Don’t just SIT there! Tips for squeezing in movement during the workday

Do you sit all day at work? Have you read that “sitting is the new smoking?”

Our bodies were not designed to sit and sit and sit. Multitudes of studies show the negative impact it can have on your weight, health, athletic performance, mood and even life expectancy. A Runner’s World article states, “There’s no running away from it: The more you sit, the poorer your health and the earlier you may die, no matter how fit you are.”

Well now that we are aware, what can we do about it?

Here are three tips we’ve developed to help get you more active during the workday.

1. Find ways to move more often. Take a walk [or jog!] on your lunch break. Take the stairs… maybe do them twice! Park in the overflow lot. Take breaks every hour to walk a few laps, do a few stretches, squats, lunges or your favorite yoga pose. This is also a great way to re-energize yourself when you hit that 2:00 slump and feel like taking a nap or grabbing your 3rd cup o’ joe. Or get creative & think BIG! Replace your chair with an exercise ball. Splurge and order a standing desk. Ride your bike to work. Create a wellness campaign with your co-workers. Challenge your friends to a little #stopdropandyoga. You can always find inventive ways to move… which also makes for a great Instagram photo. 🙂

2. Build time into your daily schedule for fitness and make it happen. Before work, during work, after work, whatever works [haha] for you! If you put it on your calendar and make it a habit, you’ll be more likely to stick with it.

3. Find something that motivates you. Personally, I am usually motivated by signing up for a race. Having a goal and keeping track of my training log is enough motivation to make sure I run, walk or move most days of the week. With my busy hectic schedule and current pregnancy status, my fall race calendar is bare. My usual go-to device is my Garmin, but my husband recently got me a Fitbit for my birthday and I’m loving it! Get in your 10,000+ steps per day!