The Office

Becky works at the gym, which makes it a little easier for her to be sure to get her exercise.  If you're already there, you might as well stay and put in some time on the stairstepper.  Or between personal training clients, do a little lifting.  By now, if you are a regular reader, you know that Becky would be sure to get her exercise anyway, and being already at the gym is just a bonus. 

But I work in an office.  There are many pitfalls in an office.  One is that often you sit all day.  Sometimes it seems that you can actually feel your butt getting bigger as you sit in your chair.  Another pitfall is that people bring in treats to share.  So I am truly grateful for the perspective on fitness that exists in my office.  Fitness is a priority here.  All of the bosses work out on a fairly regular basis and most of the rest of us do too.  Bring something unhealthy for lunch and you will be sure to hear about it.  And not in any subtle way, either; it's more like, "OH MY GOSH!  DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH CHOLESTEROL IS IN THAT?"  In fact, we have been known to ask prospective employees during the interview process: "How do you feel about people critiquing your lunch?"  Because it happens on a fairly regular basis. 

One of the awesome things our office does is encourage regular outdoor walks every day.  Kathy's our leader; she is most often the one who drags the less motivated people (me) along with her.  And she's five months pregnant!  We walk down to the riverfront and back, a distance of about two miles.  It clears our heads and gives us some exercise.  This time is not docked; it is just part of our day.  Our bosses realize that if we feel better and happier, we can do our work in a more productive manner.  Sometimes we come back a little sweaty (and perhaps a little stinky) and sometimes it takes us longer than it should to change back out of our tennies, but we always come back with smiles on our faces.  And sometimes, when life gets really busy, it is the only exercise I get all day.

If you are the boss in your office, or you have a boss who is open to suggestions about ways to make the staff happier and healthier, consider letting the people in your office do this - and think about joining them!

Today's treat: Go for an after dinner walk to admire the Halloween decorations in your neighborhood!