9 TO 5 FITNESS

CORPORATE JOBS DEMAND SO MUCH OF OUR DAYS THAT WE NEGLECT PHYSICAL FITNESS. MINHAZ REMO OFFERS PROFESSIONAL ADVICE ON HOW TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE.

 

 

 

Did you know that the average person spends around 90,000 hours of their life at work? That’s an awfully long time sitting at a desk, toiling away for the next big thing. While sitting might not seem like an arduous task, this low mobility action comes at a great cost – the slow deterioration of our body. Whether we like it or not, the human body is geared to be physically active and works best when it’s trained to be functional.

The body is much like a machine in that if a machine is left sitting idle for a long time, it will lose its effectiveness and efficiency. In sports science, this is called the law of disuse. It means that any part of your body not utilised to its potential and function will slowly wither away – use it, or lose it.

 

A FITNESS AND LIFE COACH PROVIDES YOU WITH NOT ONLY A WORKOUT PLAN AND NUTRITION GUIDELINES BUT WILL GIVE YOU LIFESTYLE COUNSELLING THAT WILL HELP YOU MANAGE THAT SOUGHT-AFTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE.

 

Sadly, our workplaces are notorious for enforcing that principle, maybe not willingly, but as an indirect consequence of our work culture. We have designated small cubicles with even smaller leg rooms where we are sitting all day, slowly gaining weight, oftentimes overworking, but losing our youth. Sure, we may earn a nice handful on payday, but will that be worth it if we have to spend it all on medical procedures and surgeries down the line? Companies realise this and even acknowledge it. That is why you have that big gymnasium at the company HQ. But sadly, they are seldom occupied as most people don’t use them.

Because the 9-5 corporate can’t afford to take their foot off the gas, the focus should be on preventive care – actions now that will pay off in the future and help you live a long and happy life.

We should first start by understanding what the physical requirements for a corporate job are. You are most likely going to be sitting for long hours, putting some strain on your back, neck as well as eyes. Next, let’s address the biggest challenges in your way to a healthy lifestyle. Most commonly, it’s a lack of time and a lack of guidance. Your work never stops and the money keeps coming, and oftentimes your work follows you home now that you’re always glued to your smartphone. Finally, let’s figure out how you can manage these challenges so that you can be physically fit for your corporate job.

First and foremost, set up clear boundaries. Understand your workload and communicate with your bosses that you will be delivering completed tasks earlier so that you make leave work earlier. This is where a task journal is resourceful. Not only does it help you log your work and improve your workflow, but it also gives you concrete evidence of where you tend to waste the most amount of time. Simply use a notebook to log your activity every hour for 3 days. Being consistent in this practice will slowly start freeing up more time from your day.

The next step is to start working out enough to stay healthy. For beginners, 20 to 30 minutes per day, twice or thrice a week is a good starting point. Shocking, isn’t it? That less? But, it’s manageable, it’s fun, and you’ll start seeing noticeable differences in a very short time. You are a corporate employee, not a national-level athlete. So, take that pressure off your shoulder as you definitely won’t have to train like one.

Now the elephant in the room. You already knew most of what we’ve been talking about, but you still don’t work out. Why? It’s not because you don’t want to – it’s because you don’t know how to. You may already have done most of the above, but you gave up – or rather, you had to give up. You may have doubted yourself, whether what you’re doing is right or wrong, whether it’s the most effective approach, or whether your form and posture are correct. This is why working with a qualified fitness and life coach is so important.

A fitness and life coach provides you with not only a workout plan and nutrition guidelines but will give you lifestyle counselling that will help you manage that sought-after work-life balance. Only providing a plan isn’t enough; you can already find so many free workout and nutrition charts online. What you need is someone to guide you on how to follow it. Remember, not everyone with a blueprint can build a house – sometimes, you need an architect. Seeking professional help can add months, if not years to your lifespan.