I work in an office job that can be very demanding with lots of emails, report writing, presentations, meetings, commuting, etc.
Unfortunately, I know that I am amazingly more productive when I have sugery snacks (like x2-3 more productive). I am more alert, think more clearly, digest complex information/reports better, procrastinate less, work faster & better, more upbeat, etc.
I have been exercising/dieting for the past 2 months after a break and the same cycle seems to happen.
EDIT: So just to clarify with the above:
- I am 5ft 10 inches and currently 230lbs.
- I've lost weight before, but then had mix of reasons that is primarily work stress (changing jobs, increased workloads over a month or two period a few times, etc.). That ends up with me falling back on bad habits to get through it (long hours work, not exercising, not dieting, eating sugery snacks). It gets done, but I've then gained weight and back to getting healthy again.
- I am currently eating 1500-1600 calories a day (400 for breakfast, 400 for lunch, 500 for dinner and then 200-300 for milk in coffee/tea and healthy snack). I then alternate days of running 5k and strength training at the gym with Fridays as my rest day.
- I am fine with the above (i.e. no cravings, not hungry), but comparatively more sluggish and not on the ball like I am when I am eating sugery foods. That is fine when work is easy...
- However, I have a full on month starting this week of writing strategic reports/ plans/ funding bids that require indepth research, innovative thinking, etc. on a large scale that is communicated in a way to influence various stakeholders, facilitating high profile meetings (i.e. CEOs/Directors from multiple organisations in the public sector), writing /delivering presentations, commuting four hour round trips a couple of times a week, etc.
- When it is complicated work like the above that is on a time limit I resort to sugery snacks because it helps me concentrate, think more clearly, be more efficient, etc. I feel more somebody on Suits cracking a case... otherwise I don't really feel like I am working well... which also makes me feel guilty that I am not putting out my best work.
Solutions from the comments:
- If you want sugery snack then have it and take it out of your daily calories or eat healthier on maintenance.
- Make sure I am getting at least 7 hours sleep.
- Replace sugery snacks (eg jam on toast) with fruit or double check my macros (ie make sure I am having enough protein and carbohydrates)
Also... damn autocorrect!
Unfortunately, I know that I am amazingly more productive when I have sugery snacks (like x2-3 more productive). I am more alert, think more clearly, digest complex information/reports better, procrastinate less, work faster & better, more upbeat, etc.
I have been exercising/dieting for the past 2 months after a break and the same cycle seems to happen.
- Work is quiet/manageable so diet and exercise routine goes well
- I'm a bit sluggish / slower at work, but still able to do the job
- Will have a busy week/month of deadlines, high level presentations, etc. and my diet/exercise needs to take a backstep (i.e this week I have been waking up at 5.30am to work, commute to venue for a presentation, do emails/report, etc. when I get back home till about 6pm at which point I am exhausted). I know this week is a write off, but I am know most of Sept and Oct will be busy.
EDIT: So just to clarify with the above:
- I am 5ft 10 inches and currently 230lbs.
- I've lost weight before, but then had mix of reasons that is primarily work stress (changing jobs, increased workloads over a month or two period a few times, etc.). That ends up with me falling back on bad habits to get through it (long hours work, not exercising, not dieting, eating sugery snacks). It gets done, but I've then gained weight and back to getting healthy again.
- I am currently eating 1500-1600 calories a day (400 for breakfast, 400 for lunch, 500 for dinner and then 200-300 for milk in coffee/tea and healthy snack). I then alternate days of running 5k and strength training at the gym with Fridays as my rest day.
- I am fine with the above (i.e. no cravings, not hungry), but comparatively more sluggish and not on the ball like I am when I am eating sugery foods. That is fine when work is easy...
- However, I have a full on month starting this week of writing strategic reports/ plans/ funding bids that require indepth research, innovative thinking, etc. on a large scale that is communicated in a way to influence various stakeholders, facilitating high profile meetings (i.e. CEOs/Directors from multiple organisations in the public sector), writing /delivering presentations, commuting four hour round trips a couple of times a week, etc.
- When it is complicated work like the above that is on a time limit I resort to sugery snacks because it helps me concentrate, think more clearly, be more efficient, etc. I feel more somebody on Suits cracking a case... otherwise I don't really feel like I am working well... which also makes me feel guilty that I am not putting out my best work.
Solutions from the comments:
- If you want sugery snack then have it and take it out of your daily calories or eat healthier on maintenance.
- Make sure I am getting at least 7 hours sleep.
- Replace sugery snacks (eg jam on toast) with fruit or double check my macros (ie make sure I am having enough protein and carbohydrates)
Also... damn autocorrect!