While at Work.........(pls chk out)

Is Your Job Packing on the Pounds?


By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor



You could call it a magic shrinking act. After a few months or years on the job, the pants you bought for your first day at work are suddenly so tight that you can't zip them up anymore – despite all your sucking in. And your shirts, skirts and jeans are "shrinking" too.


Long, sedentary days, fat-laden lunches and office birthday parties can have an effect on workers similar to the "Freshman 15" many students pack on during the first few months of college. In a recent CareerBuilder.com survey, a staggering 47 percent of workers admitted they have gained weight since starting their last job.


Employers have good reason to worry about workers' expanding waistlines. Obesity costs U.S. companies around $12.7 billion per year, according to the National Business Group on Health. Much of this is extra healthcare costs, but indirect costs include decreased productivity and increased absenteeism.


More than 80 percent of companies with 50 or more employees, and almost all employers with more than 750 workers, offer some sort of health improvement program, according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


John Deere employees, for example, can take advantage of on-site fitness centers or participate in company-sponsored volleyball, softball, bowling or golf games, according to the company Web site. Other companies offer Weight Watchers, health fairs and nutritional counseling.


One employer is taking even more drastic measures. Dr. James Levine, a endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, completely redesigned the workspaces in his office to encourage his workers to get up and move. Instead of ordinary cubicles, Levine's desks are vertical and can be used with a treadmill, exercise bike, standing or regular chair. Using the desk at 1 mph (not quite enough to break a sweat) burns 100 calories an hour – enough to add up to a loss of more than 50 pounds a year.


Instead of meeting around a conference table, his meetings take place while walking around a track. And if workers get tired of merely walking, they can strap on plastic carpet skates and slide from place to place.


Even if your employer doesn't offer company-sponsored fitness benefits, there are simple measures you can take to use your workday to slim down.


1. Take the stairs.
According to an AskMen.com article, skipping the elevator and climbing six fights a day for a full year could help you shed up to 18 pounds. Plus, stair climbing is a weight-bearing exercise that strengthens your bones.


2. Get off a stop early.
Make your commute a little more active by getting off the train or bus a stop earlier than usual and walking a few extra blocks. Or, if you're close enough, try skipping the bus altogether and just walking to work.


3. Don't just eat on your lunch break.
Try eating at your desk and use your lunch hour to sneak in a quick workout, or just spend your break walking. According to WebMD.com, a 154-pound man can burn around 280 calories per hour walking briskly.


4. Join the softball league.
Friendly company-sponsored sporting events are a fun way to burn calories and build bonds with your co-workers.


5. Drink more water.
Many people eat when they're bored. By keeping a bottle of water handy, you can resist the urge to hit the vending machines, and drinking water makes you feel fuller, so you're less likely to overeat.


6. Bring your own lunch.
By bringing your own lunch, you can control your calories and save money.


7. Fidget.
Every little bit of motion counts. According to a Mayo Clinic study, just tapping your toes can help you burn 72 calories per eight-hour work day.


REgards,
Roopika

__________________
Best Regards,
"R"
Life z like a path of snow, treat carefully as every step will show !!!