4 Ways to Stay Fit Without Leaving the Office    

(Image: iStock.com/michaeljung)

As an entrepreneur or CEO, you may spend hours in an office or in a stationary position—in front of a computer, driving, or travelling on airplanes. You may also be challenged daily with making the most of your time, from meeting deadlines, working on projects, collaborating with partners, or leading initiatives. Here are a few ways to not only maximize your time but remain healthy even while working in the office:

Exercise at your desk: The Mayo Clinic suggests practicing stretching exercises at your desk, like the one below, and taking equipment such as a fitness ball or tension bands so you can use your office (or cubicle) as your own impromptu gym. Fitness experts also recommend taking power walks around the office or floor where you work or using places like staircases to create your own workouts (whether it’s structured repetition or just skipping using the elevators between floors for meetings or exiting the building).

Don’t skip breakfast: It’s known that some of the most successful people in the world make breakfast a daily routine, and though it’s not a health hazard to skip breakfast, Consumer Reports indicates that it could help with heart health and it can even give you a mental edge to take on the challenges of the day. The USDA recommends a variety of options to keep your breakfast healthy, from eating fruits and veggies with your oatmeal or omelets, and choosing low-fat cheese options. Also, for heart-healthy morning meals, the American Heart Association recommends making your own smoothies before work or taking instant oatmeal with you to the office.

Take mental health breaks. Research has shown that taking breaks can help increase productivity, and Scientific American reports that mental downtime “replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life.”

Use technology to hold you accountable. There’s so much out there in terms of apps and wearable gadgets that help you track calories, plan your meals, or modify your activities for prime fitness. Try a heart-rate monitor or wristbands that track your steps such as the Fitbit Blaze, Moov Now, or the Smart Sensor and use them in creative ways to keep up with physical activity and managing stress around the office.