December 2009

If you work in an office, you probably spend the bulk of your time sitting behind a desk.  It’s really easy to work in a little more movement if you’re creative.  Here are 5 ways to burn calories at your desk.

1. Do Calf Exercises: While sitting at your desk, push into the floor with your toes and push your heels as high off the floor as possible, then lower your heels to the floor again.  Do these throughout the day to burn calories and tone your calves.  To add resistance, cross your legs and do one foot at a time, alternating crossed legs to work both calves.
2. Flex your forearm muscles: While you’re on the phone, clench and unclench a stress ball to build up your forearm muscles.  Switch hands to ensure both forearms get the same great toning.
3. Stand Up: Standing burns more calories than sitting, so stand up when a coworker stops by to talk, or while you’re chatting on the phone (maybe even while you’re clenching that stress ball).  While you’re standing, stretch a bit too.
4. Drink ice water: According to an article by Charles Stuart Platkin “Your body temperature is incredibly hot at approximately 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and ice water is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to maintain homeostasis (a constant internal temperature), your body has to bring that ice water up by about 60 degrees, and, by definition, it takes 1 calorie to raise the temperature of 1 liter of water by approximately 2 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that to raise the temperature of 1 liter of ice water by 60 degrees Fahrenheit, your body would burn about 30 calories. Two liters, which is about eight glasses of water, would burn 60 calories.”
5. Tone your tummy: While you’re sitting at your desk, pull your abdominal muscles in.  Imagine your belly button is being pulled toward your spine. Hold it for a few seconds before releasing.  Repeat often throughout the day.

What’s your favorite workday calorie burner?

{ 0 comments }