One of the hardest things about working in an office would have to be sitting down for most of the day. What a huge change from running around crazy when you were a kid! Ok, so you're no longer a child, but that mean you should stop moving your body. If fact, if you are not moving the body you have been blessed with, you are in fact abusing yourself. That's right, the less we move our body, the quicker our body deteriorates. Of course our body will deteriorate anyway, however we have a lot of control over the rate this occurs.
So, the question now is 'How can I increase my fitness while in an office environment?'
Here are some simple ideas that will make a difference:
1) It's always important to have a good foundation so the ergonomics of your office space is a good starting point. Request training from a qualified individual if you are unsure how your workstation should be set-up. Think about using a Fitball instead of your regular office chair.
2) As important as looking away from the computer screen every hour is getting up from your chair frequently. Even if it's to fill up your water bottle or do some photocopying. You can offer to pick up office supplies for your colleagues, take the mail downstairs, or offer to buy coffee when your feel that you need a break from your desk. These seemingly insignificant things that force you to get up from your seat all assist in keeping the body moving.
3) Think of exercise like you would an important task in the office and break it up into small, manageable components. For example, in your morning break, walk up and down stairs. During your lunch break, use a pair of dumb bells and go for a walk and in the afternoon do some squats.
4) If you are pressed for time with back to back meetings and luncheons with clients, cut some of the idle chatter or try and finish meetings slightly earlier. Cancel meeting where a deal can be negotiated over the phone. With this extra time, organise for various exercises to be undertaken. Keep a pair of dumb bells, fitness ball and mat close by.
5) Always, and I mean always leave your desk at lunch time. Even if you have a deadline, a short break from your desk will only increase your productivity. Take your sneakers to work and go for a brisk walk. Ask a work colleague to walk with you. Perhaps even set a regular time that you and your work colleague can go together.
6) Join a gym or exercise class within close proximity of your office and go in your lunch break. Try and bring a friend which will increase your motivation level.
7) Use dumb bells while on the phone, stand up and stretch every hour. Stretch while taking a bathroom break.
8) Take the stairs instead of the lift. There is no cope out if you are in the top half of a tall building; take the stairs for as long as possible then use the lift to get you to floor.
9) Promote exercise in the office by making suggestions to your manager. If there is space in the office, a yoga instructor could come to work and conduct a class once a week. Or some basic gym equipment can be requested to be placed in an empty area of the office. Encourage management to sponsor employers for any charity sporting events in the area.
10) If possible, walk, run or cycle to work. This not only saves our environment, but increases your mental capabilities while at work.
By implementing small changes in your daily office routine, you will discover that it is possible to increase your fitness level. The trick is to try to stick with them until the exercises become a habit. Your guiding principle is to move as much as possible.
Rachel O'Neill is an online business owner who is passionate about educating others how to improve their quality of life through an active lifestyle and heathly diet.
For more time-saving advice for busy people check out [http://www.topbodysecrets.com/diet/exercise].
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