Don't Pack On The Pounds Behind Your Desk

Don't pack on the pounds behind your desk! n nAn Australian research found that people who sat at their desks more than six hours a day are nearly twice as likely to be overweight than those who sit for less than 45 minutes a day. n nIt's no secret that sedentary jobs (and lifestyles) have contributed dramatically to the obesity rate for the past 20 years. A study conducted by the University of Chicago in 2001 found that a worker in a sedentary career may end up with a body mass index 3.3 units higher than someone in a highly active job. That would mean - if you are 5'5" your weight would go from 140 pounds to 155 pounds (a 15 pound weight gain)!n nNow that you've heard the bad news, here's the good news: n n5 Ways to be proactive in an inactive environment: n n1. Be sure to eat. It's easy to go through your day of meetings, e-mails and phone calls only to discover that it is 3:00pm and you haven't ate since breakfast. Your body needs energy to get you through the day. Make it a priority to have a healthy and tasty meal - along with 1-2 healthy snacks. n n2. Do the opposite. Compensate your sedentary workday by doing the opposite - exercise. Join a gym, take an early morning walk or run, or find time for fitness fun with your family. Buy 1-2 pieces of home exercise equipment that will allow you to exercise no matter what the weather. n n3. Don't involve food. Chances are, your friends and co-workers need help on their muffin tops (you know, that bulge around your belly that hangs over your pants...muffin top) just as much as you do. So, try some new activities that don't revolve around food. Organize bi-weekly volleyball games, walk during lunch, or play a quick round of mini-golf after work. n n4. Vary your routine. We all have them - those daily rituals, like heading upstairs to the cafeteria for a mid-morning latte and muffin. You can still have those items...but make it sometimes, not all times. n n5. Lose the technology. Modern advances are great, but don't miss opportunities to get up and move around. Deliver that memo in person, sit on a stability ball at your desk to improve your posture, part at the far end of the parking lot for a brisk walk to your building. You'll be surprised how quickly minor changes can improve your energy level and help you get fit. n nSTAT Alert!nOne in five Americans are obese; three in five are either overweight or obese. But sitting at a desk doesn't have to mean you'll be just another statistic! Incorporating these simple strategies into your workday will bring you one step closer to being a healthier, more energetic you. n