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The Realtor Diet

By Teri Deane

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX 100

November 15, 2007 01:43 PM

Yesterday, one of the new agents in our office was saying that ever since she started real estate she has developed a bad habit of eating at McDonalds. A lively discussion ensued about the terrible things we, as Realtors, eat -- if and when we eat.

I know that I am very bad about that. When I'm busy, I miss lunch and sometimes dinner. I'll grab pretzels or something out of the vending machine, and even convince myself that Peanut M&Ms are a healthy choice because of the peanuts.

So this made me wonder if it's just me and a few others. . .or do a lot of Realtors also succumb to bad eating habits when we're busy and running between appointments, skipping meals, etc.?

In our region, Broker Opens are common. If the food is good (or an agent has a reputation for a good spread) you should see the turn out! The Progressive Broker Opens are even better. Several agents with listings in the same neighborhood get together and have appetizers at one home, an entre at the next and dessert at another.

We're a hungry bunch, it seems. Feed us!

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Simon Conway

Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Realtors have diets? Who has time for food? Sheesh! - OK - sometimes I stop off on my way to or from somewhere if I skipped breakfast and it's 4pm!

Nov 15, 2007 02:33 PM

James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC

When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

I start the day with a power bar at home. It is the Starbucks next to my office and that damn candy dish on our office managers desk that kills me!!! Ugh.

Nov 15, 2007 03:19 PM

Emily Cross

The Muljat Group - Blaine, WA

I just joined our local gym! Yup - new suits (ones from a year ago are grossly tight) or a gym membership...hmmmmm. Turns out gym membership is cheaper! Not going to Micky-D's but boy am I packing on the pounds. Yuck! Realtor Diet? Maybe...Realtor Lifestyle - for me that's the problem!

Good Luck

Emily, Bellingham, WA

Nov 15, 2007 03:41 PM

Nancy Pav

Century 21 Redwood Realty - Ashburn, VA

Nancy Pav, Your "GottaHave" Realtor

The candy dish is my downfall too. I pack a healthy lunch but just can't seem to pass up a piece of chocolate.

Nov 15, 2007 10:13 PM

Teri Deane

RE/MAX 100 - Columbia, MD

Realtor, ABR, CRS, SFR - The Deane Team

From your comments I can tell I'm definitely not alone. . .

Michelle -- that dollar menu is just too good a deal -- esp when all I have left is a little change on the bottom of my purse!

Krista -- Zone bars. . .sounds good, I'll have to try those.

Anthony -- I totally agree!

Renee -- mmmm salad. . . good for you!

Joddie -- I also had gestational diabetes. I don't have high blood sugar, but I do think I suffer from low blood sugar (when I don't eat I get all shaky).

Court -- Every time I walk into a Broker's Open I'm starved and have this huge dilemma: do I dive into the food or be polite and actually tour the home?

Mary -- It must be the schedule we agents have to keep. Too bad you don't have the Broker Opens where you are. Aside from the yummy food for us hungry (and, as it seems, nutritionally challanged) agents, it's a great way to get a lot of Realtors to see your listings as well as a good marketing tool that sellers like too.

Chris -- Okay. . .now I can admit to chasing my M&Ms with a Coke! At least the food at Broker Opens is usually healthy and beats the fast food choices.

Toby -- Wow! That's a lot of hours. . . I certainly agree that one needs to find a balance (foodwise and workwise).

Simon -- You have a lot more stamina than I do. . .if I skip breakfast & lunch I'm totally dazed by the afternoon!

James -- We have a candy dish on the reception desk too (hard to pass up) as well as goodies (donuts, candy, cookies, etc.) on the counter in the office kitchen. So, so hard to avoid when you're hungry and in a time-crunch.

Emily -- You Go Girl! How about we all make a pact to start (and keep up with) a workout routine?

Nancy -- Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. . .oh, my! Now I have to go get me some!

Thanks for all your posts :-)

Nov 16, 2007 05:06 AM

Dawn Coulter

eXp Realty, LLC - Bloomsburg, PA

Helping clients say "Hello" to a "Good-Buy"....

I guess this is why we see a lot of heavier agents & a lot of terribly thin ones? haha. The ones who eat more are the ones making the money & the ones who don't, don't make the money? Just kidding.

I know, we all have bad habits!!!!! Here's some (kinda) food for thought....

since we all have "perfect" clients & NEVER have any frustrations....why not start memberships at local gyms to take out all of our stress?!?!

I know this works for me....I didn't lose any pounds, but my clothes are definitely fitting me differently!

Nov 16, 2007 06:35 AM

Frances C. Rokicki

Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC - Bolton, CT

Broker-Mentor,CRS

Lots of coffee in the am. I go for chocolate when I am working! LOL! I try to have yogurt and fruit for lunch, but, grabbing that hershey bar makes me sell! I try to drink lots of water and an extra apple, Buff would be proud!

