Ok, so it isn’t exactly a workout like going to the gym is a workout, but these tips and tricks are perfect for encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Summer may be over, but your winter getaway is just a short season away, so make the most of your time at the office. Your body and your bikini will thank you.
Take the Stairs
Unless you work on the 20th floor, taking the stairs instead of the elevator does more for your overall health and fitness than you might think. Not only does it keep your leg muscles strong, but it’s a great way to sneak some extra cardio into your daily routine. If you do work on the 20th, maybe take the elevator to the 15th and leave the stairs for the final 5. (Breaking a sweat at the beginning of you work day isn’t exactly desirable for you or your co-workers”but feel free to take the full 20 at the end of your day!)
Posture
Slouching seems more comfortable that sitting up straight, right? Wrong. It actually tires your body out more than making an effort to maintain good posture. Consciously standing up straight, shoulders back, chin parallel with the floor, will improve your energy levels and strengthen your back and shoulder muscles. It may take a while to get used to, but will eventually become second nature.
Clenches
Ok, this may seem weird, but it really does show results. While sitting at your desk, or standing at the photocopier, take the opportunity to clench, hold, and release your abs or gluts. Though this technique isn’t going to get you a six pack or buns of steel, tightening and releasing for 10 minutes a day will keep your muscles active and maintain definition.
Leave Your Desk
Get up and walk around at least once an hour. Get a cup of herbal tea or take a trip to the washroom (if you do the first one enough you will have to do the second one), anything to get you up and your blood circulating. Stretching will do wonders for your energy levels, which will be beneficial not only to your work performance but also your mood. You’ll have ample energy for after work outings instead of crashing in front of the TV with a bag of potato chips.
Computer Lifts
Even if you leave your desk for 5 minutes every hour, that still leaves 55 minutes of sitting at your desk and in an 8 hour day, that’s a lot of sitting. So why not make the most of your time sitting with easy (and discrete) leg lifts. There will be no embarrassment as your legs are hidden beneath your desk, and a few reps of ten, lifting your straight legs from the waist, will improve the strength in your legs as well as your core.
