workplace Archives - The 3-Day Blog

During the work week, it can be hard to get your steps in. Time in the office often means sitting at a desk for hours at a time, and after a long day, it can be hard to get to the gym in the evening. That means that you need to make the most of every step you can during the day! As you ramp up your training for the 3-Day, there are some quick and easy ways to get walkin’ at work.

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Walk to work: Not everyone can walk to work, but if it’s an option, even walking one way can help you get quite a bit of steps in. Walking to work in the morning will help get your adrenaline and metabolism going at the start of your day. Find a friend who is also walking in the 3-Day, or someone you work with who is also trying to get extra steps. Having a friend walk with you will help you stay accountable, even in the early mornings.

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Park further: This one is very easy, so you have no excuse! Pick the spot at the back of the lot, and take advantage of the extra steps and extra time outside. Listen to a peppy tune, or mentally run through your to-do list before you get to the office so you’ll be ready to tackle your day.

Walk before you call: Instead of calling, IM-ing or emailing a coworker with a question or need, just walk over to their desk! If you work with a team that interacts frequently, these steps can add up. In-person conversations keep your mind alert, and let you get some much needed face time with those you work with. Not to mention the extra steps!

Leave the building: If you have the ability, move your meetings to an offsite location. Get yourself out of the office and walk to a nearby café for a brainstorming session or a quick caffeine boost. It doesn’t take much to make a difference. According to the World Health Organization, getting even 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face two to three times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D-boosting benefits of sun and fresh air. Get to stepping!

Take extra steps on your break: If you work in a large office building, take a five minute break every hour or so and walk the nearest set of stairs. Normally you would probably spend about that much time checking in on social media or giving yourself some other mental break anyway. Since those quick breaks actually lead to more productivity, make that time work for your body as well as your brain.

Get out of the house: Lots of companies are offering more and more flexibility to work from home at least one day a week. While this is a wonderful luxury (and an excuse to work in your PJs), it can also lead you to taking even less steps than normal. Without a commute, or walking throughout an office, you’ll need to make getting your steps in a priority during work-from-home days. So, try working from a coffee shop or even your local library for at least half the day. You’ll be able to interact with people, and walking to and from will help get at least a few steps in. Remember, every step is a step in the right direction.

If you’re able to put one of these tips into action, you’re on your way to training for the 3-Day! How do you keep moving throughout your work day?

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REMINDER: The health, safety and training information contained in this blog post, or otherwise provided to you in connection with your participation in the 3-Day, is not intended to replace or be construed as medical advice and any such information is not a substitute for seeking medical advice or treatment from your medical provider. Before starting any exercise program or following any recommendations, advice or other instructions regarding training for the 3-Day or any athletic event, you should first consult a physician and have a physical examination.

Preparing your body to walk 60 miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® takes a lot of time and effort. If you have a full-time job, it may be a little more difficult to find time to devote exclusively to your Komen 3-Day training. There are certainly plenty of jobs out there that require folks to be on their feet anyway (we salute YOU, mail carriers, teachers, servers, retail salespeople, medical professionals and many more), but if your job is one that has you stationed at a desk, don’t worry: with some creative thinking, you can easily work some walking into your work day. Here are some ways to supplement your steps while putting in your 9 to 5.

Park Productively – Sometimes getting that extra bit of walking in is as simple as parking your car a little farther from the door. Don’t drive to work? Think about getting off the train or bus one stop earlier than normal and walking the rest of the way.

Go Out of Your Way for Face Time – No, not the FaceTime app. Just the opposite, in fact. If you need to chat with a co-worker in another office or cubicle, get up and go directly to them instead of calling or emailing.

Take the Stairs – Not much more to say about that one!

Start a Workplace Walking Group – Recruit some of your co-workers to join you for walking breaks. They don’t have to be long; even just a 10-15 minute mid-morning or post-lunch stroll will help get you moving. Having other people who count on you to join them will keep you motivated to keep moving.

Put it in the Books – Most working professionals keep a detailed calendar or datebook with all of their appointments, meetings and conference calls. Use that time-management tool to schedule some walking time too. If it’s slated on the calendar, you’ll be less likely to get caught in the “just couldn’t make time for it today” rut.

Walk and Talk – If you can make conference calls or join virtual meetings from your mobile phone, think about taking a walk while you’re on the call. This practice can have the dual benefits of getting some walking into your day, and also help you stay focused on the conversation when you’re not distracted by everything at your desk.

Work-from-home? – Good news! The options may be even more plentiful for you in the work-at-home community. In most cases, you can easily take a stroll around your neighborhood during break times (once you’ve put it in your calendar, or course). If you’re like me and want to stay in your pajamas as you work from home, think about making it a priority to get yourself dressed every morning; you’ll be more inclined to actually step out of the house if you’re wearing actual clothes.