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“Exercise more and lose weight.” That’s probably on almost everyone’s new year resolution list. But usually a few weeks into the year it starts to feel like this goal is nothing more than just wishful thinking, especially with an already cramped schedule.
It’s no doubt that being active and exercising regularly is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. But what if your day job makes it difficult to regularly exercise? You wake up early in the morning, rush out the door, get to work and sit in a cubicle or office for 8 hours, and by the time you get back home the last thing you want to do is more work, even if it is exercising. It might be a challenge at first, but adding these simple steps into your daily schedule is a surefire way to get in some physical activity:
1. Skip the lift, lift your legs
Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs. Or if you work on an upper floor in a high-rise building, get off the elevator a few floors ahead and travel the rest using the stairs.
2. Soak up the sun
Sitting indoors all day at work can get boring. It can also bring down your mood, especially if you work in a room with no windows. So why not soak up the sun a little and get your dose of Vitamin D? Spend half of your lunch hour walking around the area. You can walk with a work buddy or go it alone. Either way, your bones (and butt) will thank you.
3. Quench your thirst
Our legs are designed to move and sitting down all day doesn’t make them happy at all. So help them out a little and go get yourself some water or tea (or even coffee). Several of these short walks will do your body some good and make your legs happy. Hey, you might even strike up a good meaningful water-cooler conversation with a fellow thirst quench-er!
4. Walk the extra distance
Do you take public transportation to work? If so, you can get off a few stops away and walk the rest of the way home or to work. If you drive to work, this applies to you too! Find a parking space a few blocks from work and walk the rest of the way.
5. Visit rather than e-mail colleagues
Instead of e-mailing or calling co-workers, walk over to their cubicles and talk face to face. The same goes for communications with your boss. Besides, this can help build your rep as a hard worker if he/she sees you always discussing work-related topics with your colleagues. Just don’t abuse this method!
6. When all else fails, Deskercise!
Like the above exercise tips but want more ways to put in some actual workout time at your desk? Do some deskercises! Repeated isotension for an extended period helps strengthen muscles and shed some calories. Check out these practical (and some slightly embarrassing) deskercise ideas from greatist.com.
All these tips are great but we’d like to hear from YOU. What are some ways you fit exercise into your busy schedules? Don’t be a stranger, share below.
Glow365 
I like this post it was easy to read, and something I can easily apply to my life. I also loved the humor in it, Our legs are designed to move and sitting down all day doesn’t make them happy at all, I found that really funny. One way I get my exercise done is by walking, and taking the steps instead of the elevator. Thanks for sharing this.