Working Well: Get Moving While On The Clock

Just because you’ve clocked in doesn’t mean you have to clock out of your wellness routine

I’m going to make a bold declaration (and I’ve got the facts to back me up): Desk jobs make you gain weight.

Studies on the health concerns of living a sedentary lifestyle — spending lots of time sitting or lying down — are alarming: it’s one of the main culprits in the country’s growing obesity rate, it nearly doubles the risk of heart attack, it plummets metabolism and shortens lifespan.

Freaked out yet? Me, too. That’s why, even after we’ve clocked in at our jobs, we have to continue to keep moving. Check out these ways to work well while on the clock:

Park further away. Begin and end your workday the right way — with a nice walk before and after you begin your day’s work. Find the furthest-away parking spot, pull on your sneakers and get walking. Got a heavy bag or suitcase? Perfect bicep curls for an added work out. Who cares if you get looks?

Start a lunchtime walking/running group. Kick your lunchtime social media habit and step away from your desk. Grab some of your work buddies for a lunch break walk or jog. Working out as a group will build camaraderie.

Return to the olden days of face-to-face communication. Emailing someone who works a few doors down from your office is just plain ol’ silly. Get your buns out of your chair and go pay them a visit. You’d be surprised how many steps you add to your daily count by swapping emails for actual deskside chats.

Take a break every hour to get moving. Set a reminder on your computer or phone to alert you to get up every hour. Want to kick it up a bit? Designate a different exercise for each hour — calf raises at 10 a.m., a one-minute wall sit at 11 a.m. and so on. A friend and I used to do this all the time — every day around 2 p.m. we’d do 90-second planks (I wouldn’t advise this if you share a workspace with someone or while wearing a skirt!)

Plan a monthly potluck with coworkers to introduce them to new, healthy food. If you’re reading this blog post, you’re likely way ahead of your coworkers in the endeavor of living a healthier lifestyle. So take the lead and organize a monthly potluck where you each bring a healthy dish and a recipe to share!

What are some cool ways you maintain your healthy lifestyle during work? Share the love in the comments section below!

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