It's a Good Life!

Nov 16, 2007 08:50 AM

Suzanne Sands

Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA

Somerset MA Real Estate

Teri,

This post is killing me! LOL! Everyone here needs to check in to the Active Rain Fit Club, we will get you all on track....:)

Nov 16, 2007 08:57 AM

Teri Deane

RE/MAX 100 - Columbia, MD

Realtor, ABR, CRS, SFR - The Deane Team

Dawn -- When I hit the gym and get those muscles pumping. . .stress just melts away. Brian Buffini recommends regular workouts (even if all you do is take a walk a day), and we all know what a work-a-holic he is!

Frances -- Buff would be proud! I've decided to eat one banana every morning (after soaking up a pot of coffee) and no coffee after Noon.

Suzanne -- Hear that everyone? There's an Active Rain Fit Club (wow) -- first post I went to offered up a list of healthy food on the go! I'm joining!

Thanks for your comments. . .

Nov 16, 2007 09:41 AM

Mike Klijanowicz

Cummings & Co. Realtors - Perry Hall, MD

Associate Broker @ Cummings & Co. Realtors

I find myself eating bad a lot when I am busy too, because that is what is there and is cheap and is quick! However, just because you go to McDonald's or Wendy's doesn't mean you have to eat bad. You can get a salad!

Nov 22, 2007 06:58 AM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I don't know why this is the case, but in my office we keep ending up at Dairy Queen in the summer -- and into the fall! Today, however, will be Turkey. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nov 22, 2007 07:00 AM

Susan Peters

Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA

The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Teri,

When I'm in a rush and starving I try to find a Taco Time and get get a natural soft chicken taco. It's fresh, reasonably healthy and filling.

The first office I worked at celebrated birthdays with German chocolate cake at 9:00 am every Monday morning. That always started the week off in a downward spiral. Fortunately my new office serves a healthy hot breakfast at our meetings.

Nov 22, 2007 07:15 AM

John Alesi

Century 21 Award - Mission Viejo, CA

(Orange County California Real Estate)

...eating at McDonalds...

Just tell 'em to double up on the lettuce, pickle and tomato. It'll help you reach your required number of servings of fruit and vegetables per day! And the French Fries....Oh, the French Fries...

Dec 03, 2007 10:40 AM

Christina Bennani-Persechini

Keller Williams Realty Boston North West - Lexington, MA

Realtor - The House For You

I always make time for lunch. Eating in the car just isn't going to cut it. Food is the only thing that seems to attract agents to broker opens here too.

Dec 03, 2007 10:33 PM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Teri, you bring up a good point. It seems I am always doing lunch with clients and friends. Then in the evening with my wife. I need to stop and start exercising again. Great post.

Dec 03, 2007 10:52 PM

Vanessa Stalets

RE/MAX Elite - Brentwood, TN

REALTOR, Brentwood TN Homes, Real Estate

I am a very hit and miss eater. If I am busy or in "the zone" I will skip and/or forget meals altogether.

Then bedtime comes and I am craving JUNK! The pounds go on, they come off..I am trying to get better about it and pack nutrition bars in my purse so I can at least get something in.

Dec 04, 2007 12:46 AM

Carolyn Gjerde-Tu-Davis

Lyon Real Estate - Davis, CA

Ca Real Estate

It seems like food is also used a lot to get agents to events. Snacks are often provided at office meetings, educational events, vendors bring in food. Then add in meals with clients or other agents and it is easy to eat too much.

Dec 06, 2007 06:24 AM

Vanessa Stalets

RE/MAX Elite - Brentwood, TN

REALTOR, Brentwood TN Homes, Real Estate

I really find the hard part is time. Time to eat the way I should, make it, sit down etc..

Convenience food is so easy, but so darn bad for you!! Arggg then the Holidays come and forget it! My office has food EVERYWHERE! Laughing while I munch on carmel corn.:.)

Dec 06, 2007 08:35 AM

Susie Genet

Chinowth & Cohen Realtors - Tulsa, OK

For those of you who don't live where there is a Quik Trip, I feel sorry for you! That is our favorite "realtor lunch" site! You can fill your car up with gas and eat at the same time, thus killing 2 birds with 1 stone! You can get eggrolls, taquitos, breadsticks--food that is easy to eat while driving and talking on the phone!

Dec 06, 2007 09:22 AM

Teri Deane

RE/MAX 100 - Columbia, MD

Realtor, ABR, CRS, SFR - The Deane Team

Thanks to everyone for your posts. Fast food or no food is one of the pitfalls of our chosen profession. . .particularly where we're in the car so much. The vending machines in the office & the sinfully sweet goodies people bring are so difficult to resist. . .quick, easy, satisfying. . .

Dec 07, 2007 11:57 AM