Freelancing can lead to wide-ass syndrome

It’s true. Most freelancers sit on their ass most of the time. No, I don’t have statistics. I’m just going by my own freelance experiences.

The folks over at Freelance Folder posted a timely — for me — piece this week about the (health) hazards of freelancing. And, I have to say, I couldn’t agree more.

When you are writing for five different clients, trying to meet or beat deadlines and constantly clicking away on your keyboard, the easy thing to do is eat fast, sleep less and push through ’til the end. You’re not doing yourself any favors when you go that route, though. This I know from personal experience.

Before I became a freelance writer I worked in a office with people I couldn’t stand. At five o’clock I was out the door. At lunch, I tried to go for walks and I always got up to take a break, get a snack or just walk around to visit with coworkers. Shortly before I broke free and began living the freelance life, I lost 95 pounds. (Yes, I was that fat.)

Now that I’m working for myself and totally in love with what I do, it’s easy to skip meals, work 18 hour days and totally ignore the gym. Guess what that’s earned me? That’s right, those 95 pounds snuck back up on me. (Yeah, I’m that fat again.)

And, this is why Freelance Folder’s post is so timely. Tomorrow, July 25, I’m starting fatty torture camp. (That’s not what it’s really called. It’s called “Step up and lose it.”)

This is my gym’s local version of Biggest Loser for all of us fatties who can’t take four or five months off from life for a reality T.V. show. To prepare, my husband and I have spent the past couple weeks eating through our cabinents. (I have a giant bowl of low-fat pudding sitting next to me this very second.)

So, wish me luck. It’s lard melting time. And, like the Freelance Folder post says, I know that getting off my tuckus and getting some exercise every day will actually help my freelance business become more successful.