Stay Active - Even If You Have an Office Job

Sitting at a desk within a cubicle all day is akin to a death sentence. Chances are, if you are at a desk, you are probably typing all day or dealing with phone calls. Thus, you probably suffer from back aches and sore wrists.

In addition, you have probably put on some weight and generally come home tired all the time even though it feels as though you hardly exerted any sort of physical energy all day.

While most people would prefer to be on their feet and away from their desks, most do not have that luxury if they work in an office.

The best bet to remain in shape, and energized for life (not just your day job) is to start inserting more activity into your daily routine, reduce the number of trips you take to the office vending machine and start watching what you eat.

For the most part, the people who walk during their lunch breaks, exercise a certain dedication that most do not have. Most people do not care to fit in a little fitness routine at work. So, if you want to start getting some physical activity into your daily routine, think simple.

Engaging in stretching exercises such as pilates after work is a good way to exercise, stretch and end your day on a relaxing note. In addition, you will end up strengthening your abdominal muscles and will probably be encouraged to move on to more challenging forms of exercises or stretching.

Another good, quick workout after work is to invest in some resistance bands to work out your arms. A lot of people think weight training or toning your body will give the body a bulky appearance. However, moderate weight training will speed up your metabolism helping you to burn fat faster.

These basic exercise routines will not help in shedding large quantities of weight and instead are meant to be used as ways to maintain your current weight.

While at work, it is best to stay away from the vending machines and from going out to eat on your meal breaks. If you absolutely must eat at work, eat several snacks of small portions throughout the day. Salads, lean chicken, nuts and vegetables are good ways of getting through the hunger pains at work.

If you end up loading up on foods and stuffing yourself during lunch, you end up lethargic for the rest of your shift and you don't burn much of it sitting at your desk for the rest of the day. Trader Joe's offers a variety of alternative snacks that are a little more healthy. You may spend more than what you would normally want to spend at a grocery store. However, the money spent is nominal compared to what you might waste going out to eat or buying meals from a vending machine.

Working eight hours at a desk five days a week does not have to be the end of you maintaining a healthy body. It just means you may have to work a little harder for it.