Are you inspired by shows like The Biggest Loser, but not sure that spending 4 months at the ranch with Jillian Michaels fits your work schedule? Do you watch Dance Your Ass Off or Celebrity Fit Club wondering how you’re supposed to lose weight at work when you’re living in the real world instead of the world of reality television? It’s difficult to lose weight when you’re confined to a desk, but you no longer have to try extreme diets to make healthy changes at work. These simple changes at work can help you lose weight at work without going to boot camp!
Get moving (without breaking a sweat)!
You want to tone up, but no one likes a smelly co-worker. Problem solved: Invest in some 5 or 8 pound hand weights you can leave at your desk. Whenever you have a free moment, go ahead and so some bicep curls and arm raises in the comfort of your own cubicle. Start with reps of 10 and rest when your muscles feel fatigued. Do this for just a week, and you’ll definitely start to feel a difference.
Are you in a highly trafficked area? Invest in some leg weights- you can Velcro them around your ankles and do leg raises under your desk. Just by typing at the computer and working different leg muscles all day, you can get firmer quads and sculpted calves at work! It won’t break the bank either; you can buy hand and leg weights for less than ten dollars at Target or Wal-Mart, visit here.
Walk it out
Here’s some advice the fashion forward may not appreciate: don’t wear high heels. Wearing more comfortable footwear will help you lose weight at work. There are plenty of shoes that are more comfortable to walk in and just as office appropriate; try ballet flats or kitten heels instead. Why should you give up those heels when your calves look so good in them? It’s simple: the easier it is to walk around all day, the more you will. It’s difficult to take the stairs in heels, but in flats you’re less likely to take the elevator. And since climbing stairs burns 10 calories per minute, why would you choose the elevator?
Also, during breaks you may read the newspaper or call a friend. Try walking around the parking lot during your phone call or pace around the cafeteria. It may not seem like much, but even this small change will help you lose weight at work. Walking around for half an hour can burn up to 80 calories!
Drink more water
We can all learn something from Adam Sandler’s character in Waterboy. Water is your secret weapon to beating mindless munching throughout the day. Bored of chugging water all day? Let’s face it, water fountains don’t always taste as refreshing as they should. Try crystal light packets that only set you back 5 calories per serving. If you use plastic water bottles, you can reuse them throughout the day and recycle them when you get home. Water will also help you feel fuller, clear your complexion, flush out toxins, and prevent headaches (80% of afternoon headaches are a result of dehydration). Next time you want to reach for those candies on your desk, grab a sip of water instead. And with your daily walks, bicep curls, and leg lifts, you’ll definitely need to hydrate!