I’m often asked how I maintain my weight when I work up to twelve hours a day, and keep in mind I’m not just working, but sitting for 12 hours.
It’s hard to believe the damage you can do to your body with sedentary desk jobs. Prolonged sitting has been linked to early death from heart attack and other diseases. It’s also been linked to high blood pressure, obesity, and impaired mental health. Although there is not concrete evidence as to why this is, it is suggested that being sedentary causes muscles to burn less fat and blood flow to be sluggish.
Yikes! All this doom and gloom news forces me to act so I do not become another statistic.
What can you do to be more active throughout your workday?
- Get up every 30 minutes or so and walk around your office.
- If you have the option for a standing desk, utilize it!
- Set reminders for yourself to get up and walk at work, and at home make it a habit if you are watching TV to get up during commercials so you aren’t sitting at work and home!
- Be sure to stretch your hips and hamstrings good! Constant sitting can leave them tight and cause problems down the road.
- Don’t skip the gym.
Some days I wonder if people think I’m ever in my office! I fill my water bottle half way up so I am forced to get up to get refills. I also take the longest route to get there. Sure, all my constant getting up probably takes a little away from my productivity but if it can add a few years to my life and keeps my mind fresh and invigorated I would say it’s worth the few minutes here and there!
Although my work schedule has been busier than ever, I have been in the gym more than ever lately as well. I want to continue to show people that you can work long hours and still maintain a healthy and lean physique. I keep healthy snacks at my desk and am consistent with taking my myHMB and multi vitamins.
I have some upcoming photoshoots in the works this year and I cannot take the risk of gaining weight from my full client load and sitting at a computer.
I refuse to be another statistic! Hopefully you can incorporate a few tips into your routines as well!
