
Editor’s note: This article is the fourth in a series that covers the issues of exercise and the workplace.
Dear Working Athlete,
When I’m at work I find it difficult to maintain “healthy” lifestyle choices. There is always junk food in the break room and I have a hard time turning it down. What’s the best way for me to continue my healthy choices while at work?
– Tempted Athlete
Dear Tempted,
Everybody has a different idea of what is healthy and what isn’t, however if living and eating healthy (based on your definition) is something you’ve decided to do, then there are some lifestyle changes that are helpful for success.
Self-discipline is a major challenge working-athletes encounter on a daily basis. Having to set aside time in the day to work out and (attempting to) eat healthy are some examples of these challenges in self-discipline. However, these things can be easier to handle with the right amount of support.
Full-time employees spend about 8 hours, or one-third, of their day at work. If you don’t consider the number of hours you spend sleeping, then work takes up a majority of your time spent awake. You are around coworkers for most of the day and so it is important to find support in your goals from these people.
Coworkers that are supportive of your goals make it easier to achieve. It’s not easy declining a coworker’s donut offering or a fast food run, but it is easier if you and others have the discipline to say ‘I’ll pass.’ There will always be people that will comment on your choices, but as long as it something you want to do, then their comments should not matter.
BOTTOM LINE:
Try to remember why you decided to maintain an athletic, or healthy, lifestyle and stay focused on it. There are many distractions at work that can lead people to deviate from their goals and sometimes it’s easier to stay on track with a good support system.
Having a coworker, or coworkers, with similar goals can help you say “no” to the empanada and donuts in the break room, and encourage you to bring exercise clothes for after the work day ends. Knowing that other people in similar situations are able to accomplish these little things on a daily basis can help boost your motivation to do the same.
Quick tips for an ‘athlete-like’ work day:
- Bring a refillable water bottle- Staying hydrated is important for athletes, especially if you plan on exercising after work. Also, having to refill your bottle throughout the day forces you to get up and walk around.
- Pack lunch or eat lunch with a coworker with similar eating habits- It’s hard to eat healthy when you’re eating next to someone with a big burger. Eating with someone that also eats healthy is easier and less tempting. Packing lunch also prevents you from going out to get unhealthy, convenient food.
- Walk to a nearby restaurant during lunch- If you are going to eat unhealthy, you should probably walk to that restaurant if within walking distance. Make it a reward for surviving the heat.
- Make exercise a social event with coworkers or friends- Plan to go for a run, cross fit session, zumba party, pickup game of basketball, etc. with you coworkers or friends after work. This can transform the dreaded task of exercising into a social event that you anticipate.
Until next time, stay active.
-The Working Athlete
The Working Athlete is better known as Derek Mandell. Derek is a two-time Olympian and brings a refillable water bottle to work.


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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