Get Up

[Beth]

My job requires me to sit at a desk for long periods of time which I have noticed has added some pounds to me. I read an article somewhere that said if you sit at a desk one way to lose weight is instead of e-mailing your co-workers for something you should always get up and go to them. That has really stuck with me, now I always get up and go to the people I need and I never ask anyone to do anything for me ( like hey can you fax this for me?) I always do it myself and I have noticed a diference.

[cincodeparkers]

Great ideas! i also park far away from the stores and my apartment and use stairs rather then elevators.

[Beth]

ooh I like that, I am always looking for the closest parking but now I'm going to park as far as I can (unless it's raining )! Thanks for the tip!

[Widdlecuddles]

These are great ideas. I too have a desk job where I seldom move for 8+ hours. I need to find a reason to get up and move more often. Thanks for mentioning it

[ABDenver]

I've learned to leave a snack in my car, fruit, veggies, bag of healthy trail mix, etc. When snack time rolls around, you have to walk all the way out to your car, and back. You cna get even more exercise if you take the stairs.

A co-worker of mine gets up three times a day, and strolls around the building a few times. Nothing that will make her sweaty, but she comes back in a good mood and she claims it helps her clear her mind.

All these small steps will start to add up!

[weaverdelooh]

I work at a school where they've recently began a walking program for the children. They've clocked it and 4 laps around the school = 1/4 of a mile. Well, once the children have walked a total of 5 miles they earn some little kind of trinket. This is a new program that the principal started this year. Wouldn't you know it's a part of my job position from last year? I honestly wish I could be out there walking with all of those little kids. They walk around with such excitement and they really enjoy themselves.

[Tink]

My job is a mix of on my feet work and desk work. However, the on my feet part of the job is mostly standing around, with just a little activity. I've been trying to find ways to increase my movement at work. The biggest thing I've found is small ankle weights. I can wear them under my slacks, so as not to draw attention, and they are heavy enough to increase the activity, but light enough to be safe.

[sandollar1977]

I too have a desk job. Some things I did in the past...of course, taking stairs...parking farther away....other things you can do...there are little exercises you can do at your desk (w/out any embarassment lol)...try doing some leg extensions....just sit in your chair and lift your foot off the floor...repeat for several reps....switch legs....there is actually a lot we can do to help keep it rolling....and having these boards helps too! Motivation is such a key factor!

[2BALoser2]

I have a desk job as well, a lady in the cube next to me, we push each other to drink a large glass of water every 2 hours and then we walk together to get ice and water and we always take the long way. This gives us a nice break to relax and by pushing each other we get our water in while still at work. It has been working very well for us.

[ABDenver]

This response is a bit idealistic, but by law you are allowed to take 2 15 minute breaks and at least a 30 minute lunch per 8 hour shift. The lunch doesn't have to count towards your 8 hours, but the 15 minute breaks do.

So, if you are really committed to the exercise and your body can handle it, you could use your two 15 minute breaks to walk. Go out side and just walk for 15 minutes, or if you are looking for more calorie burn and your office has stairs, go up and down the stairs for 15 minutes.

If you job is such that you can't do this, you might try to make your self do 15 - 25 minutes of either exercise at the end of your day. Rather than go home, get dressed to work out, and then find 1 of 1000 excuses not to do it (Biggest loser in on TV, the kids need food, I need food, house is a mess, etc) you could do your exercise as soon as you finish at work. Go walk for 20 mins, do the stairs for 20 mins, even find an empty office and do some stretching. Anything active...

It's worth being sweaty in your work clothes if you make yourself do it, then, when you do get home, you'll be so happy you did it, your evening will have less stress and 0 guilt. Now that I type this, I'm going to start doing this.....