I’ve noticed women tend to be ‘busy’ in one of two different ways. In one scenario, they are ‘commuting’, sitting in a car or on a train, rushing to a job where they sit behind a desk for eight (or more) hours a day. In the other scenario, they’re running around like a maniacs, doing a wide variety of things that are more physically demanding. Some lucky souls, like the women who have two ‘jobs’ – the office and the family – enjoy both lifestyles simultaneously!
COMMUTING TO THE DESK
Sitting is NOT a great way of staying in shape and many of us quickly begin to develop what is affectionately known as “secretary’s spread”. Just sitting for so many hours a day can slow your metabolism. Commuting increases the sitting time, and it’s draining, whether you are driving or riding.
In addition, working in an office increases the opportunity to eat a bit too much of the wrong things. Rushing to work, they skip breakfast. There are those really hectic days when they grab something ‘quick’ from the vending machine and wolf our lunch down while they are working. Or they are to busy or tired at night, so they stop at the fast food place on the way home.
To stay in shape when you are busy office worker:
- Always take the steps rather than the elevator.
- Join a lunch time or after work gym/exercise class with coworkers, or just take a walk around the block at lunch. .
- If possible, ‘walk’ part of your commute. If you take a bus, get off at an earlier stop and walk. If you take the train, walk to the station, don’t drive. If you drive to work, park as far from the door as SAFELY possible.
- Have at least a protein drink or smoothie for breakfast. Bring a packed lunch, so you don’t have to rely on the vending machine in a pinch. .
- To offset the candy, cookies or donuts that mysteriously appear in many offices, bring in something healthier – fruit or homemade granola bars.
- Rather than making a phone call or sending an email to someone down the hall, take a walk.
- Learn some office-chair exercises and stretches to fight fatigue as well as poor posture and the stiffness they all suffer from sitting too long.
FOR ALL BUSY WOMEN
- Once a month, everything will probably go horribly wrong – you know what I mean! If this is how it works for you, just plan on a day or two to kick back and relax.
- Make sure you are getting the right vitamins and minerals – especially iron. If your busy schedule makes it difficult to eat right, take a good multivitamin with iron.
- When the stress of a busy schedule gets to be too much, get a massage.
- If your hectic schedule includes chauffeuring children and waiting for games/after school events to end, take the time to walk, even if it’s just around the car a few times.
- Make sure you get your rest, even if it’s just a nap while waiting for the kids or the man to come home.
- Most women have very valid “excuses” why being busy prevents them from staying in shape – more so than men. Remember to put yourself first once in a while.
Look for the ‘spare’ moments in your day and make them productive, eat right, make use of the opportunities you already have in your schedule to stay in shape. Easier said than done, I know, but taking better care of yourself is well worth the effort.