As the first month of the New Year comes to a close, your goals for getting in shape may take a backseat to the necessities of running your business. Although completing your work tasks is critical to the success of your company, business will ultimately suffer if you neglect your health. No matter how busy you are, it’s still possible to get in shape while running a business.

Getting in Shape Tip 1: Include Your Meals

When you have a lot to do during the course of your business day, it’s easy to forget about meals until the afternoon when your stomach rumbles loud enough for clients to hear. Contrary to anything you’ve heard in the past, getting in shape doesn’t mean starving yourself. It means making sensible food choices and providing your body fuel multiple times throughout your day.

If running your business demands your constant focus, you can include your meals and snacks on your schedule. Eating is harder to ignore when you have a reminder pop up on your computer screen. Healthy snacks that are easy to incorporate into your workday include:

  • Almonds
  • Apples
  • Baby carrots
  • Bananas
  • Celery sticks
  • Grapes
  • Peanut butter crackers
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Yogurt

These relatively small snacks can help your metabolism keep working as hard as you are.

Getting in Shape Tip 2: Increase Your Movement

When you have an office job, chances are you spend the bulk of your day staring at a computer screen. If getting in shape is really your goal, you must capitalize on every opportunity to increase your heart rate. Simple ways to bump up your activity level include:

  • Going for a walk around the department during breaks
  • Making the rounds to get status updates from employees instead of emailing
  • Parking as far from your building as possible when weather permits
  • Strolling to nearby restaurants instead of driving
  • Taking the stairs
  • Walking to an employee’s desk with questions instead of phoning

As a bonus, getting away from your desk during the day gives your eyes a needed break from the computer screen, staving off headaches and eyestrain. You may even find your brain is more active after increasing your daily activity level.

Getting in Shape Tip 3: Involve Your Team

Unless your business is a company of one, you probably have employees who also want to get in shape this year. Look for fitness activities you can do that involve your team. Not only can this help you form a stronger bond with your team members, it’s more difficult to blow off your scheduled exercise when you have a group of people you see each day to keep you accountable.

Possible fitness activities for getting in shape with your team might be:

  • Forming a company team, like softball or bowling
  • Joining a local gym or health club together
  • Participating in charity walks or runs
  • Scheduling walks before or after work
  • Taking fitness classes, like kickboxing, water aerobics or yoga

While the health benefits to increasing your exercise level are obvious, you may experience financial savings as well. In general, employees who exercise on a regular basis are less likely to face the health challenges that come with a sedentary lifestyle. This can mean fewer sick days and lost productivity.