While You Work

When you’re at work, it’s likely that “exercise” is the last thing on your mind. But these few simple tricks can inject some active moments into your sedentary workday without disrupting your work routine.

1. Keep a small cup for water instead of a big one. You’ll stand up more often for refills, plus trips to the bathroom.
2. Get a live office plant instead of a fake one. Getting up to water it every so often will get the blood flowing after sitting down all day.
3. Make friends with someone on another floor and visit them on your break instead of going to a nearby break-room.
4. When you’re brainstorming, do it while walking instead of sitting down at your desk or conference table.
5. Having a conference call? Put the meeting on speakerphone and pace around the office instead of sitting down.

When You Run Errands

While the task of running errands itself can be enough to get your blood pumping, here are a few simple ideas to make the most of it!

1. If you’re just picking up a few items at the grocery store, carry a basket instead of setting them in a push-cart.
2. Get off the bus or subway a few stops ahead of your own and walk the rest of the way instead of riding the entire time. (Or park your car a few blocks away from your destination, instead of right out front.)
3. Have a few stops in one shopping center? Walk from store-to-store instead of driving.
4. Loading shopping bags? Do a few bicep curls each time you pick up a bag instead of shoving them all in at once.
5. Make a lap around the store before you start shopping instead of making a beeline straight for what’s on the list.