Healthy Ways to Burn Calories at the Office

The good news is that the dog days have broken and winter is well on its way! The bad news is we all know what that means: With all the time spent indoors it can be easy to pack back on the pounds we lost during the warmer season. It doesn't help that we typically end up spending more time at work in order to get the cash we need to buy gifts for the holidays at the end of the year either. However, there are still some clever ways that you can burn calories without sacrificing your time. How you ask? Well why not work out at work? Here are some great ways to make the most of your multitasking at the office to stay healthy and fit during the holiday season!

Work Out Your Work Commute

If you live far away from the office, this can be a tough task to accomplish, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep the winter weight away during the holiday season. If you can't walk or ride a bike to work because of the distance, consider taking the bus or the subway. In addition to helping the environment and saving money on gas, you also give yourself the option of getting off a few stops early to walk or jog the rest of the way. If you must drive, give yourself a bit of extra time in the morning and park at the far end of the parking lot. Also, don't forget to take the stairs! If you work near the top of a 40-story office building, take the elevator and get off on the 35th floor to walk the rest of the difference. It doesn't take a huge chunk out of your day when you take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves everyday if you look for them. You'll be surprised the difference a little extra effort built up over time can make.

Eat Right

You may have heard the old wive's tale about how "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" before. Well, it turns out those old wives knew what they were talking about. Actually, studies have shown that those who eat a smart breakfast can jumpstart their metabolisms. Choose something like oatmeal, fruit, or scrambled eggs for breakfast. Each is loaded with good things that can really help you out in the mornings. In addition, you should also eat around five small meals a day, rather than three large meals with tons of calories. Studies show that if you go for a while without eating after the food has left the stomach, your body looks for ways to store up energy because it thinks you might not find any food again. Instead of burning the fat, it tries to store it up a little while after you eat. It may sound weird since most people think that not eating would cause their body to use up stored fat. In reality though, that only happens if the body has gone an exceptionally long time without food. People who go for long periods between meals tend to overindulge when they eat again which puts a burden on the stomach. Slowly munching on light, healthy, small meals throughout the day sends your body a signal that its not starving. Most people that use this technique keep their metabolism constantly going so they burn more fat! Its even better if the meals are homeade since you burn more calories making the food than you do waiting for takeout. Also, remember never to eat at your desk. Its unsanitary and often filled with distractions. Keep all of this in mind while at work and you're well on your way to melting that winter weight!


Make the Most of Break Time

Instead of using your break time to snack, play solitaire, or watch cat videos on Youtube, make the most of your time by using it to do healthy activities. Take a walk outside to get some fresh air. People who do this often return to their desks feeling much more energized and refreshed when they return to work than those who don't. If its raining or you can't escape for whatever reason, try to turn the dark weather into a sunny day at the office by chatting with some co-workers about something funny. Not only will it uplift the mood of the whole office, but studies also show that laughter can burn up to fifty calories if you do it for ten to fifteen minutes everyday! The upbeat mood does wonders for office environments because it relieves stress (which is a notorious fat builder). Keeping things light at work will make things more fun and give everyone a much more fulfilling day.

Sit Up Straight - Or Stand!

Sitting up straight is a simple way to give yourself a leaner figure. Make a habit of keeping a good posture while working and it will reward you with a trim figure that will make you the star of the cubicles. Sitting up straight helps to build up your abdominal muscles and burn a bit of extra belly fat to help you look thinner. Better yet, you may even decide to take the initiative of leaving behind your office chairs altogether in favor of standing up. There are plenty of office desks with modern design that provide ergonomic features such as height adjustability for those who prefer to stand on the job. Standing burns more calories than sitting, and most office environments are loaded with opportunities to make the change. Instead of instant messaging or calling someone you work with, walk to their office instead. All it takes is getting on your feet!

Deskercise?

Yep. Its a thing. If there's one thing that's great about stylish office cubicles with privacy is that they can provide a great opportunity for you to lose some of that winter weight without getting strange looks. Deskercising, or exercising at your desk, is a fabulous way to burn some calories at work. Believe it or not, there are actually plenty of office chairs with ergonomics that make wonderful exercise equipment. Some chairs have even been designed specifically to help people exercise and improve their posture so as to keep them healthier. There are tons of videos, classes, and even fitness websites with sections devoted to deskercising for those who want to stay fit without sacrificing their leisure time. Just hide a few exercise bands and some dumbbells in storage cabinets that save space in the office, and work with them during breaks. Keep all of these great tricks in mind, and you'll be one of the few who doesn't have to work to win back their summer figure when the ice melts into swimming pools!