Freelancing offers plenty of rewards: more time to spend with loved ones, or on a hobby, or just to develop one's skills, freedom to choose clients and projects, possibly even more money, if you play your cards right. There are hazards to becoming a freelancer as well, and one of these is--believe it or not--weight gain.

Yep, along with the good comes the bad, and an unbridled access to the kitchen and refrigerator can greatly spur on all the munching you can't do regularly in an office. There's also the fact that you may find yourself living a more sedentary lifestyle than when you were going to work. Sitting in front of a computer also presents an irresistible opportunity to munch on some snacks! I'm not the only one who's noticed this negative effect of life as a freelancer. I know quite a few people who've also encountered the same thing, gaining five, ten pounds within a year of freelancing. If you're one of these people, then you no doubt feel that you have every right to just lie around in your pajamas and do the work when you need to, and spend your free time munching or watching TV. After all, you've been working hard in an office these past few years, and it's about time you enjoyed being at home, right?

Er, that's all well and good, but you shouldn't get too comfortable in your pajamas, or you'll eventually discover that your weight has started to balloon. And no, you can't use the excuse that you no longer have time to exercise. That probably worked when you spent countless hours in the office, but now that you're working at home, it sounds a wee bit unbelievable, unless you are completely swamped with freelance work all the time.

The important thing for you to do is to really make the time to exercise, and to learn how to manage your time better. You won't be able to fit in a workout session when you wake up at two in the afternoon, then madly rush through all your work for the day and try to get everything done by the time evening rolls around. It's always a good idea to start your workday early then take off for a couple of hours to get some exercise. When you take a break, you can also use the time to lift some weights or have a quick jog around your neighborhood.

As for the snacking, it's best for you to ease up on it. Oh, don't cut it out entirely. After all, snacking can help you think sometimes (I remember how I used to have snacks surrounding me when I had to review for an exam or finish a paper. They certainly helped keep me awake!). You should probably go for some more healthful options, though. Try snacking on cereal bars, fruits, or baked chips.

So don't get complacent about your size and your appearance even though you're just working at home. Getting and staying healthy is always best, and looking great is just a bonus. Imagine how you'll feel when your former coworkers and supervisor see you and tell you how amazing and refreshed you look :D