OK, so we all remember the Freshman Fifteen. Not being in high school, for many, living on their own for the first time, with a plethora of fast food to feast on within walking distance. When we didn’t have the money to “go out” and eat at one of these fine dining establishments, and bask in all of the glory that is grease; we raided our parents’ pantries, or settled on the fifth packet of Ramen for the week.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Entry-Level positions are kind of the same way, and especially if you have a desk job. I put on eight pounds since starting my glamorous career as an Assistant (hence, entry-level eight). It’s extremely easy to do, and unfortunately, very hard to avoid due to the immobility of these roles.

Let's start with the fact that many millennials are starting off in their careers by making the dreadful commute from suburb to city (mine is about 1.5 hours when all is going smoothly). That right there is nearly 3 hours of sitting motionless on a train. Not to mention the 10 minutes in the car to get to the train, and the fact that I rolled out of bed, and got into that car with as little activity as humanly possible. Then I get on the subway, walk a few blocks to my desk, and sit for hours on end. Then I do it in reverse order (subway, train, car, and couch). Who knew sitting could be so draining?

I used to tell myself that I’ll get up earlier, go for a run, or do some yoga. Even though I’m a morning person, I am definitely not a morning work-out person. So I’d reason with myself, and say that if I allowed myself to sleep the additional 30 minutes, I’d leave my running shoes by the door and go exercise as soon as I got home. Fine, good, go back to sleep.

Well after a long tiring day of sitting on my behind, I am exhausted by the time I’m home, and more importantly, I’m hungry. So I eat, and crash on the couch, and you couldn’t pay me enough to get up. I started noticing changes in my body that I wasn’t thrilled with, and so I decided something needed to be done, especially if I was going to be in an office environment long term.

I started researching some self-help guides for people in similar positions. A majority of the articles that I came across encouraged me to get a standing computer, or swap out my seat with an exercise ball, neither of which would mesh well in my environment. Other articles prompted me to do chair dips, and desk pushups, all which would be nothing short of humiliating to break into in the middle of the office… not to mention highly impractical.

I couldn’t let these things stop me though, I was motivated to make a change, I knew there had to be a way, and so I got creative.

Here are some more pragmatic tips for staying active throughout the day to help you work it off, (or if it’s not already too late for you, help you not to put it on).

1. Gaiam Balance Disk - $21.98

https://www.gaiam.com/product/balance-disc-for-pos...

So I loved the idea of an exercise ball as a chair, actually, but didn’t want to be the only one with it at my desk; so I found another version of it! This balance disk helps me to strengthen my core when sitting up straight. Plus, if I start getting antsy I can wiggle around a little bit.

2. Pack sneakers

Instead of leaving your sneakers by the front door, start packing them, or buy a cheap pair to hide at your desk. On my break, I’ll take walks around Central Park, or just around my building in general. Before my break is up I’ll grab a quick bite to eat and bring it back to my desk so that I can spend almost the entire hour stretching out and moving.

3. Join a gym

This is where I really lucked out, my building had a gym downstairs! It’s pricey, but I finally decided that if it would get me to work out again, it was worth it. Even if there isn’t a gym in your building, join a local one (the closer the better so that you don’t spend too much time traveling), and get a quick workout in before/after work, to avoid the loss in momentum caused by a lengthy commute.

4. Don’t “roll” to it

Don’t leave everything within the vicinity of your desk. It’s so much more convenient, but if everything is in the same location, you’re hardly moving to get it. Keep things more than an arms-length away so that you have to get up and walk to it.

5. Stand as often as possible

A lot of administrative positions require printing, and binding, and filing. Try to stand while doing all of those things, rather than staying in your chair. (Hint: When no one’s looking, I even do some calf-raises, and go up on my toes, and back down repeatedly… which is much more discrete than something crazy like Chair Lunges).

In the end, will this list help you to shed major pounds and get ripped? No way. You’ll still need to exercise and eat right...(sorry), but it definitely beats sitting on your butt all day.