Exercise - Fat Burning Moves You Can Do at Your Desk

Exercise is essential if you want to burn fat, but, although we see to be getting busier and busier, most of us now live very sedentary lives, which means sitting at a desk all day. After a hard day's work you are probably too tired to take exercise and so you spend all evening in front of the TV or in the pub. But humans aren't designed to just sit around, and if we do, we are at much greater risk of obesity and other health problems. The good news is, being chained to your desk from 9-5 doesn't mean you can't keep fit. The following exercises - 4 fat burning moves - can be done without moving from your post.

Quick Cardio

If you want to have a healthy heart, you have to raise your heart rate often. Although it's often recommended that you keep it up for at least 20 to 30 minutes, recent research shows that even short periods of exercise are beneficial. Whenever you have 5 minutes free at work, you can use that time to get your blood pumping. Here's a great way to increase your circulation without having to leave your chair. Start by pumping your arms up and down above your head for 30 seconds. Next, tap your feet rapidly back and forth as if you're running on the spot. Now switch between these 2 movements for around 5 minutes.

Arm Stretches

If you type all day, stretching you arms and wrists can help relieve stress caused by repetitive movement. The following wrist and arm stretches are quick and easy to perform. Extend you arm in front of you with your wrist bent back so your palm is facing out. Use the other arm to pull back your hand; you should be able to feel your whole arm stretching out. After repeating this exercise with both arms, press your palms firmly together in front of you. Be sure to keep your elbows bent and lifted. Bend your wrists back and forth, pushing with your hands.

Leg lifts

Standing or sitting around all day is not good for your legs. Here is a quick move which will improve the circulation in your legs. Sit in your chair and extend one leg until it is straight. Hold, then return it to the floor. Alternating legs, keep this up for several minutes. Lift one leg a few inches off the floor while keeping your knees bent, you should hold and release, then repeat for a few minutes with both legs.

Back stretches

Working in an office is also not good news for your back. You can easily relieve back pain at work with just a little bit of concentration, by making sure your posture is good all day. So, be sure to sit straight up in your chair all day without slouching. If you do experience back pain, simply arch your back by pulling your stomach forward and bending your shoulders back. Another good back stretch which can be done in your chair- : keep your lower body facing forward whilst turning around with your upper body.

On their own, these exercises won't transform your body, but they will burn a few calories and help you feel better, which in turn will motivate you to take more vigorous exercise. Now that you're in the right frame of mind, learn how to burn the fat, by kickstarting your exercise and diet routine here.

The articles on this site are for information only and should not replace medical advice.

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