When you’re working out and taking care of your physique, for most people the idea is to lose weight, and maybe get tone. But your workout could be doing more for you, and your everyday activities could as well. You can even get in some fitness when you are in your office at work with the right tips and tricks.
First, you need to understand the implications of the sedentary life you lead, if you lead one. If your job has you sitting for extended periods of the day it could be shortening your lifespan. According to recent studies, sitting is as bad for your health as smoking. So, how can you add more movement into a busy day?
Take The Stairs
Elevators are for lazy people or people that can’t walk up the stairs for medical reasons. Don’t take them. Instead, take the stairs every chance you get, and the more floors the better when it comes to getting strong legs and a decent workout.
Taking the stairs does more than just exercise your legs. It can get to your core, and you arms can even get a workout. Plus, it gets your pulse going, which means it’s giving your heart a good workout too.
Consider A Standing Desk
Even if you get up and walk around sometimes, if your workday mostly consists of sitting, you’re still damaging your health. The only way to beat this is to get a standing desk so your workday is spent on your feet, but you can still feel comfortable working at a computer or while doing paperwork.
Pick Squatting Instead Of Sitting
If standing starts to get to you, opt for squatting instead of actually sitting. You may be amazed at the changes in your body, including your stomach, when you start squatting instead of sitting. Squatting is more natural for your body.
Some people use exercise balls at their desks, which allow you to sit in a way that somewhat mimics a squat, and helps work your core while you work at your job.
Walk Every Chance You Get
Even though walking for an hour won’t make up for sitting for eight, it’s still a good thing to do whether or not you sit a lot. When you are sitting, whether it’s at an office or at home, get up every twenty minutes and take a walk around, do some stretching, or even jog in place. If you can get outside and walk it’s even better.
To fit in more walking and fitness into everyday, consider parking farther from work, taking a walk around the block before you head into your house when you get home, take the dog for a walk everyday (they need exercise too), or play tag with your kids.