Tips on Losing Weight in the Workplace

It isn't always easy to refrain from eating a slice of Joe's birthday cake or from dipping your hand into the candy bowl at work, is it? The workplace, for some, can be detrimental if you are trying to lose weight or keep weight off. But what if you could have Joe's cake and eat it too? Here are some simple tips that you can incorporate into your daily regimen at work to help burn additional calories.

1. Drink plenty of water - Due to numerous published studies we all know that drinking at least eight glasses of fresh water per day will aid in weight loss. However drinking at least eight glasses of water per day in the WORKPLACE will also guarantee that you will not be glued to your chair for eight hours a day.
TIP: Drink a glass of water for every hour you spend at work. Then it will be up to you whether you walk or run to the restroom several times throughout the day.

2. Take the stairs - Walking up and down the stairs is great exercise and works all the major muscle groups of the lower body. You can burn approximately 100 calories in ten minutes just by walking up and down the stairs.
TIP: Take the stairs at work whenever possible. To increase the intensity take every other step instead of each individual step and you'll have buns of steel!

3. Get on the ball! - Did you know that just simply sitting on a stability ball instead of a regular chair works and strengthens both your core and postural muscles? There are numerous exercises and stretches you can do on a stability ball while sitting at your desk.

TIP: Depending upon your fitness level and familiarity with using stability balls there are a wide variety of exercises and stretches that can be performed.
One exercise that can be adapted for all fitness levels is the basic abdominal crunch. How you position yourself on the ball will determine the level of intensity.
Take a minute or two at your desk each day to perform numerous slow and controlled abdominal crunches. You'll be amazed at how effective the stability
ball truly is.

4. Split your lunch break - Not only does walking burn calories but it also gives you a mental break from the daily grind. We tend to focus on burning calories when we want to lose weight. But a common cause of weight gain for some people is directly related to the level of stress in their lives. Studies have shown that walking can have a meditative effect on the mind and body which in turn aids in reducing stress levels.

TIP: Instead of using your lunch hour to eat (or on the flipside get more work done) spend 30 minutes or more of that hour going out for a walk. Not only will you
be burning more calories but you will also come back to work energized.

Depending upon your job, your boss, the amount of flexibility you have at your workplace, etc., you may be able to incorporate all of these tips into your daily work schedule or maybe only one. However you are not limited to just the workplace. These tips can be just as useful at home. The key is to form good habits and stay consistent. Remember, your health is your wealth.