Today, I had a chance to go back into the office.
It was great seeing familiar faces, “chatting” with colleagues, and having that one meeting we all came in for.
But as soon as the day unfolded, like a brick to the face, I was reminded how painfully inefficient it is to be in the office and how challenging it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle versus working remotely.
One of the first things that hit me was the food. The cafeteria offered a handful of “healthy” options, but they all felt packaged, processed, and far from satisfying. Compare that to my home setup, where I can throw together a fresh salad, blend a smoothie with fresh fruit and protein powder, and have complete control over my meals – it’s not even close.
There’s something about preparing your own food that goes beyond just the ingredients — it’s the freshness and the intentionality behind it. You’re in complete control.
Then there’s fitness.
At home, between meetings, I can sneak in some sets of pull-ups, lift weights, or hop on the treadmill for a quick burst of steps. Working remotely has completely changed my ability to integrate fitness throughout the day.
But at the office? There’s no gym.
I tried to go for a walk outside during lunch (which thankfully worked out due to decent weather), but I was in my work clothes, and it’s uncomfortable to do much when you’re dressed in office attire. You don’t want to sweat or mess up your clothes, so it’s not the same. At home, I can get sweaty during a workout, hop in the shower, and get back to work — or even hop into a meeting without a camera, still in the post-workout zone.
I log all of my food with MyFitnessPal to track my calories and macros (protein, fat, carbs).
I wear a Fitbit to track my steps and exercise calories.
The proof is in the data – at work, my nutrition suffers and I am physically inactive. This is just ONE DAY. It pains me to think of all the years prior to my working from home where I could have enacted real, sustainable, change sooner. But instead had too many days like this where I’m not taking care of myself.
Even the social aspect — arguably the biggest redeeming factor of being in the office — felt lacking. Sure, it’s nice to say hi to people you like. But everyone’s behind their cubicle walls, buried in their own work, running their own schedules. The face-to-face interactions I was looking forward to didn’t really happen beyond brief exchanges. I left the office without the feeling of fulfillment I expected.
And within minutes of being home and talking to my wife, and hearing from the kids about their days, I had more meaningful conversation than all of the hours at work combined. I felt whole.
This day reinforced just how much working remotely has allowed me to prioritize my fitness and nutrition. At home, I have the flexibility and freedom to focus on my health in a way that feels natural and sustainable. I can eat fresh, exercise whenever I want, and stay productive. It’s not just about convenience — it’s about balance.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that working remotely gives you the tools to make health and fitness a priority, seamlessly integrating it into your workday. Today was a reminder of how fortunate I am to have that freedom — and why, for me, remote work is the clear winner when it comes to living a healthier, more balanced life.
