Blog: Five Ways to Stay Fit in the Workplace

Bikini season is most definitely here, and if you’re anything like me, a crazy schedule can get in the way of achieving your summer fitness goals. Sometimes it’s hard to designate time to working out, so here at the chamber we came up with a few ways to slim down in the office. Employers, we encourage you to spread these tips to your employees. After all, healthy employees are happy employees. Not to mention healthy employees use less sick time and will help out
with insurance rates.

1. Rise and Shine!

One great way to burn a few extra calories is instead of hitting the ten minute snooze button in the morning take a ten minute walk! I will be the first one to admit that I love my snooze button, but getting a brisk walk in right away in the morning can not only help you burn calories, but also put you in a better mood so you can are fully prepared to tackle your work day.

2. Good Posture

Sitting up straight strengthens your core and back muscles. Not only does this make you appear thinner, but it can also contribute to weight loss. Muscles burn more calories than fat, so the more muscular you are, the more calories you can burn doing everyday activities. Having good posture can also alleviate back and neck pain, which allows you to be more productive and feel better in the workplace. Looks like a win-win to me!

3. Get Creative

Whether you are doing specific exercises at your desk or simply fidgeting, moving is always better than not moving! Think outside of the box and come up with some good ways to keep active. Some good exercises to try are:

a. Leave your lunch in the car so you have to walk to go grab it at lunch time.

b. Jog in place while waiting for your copies to be printed or for your browser to load.

c. While sitting in your desk, extend each leg in front of you for two second and repeat 15 times.

d. Pack a few extra books in your brief case or purse and carry it with you to all of your meetings or events   

e. Set a timer to remind you to leave your desk for a few minutes every hour and walk around the office.

4. Pack Snacks

An important thing to remember about staying fit is that having a healthy diet is equally as important as exercise. One way to keep your diet intact is to make sure to pack healthy snacks ahead of time. By taking the time to pack fruits you will feel that much more obligated to eat them rather than making a trip to the vending machine!

5. Drink Plenty of Water

The benefits of drinking water are countless and it is so important for your overall health to be drinking plenty of water. According to WebMD, not only does it speed up your metabolism, but water is also a natural appetite suppressant, so you’ll eat less. It will also provide you with more energy, so when you do decide to hit the gym, you’ll be able to work out to your full potential.

I hope this blog finds you happy and healthy this holiday!  We encourage
you to give some of these ideas a try. Make sure to let us know how you like to
stay fit in the workplace and which one of these ideas worked the best for you!
Thanks so much for reading:)

Want some great ideas on workouts to do at your desk?  Maybe need some
ideas on what healthy snacks to pack for work?
Check out our “Workplace Wellness” board on Pinterest. http://pinterest.com/dcrchamber/workplace-wellness/

-Megan, DCR Chamber Intern