Five Easy Ways to Stay Healthy at Work

Getting into shape and eating healthy is hard enough, but what do you do when it comes to your workplace? Sure there isn’t a salad bar or an exercise room to indulge your fitness envy. However, even though it may seem like a challenge, there are easier ways to stay fit at work than you think.

1. Ask Yourself What Being “Healthy” Means to You

One of the biggest mistakes you can make with your own personal fitness is using someone else’s goals to shape your lifestyle. Unfortunately, someone’s else’s diets and exercise routines won’t fit your intended goals or fitness desires.

The best way to stay in shape if to ask yourself what being healthy means to you and how you plan to stick with it. This is a lifestyle, after all. Remember to write down this plan and change it as you go to reach your fitness goals, whether you’re at home or on the go.

2. Stop Buying Processed Foods

The foods we eat every day are processed in some way or another. However, many popular foods that you consume are actually processed chemically, meaning that the ingredients aren't actually real. Besides being overall unhealthy, these chemically processed foods are far too high in sugar and low in nutrients to do any good for your fitness goals. They are best to avoid, no matter the occasion.

The general rule of thumb you should remember is: avoid any and all prepackaged and/or nonperishable foods at your grocery store. This includes food products like chips, microwaveable meals, granola bars, and more. Instead, you should opt in for fresh produce, yogurt, and bread that your body can digest much easier.

3. Eat Smaller Meals

You’re probably used to consuming three meals a day, typically breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, you may also indulge in snacking in between meals from a local vending machine. You should try to work on eating smaller, but more frequent meals, to minimize junk snacking between breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner. This way, you don’t overeat and consume healthier, fuller meals that will help you finish your work day strong.

4. Prepare Snacks Ahead of Time

When it comes to snacks, it is a whole lot easier to reach into a bag of potato chips than it is to prepare apples and peanut butter. This is one of the main reasons why you should prep healthy snacks at the beginning of the week. Spend some time cutting up fruit and vegetables, making your own kale chips, and portioning popcorn into ziplock bags. By preparing in advance, you can make smarter snacking choices at work and at home.

5. Incorporate Exercise Into Your Daily Activities

Exercise doesn’t have to mean heading to the gym or going for a run. By making small changes to your daily routine, you can become fit in no time at all. There are always ways you can become more active. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Stretch during the commercial breaks of your favorite tv show. Walk instead of drive. Purchase a standing desk. There are so many small ways that you can be more active, so look at your routine and see where you can make a few changes.

Becoming a healthier you is a gradual process, not a sudden shift. You must determine where you are starting, where you want to go, and how you will get to that goal by making small changes to your regular lifestyle. Take baby steps and soon enough, you will be living your healthiest and happiest life.