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continued:

Workplace exercises: How to burn calories at work

No. 6: Get social

Organize a lunchtime walking group. You might be surrounded by people who are ready to lace up their walking shoes — and hold each other accountable for regular exercise. Enjoy the camaraderie, and offer encouragement to one another when the going gets tough.

No. 7: Conduct meetings on the go

When it's practical, schedule walking meetings or walking brainstorming sessions. Do laps inside your building or, if the weather cooperates, take your walking meetings outdoors.

No. 8: Pick up the pace

If your job involves walking, do it faster. The more you walk and the quicker your pace, the greater the benefits.

No. 9: If you travel for work, plan ahead

If you're stuck in an airport waiting for a plane, grab your bags and take a brisk walk. Choose a hotel that has fitness facilities — such as treadmills, weight machines or a pool — or bring your equipment with you. Jump-ropes and resistance bands are easy to sneak into a suitcase. Of course, you can do jumping jacks, crunches and other simple exercises without any equipment at all.

No. 10: Try a treadmill desk

If you're ready to take workplace exercise to the next level, consider a more focused walk-and-work approach. If you can safely and comfortably position your work surface above a treadmill — with a computer screen on a stand, a keyboard on a table or a specialized treadmill-ready vertical desk — you might be able to walk while you work. In fact, Mayo Clinic researchers estimate that overweight office workers who replace sitting computer time with walking computer time by two to three hours a day could lose 44 to 66 pounds (20 to 30 kilograms) in a year. The pace doesn't need to be brisk, nor do you need to break a sweat. The faster you walk, however, the more calories you'll burn.

Want more ideas for workplace exercises? Schedule a walking meeting to brainstorm ideas with your supervisors or co-workers. Remember, any physical activity counts!

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References
  1. McCrady SK, et al. Sedentariness at work: How much do we really sit? Obesity. 2009;17:2103.
  2. Beers EA, et al. Increasing passive energy expenditure during clerical work. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2008;103:353.
  3. Levine JA, et al. The energy expenditure of using a "walk-and-work" desk for office workers with obesity. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2007;41:558.
  4. Thompson WG, et al. Feasibility of a walking workstation to increase daily walking. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2008;42:225.
  5. Levine JA, et al. Move a Little, Lose a Lot. New York, N.Y.: Crown Publishing Group; 2009:53.
  6. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx. Accessed June 23, 2011.
  7. Armiger P, et al. Stretching for Functional Flexibility. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2010:141.
  8. Ohlinger CM, et al. The effect of active workstation use on measures of cognition, attention, and motor skill. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2011;8:119.
SM00115 Sept. 24, 2011

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