Five Hacks To Prevent The Dreaded Office Bod

Are you at risk of the dreaded office bod? Modern workspaces may not seem to pose much of a risk to health, but in fact these environments can be storing up trouble for our weight and overall wellbeing. Sitting down too much is not just bad for your figure, it can also raise your risk of a range of serious medical complaints. Research has linked a sedentary lifestyle to an increased danger of diabetes, cardiovascular problems and premature death. Don’t go handing your notice in just yet though. There are ways to stop your desk job taking its toll on your body, and here are five of the best.   1) Schedule time away from your workstation   Even if you’re under pressure to meet deadlines, it’s important to make time to get away from your workstation. Something as simple as standing up to get a drink or to visit the printer can help to get your muscles working. Ideally, you should do this at least a couple of times an hour. Be creative when you’re planning breaks from your desk too. Perhaps you could take a work call while on a short walk or you could spend a little time working in a breakout area to get a change of scenery and stretch your legs.   2) Encourage your co-workers to get active   Another top tip is to encourage your co-workers to get active. From arranging lunchtime walks with colleagues to setting up staff sports teams, there are a range of activities you can do with your fellow employees. By getting together to exercise, you can increase your motivation and make staying fit more fun.   3) Consider cycling to work   If you drive to work or take a bus, why not ditch four wheels in favour of two and start cycling to the office instead? This is a great way to build exercise into your daily routine, and as an added bonus, it could save you cash. Cycling is a low-impact exercise, so it’s kind on your joints, and it’s an effective way to burn energy too. Did you know that someone who weighs 80kg burns more than 650 calories in an hour’s cycle ride?   4) Say no to fattening snacks   It might not be easy, but if you want to stay in shape you’ll need to say no to those inviting vending machine snacks and tasty but naughty takeaway lunches. Getting through your day at work might feel like running a fast food gauntlet, but you can reduce temptation by eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast and bringing packed lunches from home. This way, you won’t need to rely on convenience foods that are full of sugar or fat.   5) Try a fitness tracker   Another fitness tip is to invest in a tracker that measures the number of steps you take. The average person takes between 3,000 and 4,000 paces each day, but if you’re looking to boost your fitness, you should aim for significantly more than this. You can increase your number of steps in simple ways. For example, try walking up the office stairs rather than using the lift, and take more roundabout routes to get to places.   By following health hacks like these, you should find it easier to stay in shape and keep the office bod at bay.