Workplace Weight Loss Tips That Can Benefit Anyone

(NAPSI) Whether it's the tall vanilla latte you grab on your way into work, the donuts served at your morning meeting, or the pizza that your boss orders because there is no time to take a lunch, working can be a very fattening proposition. As CNN Headline News health anchor for more than three years, my work routine certainly helped me put on the pounds. I spent my days doing research at a computer, writing and broadcasting on-air in a busy studio environment.

The irony was that as a health reporter, I was covering every weight loss method in the book. I tried countless programs but just couldn't find one that fit into my busy lifestyle. Finally, after struggling with my weight for years, I have taken off 41 pounds [and gone from a size 16 to a size 8] and feel great. Here are some workplace tips that I learned along the way that can benefit anyone who wants to lose weight and feel great:

Eat a balanced breakfast. Like mom said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To make things easier, write out several easy-to-prepare meals so you don't have to think about what to eat. I like prepackaged, "grab and go" options. Using prepackaged foods, like NutriSystem, made this really easy for me to do.

Plan your lunches ahead of time. When you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Whether you plan your lunches the night before, or even over the weekend, having a plan will help you avoid diet disasters at work.

Keep healthy, single-serving snacks in your office. Don't starve yourself during the workday. Make it easy to have a healthy "pick me up."



Find ways to sneak in extra physical activity. Park farther from the building. Walk to your coworker's office rather than sending an email. Don't keep a trashcan near your desk (so you have to get up each time you need to throw something away). Take a walk around the building during your lunch hour. Use the stairs.

Stay hydrated throughout the day. Keep a large bottle of water at your desk and sip throughout the day. Maybe add a slice of lemon or lime.