The Daily Balance

Are there times when you simply just don’t WANT to work out? Or maybe you really don’t have time…(worst excuse ever, by the way!)

Today I’m here to show you how you could fit a tiny workout in your work day. While this won’t help you run a marathon or give you guns of steel, you can do stretching, muscle strengthening and even short bursts of aerobic exercise right at your very own desk.

Read “Exercise at Your Desk” from WebMD to get started.

Now, I don’t know about all of you, but I’m pretty sure I’d get a few strange looks if I were to start jogging in place at my desk. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get moving during my lunch break! For example, yesterday I called the Mister over my lunch and walked up and down the stairs for about 20 minutes while talking about our days. It got my heart rate going and loosened up my muscles. Plus, I burned about 150 calories doing it! Not bad for an afternoon pick-me-up…

Need a discreet abdominal exercise you can do while sitting down? Check out the seated ab exercise from fitsugar.

I’ve also found that the seated knee lift can be done at work quite easily. This exercise not only tones your abs, but it’s skirt and heel-friendly.

Simply sit up straight in a firm, armless chair. Grab the chair’s edges just in front of your hips. While supporting yourself with your hands, slowly draw your knees up toward your chest while breathing out, keeping your lower back pressed against the chair. Hold, then slowly lower.

Have a work friend who also cares about health and fitness? Bring your tennis shoes and walk over lunch. It’s a great way to break up the day and get some fresh air.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! (image credit: associatedcontent.com)

How do you keep your body moving during the workday? Any other tips on how to fit in fitness?

Reminder – have you entered my asian all-natural food giveaway (more than $25 value!) from the folks at Annie Chun’s?

7 Responses to “Work it – How to fit in fitness on any schedule”

1. Mariposa said:

   i drink lots of water so i have an excuse to get up and walk to the ladies room.. its a long walk so i try to do it like 5 or 6 times a day at least!! but i do like the seated ab ex. there.. speaking of sneaking in workouts.. i put up another video.. come and watch it!!

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 3:12 pm | Reply
2. Emily said:

   when i had an 8-5 office gig, i always took a walk at lunchtime. at my desk at home, sometimes i’ll sit on a balance ball, and i’ve got resistance bands that i’ll pull out for a little strengthening, stress-relieving break. there really are lots of ways you can work some movement in to your day!

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 3:42 pm | Reply
3. Biz said:

   On days that I am organized (which I wish were more!) I try to break up my exercise throughout the day.

   Example: Ride my bike before work for 45 minutes; 20 minute shred at lunch with co-worker; 10 minute walk cool down after shred; 30 minute walk with the dog after dinner – and in one day I’ve had 105 minutes of exercise!

   Now if I could just do that every day!

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 3:46 pm | Reply
4. Rose said:

   Lots of water drinking! Which means lot of bathroom trips

   I’m not sure if you had a chance to check out my 15-MCC challenge (it’s over now) but this would have been a perfect post for it! I might send it to some of the ladies who participated.

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm | Reply
5. Kristie said:

   I’m going through the don’t want to work out thing RIGHT now haha.
   Some great tips though! I like your idea of walking up and down the stairs while chatting on the phone. Stair walking is AWESOME.

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 5:15 pm | Reply
6. K said:

   I purposely park FAR away so I have to walk and I always take the stairs. Half of the time, the stairs are quicker than the elevator anyway!

   Posted on May 27, 2009 at 6:08 pm | Reply
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