Is Your Commute Making You Fat?

Is Your Commute Making You Fat?

by Clarke & Company Benefits Posted on: June 18, 2012Categories: LiveWell 24/7   

Do you commute to work each day? Your commute to and from work may be making you fat, or worse.

The more time spent in your car each day diminishes the amount of time you have for healthy activities, such as exercise. Car commuters also tend to eat while driving and their choices are likely to be less healthy than someone who takes time to have a healthy breakfast at home or, on the back end, prepares a healthy dinner. So what can you do to counter some of the disadvantageous effects of a long commute?

Here are some tips!

*Prepare a healthy breakfast the night before.  Even if you can’t eat it before hopping into your car, you’ll have a healthy option riding shotgun. That’s better than stopping for a donut or bagel with cream cheese every morning.

*Get up earlier and workout. I know, I know. But get in a quick morning workout and you’ll be energized by the time you jump into your car!

*Park farther from your place of work. Especially during nice weather, take advantage of the nice weather to walk from the farthest part of the parking lot, or a few more blocks away.

*Take the stairs. If you work on an upper floor, use the stairs. Even if you work on, say, the 25th floor and don’t want to (or can’t) walk that many flight, start by getting off on, say, the 20th floor and walk the next five. Then each week add another floor to the challenge.

*Join a gym near your work. At least three days each week, use your lunch hour to break a sweat. Then grab a healthy lunch and eat at your desk. You’ll find you have less of an appetite and feel more refreshed the rest of the afternoon.

*Listen to great music. There’s not much you can do about the wacko drivers you encounter during your commute but you can manage the stress of driving by listening to your favorite music.

*Reduce Road Rage! No matter what someone else does on the road, don’t let them drag you into their madness. If someone cuts you off, let them pass. If someone won’t let you change lanes, so what. If someone crowds your tail, let them pass, too. Commuting is stressful, and stress kills. So try your best to not get worked up over other drivers and their decisions.