Get Fit While at Work

These days, it seems as though more and more people are working longer hours and using the old "no-time-to-exercise" excuse.

Unfortunately, this lack of physical activity can be harmful to your health, as it increases the risk of obesity, back pain, poor posture, leg cramps and tense muscles, among other things.

Wouldn't it be great if you could find a way to fit in some type of workout during those 8+ work hours?

Well, the good news is…you can. It just requires a slight change in how you work or get to work, to make a meaningful improvement.

Cardio

Schedule walk-and-talk meetings. Who says a meeting needs to be held around a table? Take a brainstorming stroll with a colleague. If you need to take notes, schedule the meeting at a park where you can sit on a bench.

Avoid the elevator. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get two hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise to stay fit. Stair climbing for just 10 minutes, three times a day, for example, will total 30 minutes of heart-strengthening exercise, putting you well on your way to reaching that mark.

Take a stand. Set a timer to remind yourself to get out of your chair every 30 minutes. Use this time to walk to the water cooler or check in on a project.

Flexibility

Reach for the sky. Sitting at a desk all day can lead to neck pain between the shoulder blades. You can reduce the pain by reaching both arms up to the ceiling and arching your back. Then bring your arms down and stretch forward, opening the upper back. Do this every 20 minutes.

Stretch out your shoulders. Sit straight in your chair and reach one hand behind your back with your palm out. Then reach your other hand up and bend it down, trying to touch both hands. Hold for 10 seconds.

Point your fingers. Typing for eight straight hours can be harmful to your hands, wrist and forearms. Stretch one hand in front of you, pointing your fingers toward the ground. Use your other hand to gently push your fingers down and toward your body. Repeat on the other side. Then, stretch your hands upward doing the same.

Strength

Tone your arms wherever you can. A great way to sneak fitness into your day is to do a few push-ups here and there. Remember, all you need is a flat surface – and it doesn’t need to be horizontal. Simply lean against a wall, desk or other sturdy surface and get a few reps in.

Rise up out of your chair. Even if you are stuck in your chair all day, you can still get some core work in. Throughout the day, simply lift yourself off your chair with your arms.  If your chair is on wheels, it'll be even harder to hold your body still.

Get your legs up. While sitting in your chair, extend one leg out straight in front of you and hold for a few seconds. Then raise it up as high as you can and hold it again for a few seconds. Repeat with each leg multiple times.

These simple actions can significantly increase your physical health. Squeezing in a little exercise also improves concentration and could actually improve your productivity.

Schedule an appointment
Or
Learn more about Penn Primary Care

Fight the Winter Workout Woes

Lori M. Noble, MD, a primary care physician at Spruce Internal Medicine, located at the new Penn Medicine Washington Square building, discusses ways to keep active during the colder months.

Lori M. Noble, MD

When it’s cold and blustery outside, your warm and fluffy slippers have a tendency to look much more enticing than your running shoes. Before you know it, one day off turns into two and, eventually, that short exercise break has turned into an outright sabbatical.

This doesn’t have to be the case, though. Some simple tips to help stay active this winter:

1. Switch it up: Who says you have to exercise the same way throughout the year? If you enjoy jogging or biking, there are great indoor alternatives to these activities.
   
   Try an exercise DVD series, sign up for an up-tempo Zoomba class, or try honing your swimming skills at the local YMCA. If you want to continue biking, get a stand that allows you to turn your road bike into a stationary one.


2. Squeeze it in when and where you can: You can burn calories by making small changes to your daily routine. Did you know that an individual weighing 200 pounds can burn up to 12 calories an hour simply by choosing to stand rather than sit? That adds up to about 100 calories in an 8-hour workday, which is about the same as running a mile!
   
   And we often forget that there is a built-in gym in every office building - the stairs. Take them whenever you need to go between floors. Take it a “step” farther and carve out part of your lunch break to walk or run a few flights.


3. Dress the part: If you know you won’t be able to get past the distractions at home or work to make exercising indoors possible, make exercising outside easier.
   
   You’ll need breathable, but fitted attire to keep warm and help reduce sweat. Because the body is mainly focused on warming your core, a hat, gloves, and warm socks are critical to feeling comfortable when the cold really hits.



4. There’s power in numbers: When motivation is lacking, nothing is more powerful than the support of a friend. Try organizing a neighborhood walking club, or reach out to that person with whom you just never have enough time to catch up. Time flies when you’re having fun, so that 30-minute jog will inevitably feel much shorter in the company of friends.


5. Track your progress: Setting goals is a great way to keep yourself motivated. Jot down your exercise plan for the month while keeping in mind the progress you hope to make. Keep the goals attainable, like increasing your workout by a few minutes each day. It's also nice to have a little reward planned once you've met your goal, like buying that new pair of sneakers you've had your eye on.

This winter, don’t let workout woes slow you down. Keep it interesting, and you’ll find it easier to keep moving.

Schedule an appointment
Or
Learn more about Penn Primary Care