Working from home seems to be very common nowadays in a post-Covid world but it may keep you more sedentary. And in order to stay healthy, you need to incorporate a great exercise regime. Read on to get some new ideas to keep fit when working remotely.
Remote work has plenty of benefits but it has downfalls too. For instance, removing the commute can also remove steps from your daily routine. Less time moving means that you may end up spending more time sitting down throughout the day, which is extremely damaging.
Use Fitness Apps
One idea to keep fit when working remotely is to use fitness apps. There are plenty of different apps to choose from. Apps are super easy to fit into your schedule, and you don’t need lots of time to spare. To get you started, check out these fitness apps:
This free app offers hundreds of different workouts, all demonstrated by a personal trainer. There are plenty of great features to take advantage of including a timer, on-screen instructions, and videos.
If you’re keen to practice yoga at home, Glo is the perfect app. Here you’ll find plenty of different yoga styles, personalized workouts, and self-guided programs. There are so many benefits to a yoga class, from improved flexibility to de-stressing.
When you don’t have much time to spare, the 7-minute workout app is the perfect tool. The workout focuses on a high-intensity workout, to get those endorphins pumping.
Under Desk Bike
A great thing about working remotely is that you can exercise while you work. If you are looking for a way to keep fit while you’re working, you should invest in a mini elliptical under your desk. Essentially, these are under desk bikes that you can use easily while you’re working.
Here are some benefits associated with using a mini elliptical:
- Offers an excellent low-impact workout
- Can help you to burn calories and lose weight
- Raises your endorphin levels throughout the day, keeping you feeling amazing
- Exercise is helpful to boost productivity
- You can increase your heart rate throughout the day
Standing Desk
Another idea to keep fit when you’re working remotely is to invest in a standing desk. As the name suggests, these desks allow you to work comfortably from a standing position. Standing while you work can help to improve your posture, and reduce back problems that take place from sitting down all day.
There are lots of other advantages of having a standing desk which includes:
- Reduces your risk of gaining weight
- Can help to reduce blood sugar levels
- Useful to boost your energy levels and mood
Exercise Schedule
If you’re keen to stick to an exercise regimen, it’s a good idea to create a schedule. Scheduling your workouts can help you plan your exercise routine ahead of time. When you plan your exercises, you’re far more likely to stick to the routine. Drawing up a schedule is a fantastic way to motivate yourself.
If you need other motivational ideas, check out a few of these:
- Ask a friend to exercise with you – exercising with someone helps keep you accountable and serve as motivation
- Check out fitness resources – view, read, or listen to content that’s fitness related to help keep you on track
- List the benefits of working out and the negative consequences of being sedentary – this it’s helpful to establish your why
Get Out The House
Getting out of your house is another idea to keep fit while working remotely. Working from home can get you into unhealthy habits if you’re not careful. Exercise is a great excuse to leave the comfort of your desk or couch.
This is an excellent way to get some fresh air and get sunshine, which is essential to keep you healthy. You can go for a run in the local park or hit the gym during your lunch break. A change of scenery is also one of the best ways to boost your productivity levels.
Set Goals
Another extremely important idea to keep fit when working remotely is to set a few goals. Setting goals is a fantastic way to quantify what you are looking for, stay on the right track, and keep an eye on your targets. However, you have to set goals in an appropriate manner in order to be able to achieve them. When you set goals that are too hard, it may backfire on you and make it more difficult to motivate yourself.
When you set goals, set them up in the SMART way (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Specific). The following are some examples of SMART goals:
- I will exercise every day on my lunch break for the next 6 months.
- I will join a new exercise class this upcoming week.
- I will practice a short yoga video once a week for the next 3 months
It is important to realize that various stumbling blocks can prevent you from achieving your health goals. Knowing these stumbling blocks will help you identify them early and persevere through them to ensure that you reach your fitness goals on time. For example, if you’re starting, your muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons will undergo a strenuous period that may cause discomfort. Therefore, you must continue to push forward until your body gets more familiar with the intensity level you’re working out on. Take the needed remedies, like using stability assisting tools like ankle braces. Furthermore, you must remember to warm up and stretch before working out. With your eyes on the prize, you’ll easily overcome any stumbling block that prevents you from achieving your goals.
Eat Healthy
As you may know, it’s not just about working out, you need to make sure that you have a healthy balanced diet to stay fit when working remotely. Focus on having lots of organic fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins with your meals. You should also incorporate foods that boost the immune system. When you improve your diet, you’ll have more energy for fitness and you’ll achieve better results.
When you’re looking to make healthy changes to your diet, the following tips may come in handy:
- Check out healthy food apps to get ideas.
- Consider growing vegetables in your garden.
- Try a healthy cooking class.
- Go foraging and cook with wild foods.
There are so many different ways that you can put your health first and stay active while you are working from home. Under desk bikes, exercise apps, ankle braces, standing desks are some of the great options to try. Focusing on these ideas to keep fit when working remotely can make a big difference in your health and fitness level.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
