Yesterday, I walked to lunch with one of the interns- round trip 45 minutes. Instead of feeling sleepy (like I usually do after lunch), I felt alert. Most Los Angelenos don't know what they're missing by driving to the convenience store 3 blocks away.

I agree! I walk whenever I get a chance. It does wonders for your energy as well as you found out!

I too walked to lunch that day roughly that same distance. Thanks for the advice, walking is surprisingly fun to do, especially since it's also great for you.

I'm glad it works for you! You get the extra benefit of clearing your mind from the says tasks - which is what makes it fun!

I would walk on breaks, too. Sometimes, people look at you like your crazy. I'd be like, I'm gonna walk around the park an back. And folks would be like, why ?
I lived like 3 minutes and 5 seconds from a convenient store (on foot), and said I needed something from the store, to a neighbor. When I started out on foot, he asked if my wife had the car, or if I needed a ride.
Your body has GOT to be for more than carrying your head from the car to the house !

ice tips, thanks! I will try them out and see if they work. I feel awfully sleepy after lunch so I hope this will help.

This is good blog for people who work a lot and can't seem to get enough time in for working out. None of the things you listed seem stupid or embarassing either. Walking is the best one, in my opinion, because you can always find someone who works with you who may want to join you on your walks. I would recommend this blog to anyone in my office!!

I'd love to be able to exercise at work. You've got some great ideas for burning some extra calories during the lunch hour. The one thing I don't like is the people looking at my like I'm nuts when I want to go for a walk during the lunch hour. It would be nice if we could get a group from the office involved in walking or exercise - that would help us get to know one another and put the weird looks to rest. Thanks for the ideas.

I do walk everyday at lunchtime, just to get some fresh air. But the other two- Dribbling a basketball, or playing football, is unfortunately not possible for me.

Simple but practical ideas for re-energizing your day. I'm afraid I'm guilty of not getting enough exercise. Working from home without a set lunch break doesn't help. My walking is often limited to going from the office to the kitchen.

I used to climb a huge hill behind the house a few times a week, but I got out of the habit a couple months ago and haven't gotten back into it. You've given me a well-deserved kick in the pants to get moving again. :-)

Just what we all need to be reminded of-get off your butt! Exercise is so important and while we all like to say there is no time, you are right, a good walk on breaks does good. if you take a friends a long with you on the walk, it is even greater. You may walk farther and you have company. I know someone who even walks to work. I have no idea how she does it everyday, but she looks great. I need to get back moving again...like today!

While this stuff is all fairly obvious, I never think to do more than walking on my lunch break! Good ideas!

This is such a good way to get moving & clear the cobwebs in the brain from hours of indoor work. I don't work at an office job, but when I did, this was the best way to be more productive in the afternoon hours! It has a double bonus of boosting your energy and relieving stress. Good idea. Find something you enjoy and go do it - even more fun when you get a friend involved!

I don't work out like I should, but these are all great ideas. It also could help blow off some steam. Maybe employers should embrace this and have a game space somewhere for employees at lunch or even on 15 minute breaks.

walking is a good way to revitalize yourself and get your energy level up. Good post!

I wish more people would read this and realize just how simple it is to make small changes that lead to a path of healthy living. Great quick post. Thanks!!

I often hear people complaining at the office that they have no time to get to the gym, all the while during their lunch hour they drive to the mcdonalds come back and sit and eat for an hour. When what they could do to start a change only takes an hour a day thats 5 a week that they could be exercising and stop complaining that they are always tired.

I have to disagree with this blog. If you don't sweat, then you're not burning any calories which aren't helping you lose any weight at all. Which means the exercise would be pointless. BUT! The last time I remember throwing a football or dribbling a basketball OR even walking, I sweat. I guess it just depends on how much you do it that keeps you from getting too sweaty. I just can't think of a good exercise that you won't sweat, while doing.

I think realistically, the best thing we can do for ourselves in our lunch hour is to walk. I don't know how realistic it is to play football or basketball, but we can walk. A nice walk will just get your muscles moving, give you fresh air, and overall give you energy throughout the day. Yup, I walk around and windowshop whenever I have my lunch and I really enjoy that time.

I really enjoy rollerblading during my lunch break. I just happen to work near a skatepark so it is easy! =]

Thanks for speaking out against those who waste their lives, sitting at a table, and never using their muscles or their energy.

I notice you based most of your exercises on sports, they are excellent ways to use your body, but there are also many other ways. That was just for the non-sporting ones who might read this and be turned off by that aspect.

"Outdoor Exercises You can do on Your Lunch Hour" is a bit misleading for the advice that Apryl is really recommending on this article. "Excercise" really is getting your heart rate to a certain level as well as putting your body through some - even small - rigors. Dribbling a ball, catching a ball, and - sometimes even walking - is not really 'exercise.' Walking - if done at a leisurely pace - isn't really exercise or that helpful.

This article sounds more for people who are morbidly obese and looking for something their bodies that have limited motor function can accommodate. These "exercises" that she's recommending would not stimulate a healthy body to the point of any great benefit.

I think it's overly simplistic - and the reactions are from people who seem to be doing so much more that this article doesn't apply to them.

The article is not enough and shouldn't really be called exercises as they truly aren't exercising the body to any beneficial extent..

These are some good ideas, but they aren't practical for every job situation. I think walking is a great idea, but throwing a football or baseball isn't something everyone can do on their lunch hour. Perhaps some a better idea would be checking into a local gym for classes you can take on your lunch hour. If your company has a gym, why not take advantage of it? Go for a run at the park, instead of throwing a football around. Start a jogging group with co-workers who also would like to jog on their lunch hour. This way, you can set individual goals and team goals, as well as keep each other accountable each day. Your post is a start, but I think there are some better ideas out there.

I often walk during my lunch hour. It makes all the difference in how productive I am the rest of the afternoon! I feel better and I think more clearly. A few colleagues kick around a soccer ball once in a while--it always helps to have a workout partner!

Great ideas! Something else that's pretty decent are those exercise bands. I know it's a little bit of a goofy idea, simply stretching a giant rubber-band, but the work-out they provide is surprisingly good. I certainly had my doubts but then I saw an entire article in Men's Health magazine on them and I figured they might be worth a shot. A couple months later the US Army MWR started handing them out with little instructional booklets and so I began using them. They take up no space and are a great way to work out while traveling. Hey, if nothing else they're pretty cheap so even if you don't like it you've spent less that a day pass admission price for many gyms.

People are coming down really hard on this article, it doesnt matter if you sweat! everyone has their own level at which they sweat some people sweat from standing outside for a few min in the sun. Nor is this for obese people, the fact is movement burns calories, clearly these will not bring you to your peak or provide you with enough to keep you extremely fit but they are excellent suggestions to get you out there.
And while people cannot do all of them if you work in an office setting the fresh air is great for the body as well as the increased bloodflow and sunshine (if the sun's out). Thanks for the article.