Trying to Be Healthy at a Desk Job

I work a desk job like a lot of people, which means that I sit for eight hours a day (and that's not counting my bus rides to and from work). That's not super healthy, so I'm workng to combat it. Working desk jobs has seriously impacted the health of Americans and shortened our life spans. Here is a list of some things that I am doing to be healthier at work:

• I started sitting on an exercise ball. This helps me remember proper posture and works my core. They say it takes pressure off of your lower back, but those muscles get the most tired for me. I can bounce on it or do curls on it from time to time to be more active. I'm also working to have better posture in my regular work chair.

• I set hourly reminders in Outlook to get up and stretch.

• I lift my legs up for ten seconds at a time to work my core.

• I change positions and fidget a bit so that I'm not a statue. 

• I'm saving up for a stand/sit desk conversion kit. This would allow me to sit OR stand at work, as needed/desired. Standing is healthier and burns more calories. They're like $300-500 depending on what you want.

• I'm working to make sure that my desk is ergonomically correct. I have my monitors raised, support for my wrists, and my chair is designed to support my back. I just have to try to maintain good posture for my adjustments to all matter.

• I work out on my lunch hours (There's a gym in my building. Some of my coworkers go to nearby gyms. You could even just go for a walk.). I do about 20 minutes of cardio (run a mile and then walk) and then work out a specific body area. For example, Mondays I work my chest, Tuesdays are for my arms, Wednesday is back day, Thursday is leg/butt day, and Friday is for my abdominals.

Do you do anything to help yourself stay healthy despite a desk job? Sound off in the comments if you do so we can all learn from each other! :D

<3 - CFC

Quick and easy stretches for work.