuvenate your body...Although some of us do our stuff late at night, a good 15-30 minute run a day will make a difference. It really doesn't matter what time you are running, its the physical activity that matters, sitting in front of your computer or laptop tend to make you susceptible on some health issues. Exercising can help your body maintain balance.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

JoeMilford Author
fishbate,
I actually recently purchased a treadmill, so, in that way, I can run or jog whenever I please, even late at night. Still, I would much rather prefer to run outside and on trails and in parks, but, because of my schedule and because of the weather, I do not always have the luxury of this experience. I agree that physical activity is such a must, and I turn 46 in June, so it is a huge factor in my own personal heath and lngevity. My freelance job can get in the way of my exercise at times, but I try to stay diligent and to push myself towards a balance between my work life and my personal well being.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

May 30, 2018
ballyhara
Wow! I don't have quite a schedule as some have here. Honestly, I live my days one at a time, without planning too much, because every time that I try to make a plan/schedule, something happens that never allows it. So, these days I'm going back to Yoga, and I try to do it early in the morning, that way I can use the rest of the day for freelancing. Some days, I just don't do Yoga and hit the stationary bike instead, at least 25-30 minutes a day, so that will make my cardio quote. Another thing to do is to use stairs instead of elevators, walking instead of driving, you know, simple cardio exercises.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

August 12, 2018
overcast
I have started to go to gym since January. And that is going on consistently for me. And so far the change is good. I have started to think about the metabolism change. And that means it may take some time for me to get back at health properly. I have also started to read on the paper instead of the screen. So that makes me want to read some content new if possible. So far the freelancing is a bit body pain and mental pain so far.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

August 13, 2018
jaymish2
I think that it is very important to have a routine. E.g what time to sleep, wake up and what activities to engage in all day. I make sure that I control my diet, because it is very tempting to have snacks while you are working. From Monday to Friday I am on a strict diet, when I want to indulge I do it during the weekend. I also make sure to work out to take regular walks. Freelancing is not an excuse to let yourself go, If you succeed in it, its like living your best life, on your terms so this must be reflected in all areas of your life.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

September 24, 2018
jeffreyjose48
I would like to share this healthy tips for all of you:

If you care for your lungs, avoid smoking.
If you care for your heart, avoid excess salt.
If you care for your liver, avoid excessive fatty foods.
If you care for your stomach, avoid cold food.
If you care for your intestine, replace junk food with vegetables.
If you care for your pancreas, avoid over feeding.
If you care for your kidney, drink a lot of water during the day; drink less water at night. Empty your bladder before going to bed.
If you care for your brain ,sleep 8 hrs between every 16 hrs.
If you care for your friends, send them these lines.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

November 4, 2018
Kakashi2020
As an online freelancer I'm very conscious about my health and that's why I exercise daily. I do a bit of cycling in the morning after breakfast and I go to the gym twice or thrice a week. I also drink vitamin and mineral supplements to maintain my body's health. I regularly do my work at night until dawn and sleep during the day but I always make it a point to do some physical exercise daily to maintain a healthy and fit body.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

November 12, 2018
Kakashi2020
One should also try different devices like phablets, tablets and large screen smartphones to do their online jobs. This works best if your doing writing jobs. This way you would be able to work while standing up or while commuting.

Enter a reason for deleting this comment

Please login or sign up to leave a commentJoin