Lose Weight While You Work

You've heard that a desk job leads to weight gain, but I am here to tell you that that rap can be beat. In a recent study, more on-the-job standing and walking led workers to lose an average of 9 pounds and to lower triglyceride levels by nearly 40% in 6 months. Slim down on the clock with these sneaky fat burners:

• Plan walk-and-talk meetings, Take a brainstorming stroll. If you need to keep notes, book a distant conference room.

• Get fit on the phone. Stand up to double your calorie burn while you chat. Pace or march in place and you can blast about 225 calories for every hour you rack up throughout the day.

• Use a small water glass. You'll boost your step count getting up for refills and bathroom breaks. Bonus plateau-breaker: Use the facilities on a different floor.

• Buy a desk stepper. Burn around 91calories in 20 minutes (without standing up) with an under-the-desk cardio machine that works like a mini stair stepper. Most cost less than $50 and are available at big box chains, like Wal-Mart.

• Ditch your trash can. Use trash and recycling bins on the other side of the building to increase your step count.

• Start "e-mail -free Fridays." Walk messages to colleagues as much as possible. The habit may stick the rest of the week.

• Find fitness buddies. Challenge coworkers to a friendly step-count competition. Wear pedometers to see how much you walk in a week-winner gets a coffee.