As a working mom, my daily routine rarely changes. I sit in the car on my commute, I sit at my desk, I sit at the lunch table, I sit in the bleachers while my daughter practices gymnastics, I sit at the dinner table…are you seeing the theme here? I sit. All. Day. Long. And I’m tired of it.
Not only does my constant sitting lead to a sore rear, recent studies show that prolonged sitting
can lead to far more serious health risks. Sure, I wake up at 5 a.m. most days for a fitness date with my elliptical machine, but lately I’ve been making an effort to ensure my days are a little more active – for both my sanity and my health.
Here are a few simple techniques that have worked for me ::
- Stretch it out. Stretches are fairly easy to sneak into your routine. Whether you just get up from your desk and pop out a couple lunges or you manage to sneak in some legit yoga moves, it really helps! If you need some good yoga poses, check out HMB’s own Erica {@ericaciszek} – she’s always sharing hers on Instagram!
- Challenge yourself. Set a step count and work to meet that goal every day. Or join a plank or squat challenge. All you have to do is find a little space, and you can knock those out in two minutes flat. Even a short amount of time like that can make a huge difference in how you feel.
- Make the most of lunch. There’s a cute park nearby my office with a walking trail. I try to make it there a couple times a week to get moving on my lunch break. If you have an office gym, this is a great time to get in some steps on your treadmill.
Some work places are very supportive of their employees’ needs to get active and implement health incentives. If yours isn’t, now is a great time to propose a health incentive program to your HR department. It could lower their health insurance costs and raise your morale – it’s a win-win.
