Monday, March 28, 2011

"Make a Change Mondays"

Today, we launched our first of many “Make a Change Mondays.” To go along with our new week health challenge, here are five changes for a healthier you.

1)  Eat breakfast. You grew up hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It may seem counterintuitive that eating will help you lose weight, but breakfast wakes your metabolism out of its slumber and fuels your fire for the rest of the day.
           
Director of sports nutrition at the University of Pittsburgh medical center, Leslie Bonci, R.D., M.P.H., says that, “"Not eating breakfast may reduce your metabolic rate by 10 percent." This means that you need to eat breakfast– everyday.

2)  If your office isn’t on the first floor, take the stairs. According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, a 150 lb. person burns five calories per flight of stairs. Sure it’s not a miracle fix, but climbing stairs kick starts your heart rate and breaks up the monotony of sitting at your desk all day.

3)   Switch out you chair at work for an exercise ball. Using a large balance ball will alleviate that chronic lower back pain that plagues the cubicle-bound work force.
           
The ball forces you to engage all of your core muscles to stay balanced. And they’re more fun than your standard rolling chair too.

4)  Drop that candy bar in favor of a healthier dessert or snack. We’re not the type to tell you to stay away from sweets and pick up an apple– that’s common sense– but cravings defy all common sense, so don’t even go near the candy aisle.  

Instead, try a Clif Kid Z-bar. With no hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup, this crave satisfying dessert only costs you 130 calories and delivers 8 grams of whole grains. So there’s nothing to feel guilty about. Grab the chocolate brownie bar. You’ll thank us.

5)  Go to bed when you’re tired, not when the clock says so. Your body has its own internal clock. Listen to it. It will thank you the next day.

We’d love to hear your health tips and tricks. Don’t hesitate to share, you may even win a prize.
                       

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