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IFNOFODZFOONRETHOUGHT How to:
stay healthy and fit while working a 9-5
Let's face it, nobody has ever gone to work, the gym and made dinner in one day, or at least that's what most 9-5 workers will tell you. You can't really be blamed though if you share a similar notion. Dragging yourself out of bed and having to face traffic is hard enough. Deep down you know you want that summer body but work will not allow you to be great. You're ready to say “You know what man, I'm done with this fitness life”. Not so fast! You can still get that body you want while working a 9-5. Wondering how?
Just follow these tips...
Develop good eating habits:
Before now, you've probably been
'chopping' life with reckless abandon
and iced out the slightest guilty feeling
by telling yourself you only live once.
Not anymore. You can either get that
body you want right now by being
intentional about what you eat or live the rest of your life daydreaming about it. And that means more protein and vegetables and fewer carbohydrates. Getting rid of those chocolate chips and soda you just stocked in your fridge, and mustering up the courage to politely decline when that office buddy of yours offers you a huge slice of pizza. One last thing, if you have to staple your lips together so you don't eat after 7 pm, do it!
Increase your physical activity:
This is a polite way of telling you to get off your bottom and move! Take a coffee break, walk around the office and reacquaint yourself with your colleagues. If your office is a trek able distance from home, take a walk and when you can, opt to take stairs instead of the elevator. This might seem like stress, but it will do your body a whole lot of good and the chances of you developing diseases like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, and stroke will drastically be reduced because you're active.
Get enough sleep:
You've noticed that one
colleague of yours that always
comes to the office bright-eyed,
full of energy and cheer. More
often than not, you've wondered
if he or she is operating under a
different work universe or your worst nightmare- collecting double your salary. That could be you but you don't sleep till 1am every day and so you go to the office each day with
tired, red eyes and enough crankiness to
share. Now, medical personnel have recommended about 7-9 hours of sleep for proper body function. So, if you want to improve your well being, start by sleeping better.
Have a healthy squad:
You see those colleagues who offer you French fries dripping in fat, avoid them like the plague. They are nothing but one of the factors militating against your healthy lifestyle. Earlier, we told you to reacquaint yourself with your colleagues. In the process of doing so, seek out those who'll be willing to enjoin you in healthier lifestyle changes. That way, you'll have people to be accountable to and stay motivated to
reach your fitness goals.
Drink water regularly:
You can start by downloading a drink water reminder app — yeah, there's something like that. You've got to start from somewhere. Also, make sure you've got a drinking bottle filled with water at your desk at all times to help you reach the recommended daily water intake of about 3 litres. This simple act can help you stay fit by getting your food to digest well, keeping you from overeating, and helping your organs work properly.
While the above-listed tips can help you kick start your journey to fitness, you need to condition your mind first and the body will follow. Then, depending on how dogged your resolve is to 'get that body,' you can seek the assistance of a fitness expert. Remember consistency is the key to achieving your fitness goals.
Contributed by Nifemi Fowler
PAGE 18 INSIDE ACCESS | JULY 2020 3RD EDITION