Hi
I was wondering today if I could burn extra calories by just bopping around at my desk to the music. Turns out you can! I found this info:
Since I'm too new to post links, here is a copy/paste:
"Break out your headphones or crank up the radio, and get grooving:
Listening to fun music encourages you to keep a lively beat while sitting down," says Lavina Rodriguez, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of "Mind Over Fat Matters: Conquering Psychological Barriers to Weight Management."
"Music has a universal positive psychological effect, and can serve to reduce stress, which is also known to help with weight control. It makes us feel happier, which makes us want to move more in general and reduces cravings," she says. Beyond a simple head bob and shoulder shrug, music also motivates you to move around faster and for long periods of time, adds Len Glassman, owner of Personal Best Training and Pilates Center. Depending on your current weight, you can burn up to 132 calories during your next little desk-dance party. Just switch to soothing music when you eat, he says, to help you relax and chow slower, improving metabolism and digestion."
Also mentioned in this article was the idea of using a stability ball instead of your chair for about an hour per day - I guess it requires you to engage your core muscles, which burns calories and tones your abs and back.
They mentioned laughing a lot too. Laughing for 10-15 minutes per day burns up to 40 calories.
*this info came from a Yahoo Shine article about 10 ways to burn more calories while sitting*
Maybe I'll get out my old yoga ball and try sitting on that while I'm working for awhile. I'm lucky enough to telecommute so no one but the dog will look at me weird. Then I'll turn up Pandora and rock out at my desk and laugh hysterically.
10 Ways to Burn More Calories at Your Desk
