Stay In Shape While Working a Desk Job

It can be hard to stay healthy as an adult. There are so many things you are responsible for and it is easy to put yourself at the bottom of the list. If you work a desk job, it can be even harder to find time to exercise and stay in shape. However, there are ways to get cr eative and get the most out of your workday and the time you have when you are not at work. Here are six ways to stay healthy and fit while working at a computer. 

Use Your Time Outside of Work Wisely

You probably work at least eight hours a day, but that does not mean you have to sit for the rest of your day. Find ways to move your body and feed yourself nutritional food. If you do not have a lot of time to cook, you could consider meal prepping in advance. If you find that you really need a boost in your path to wellness, you may want to search for what is thrive. Do not be afraid to try new programs and products that can make achieving a healthy lifestyle easier. 

Take Breaks

Although your job may be very demanding and time-consuming, it is important that you take breaks for your mental and physical health. Each hour or two, find a way to get something done that requires standing. It could be walking across the office to say hello to a coworker, standing up to make a phone call, going to fill up your water bottle, or simply walking around the office. Whatever you do, make sure you are not sitting during your break.

Ignore the Elevator

It may be tempting to take the stairs and use the elevator. But consider ignoring the elevator and use the stairs as much as possible. This will get your heart pumping, burn calories, and increase your energy over time. Find ways to increase physical activity throughout the day. You could begin by only using the stairs to or from your office, and increase this to strictly using the stairs over time. Use this time to take deep breaths and mentally organize what your tasks are this week, as this could be your alone time for the day. Your body will thank you. 

Get the Most Out of Your Lunch Break

You may be used to eating lunch at your desk, but you could consider leaving your office at lunchtime. Think about how much time you sit at your desk throughout the day, it can be exhausting. Take advantage of your midday break by intentionally walking to the lunchroom or even taking a walk around the block during this time. Whether you have an hour or thirty minutes, use this time to do jumping jacks, stretch, or touch your toes. 

Ask Your Friends to Join You

If your friends, family, or coworkers have desk jobs also, they could probably benefit from a healthier lifestyle as well. Talk to them and get them on board with your journey. You could start a walking club or choose 3-4 days a week that you meet each other at the gym. It could be easier to start a workout routine if you have support from those close to you. You can keep each other accountable and encourage each other along the way. 

Exercise At Your Desk 

Believe it or not, there are many ways that you can exercise without leaving your desk. You could try using your desk as support and do pushups throughout the day. You may take a short break each hour and do some calf raises while still being able to see your computer. You might consider doing a certain number of squats while you work, and there are even machines you can purchase to burn calories. Look into buying an under-the-desk elliptical machine, stretch bands, dumbbells for arm raises, or yoga mats for leg raises during your breaks.