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Most writers lead sedentary lifestyles. We sit for hours in front of the computer or over our legal pad writing our stories. While this is necessary in order to produce our work, it can be very unhealthy for our bodies.

For me, I have it bad because I do a lot of sitting at the day job as well. And for some reason, my company is having this holiday celebration where it seems every day some kind of food is being showered upon us. Cookies, cupcakes, candy canes, brownies, and all kinds of other seasonal treats. At least I’m a salt chick and the sweet treats don’t phase me. But I think today we’re having a buffet lunch, and I’m sure that they’ll be plenty of salty temptations.

So what’s a sedentary writer to do?

I’ve always known how important having an active lifestyle is to promote health. And a healthy body equals a healthy mind which is good for creativity. And highly creative minds writer better novels.

It’s not always easy though but little things can help.

Here are some tips that help me strive against a sedentary lifestyle:

1. Drink 32 oz of water before noon.

This helps get water in your body early in the day to keep you hydrated and keep hunger at bay. Do you know sometimes thirst can be disguised as hunger? You’re not really hungry but dehydrated? For my water intake I always drink 8 oz upon waking, another 8 oz after my writing session and then 8 oz on the way to work. By the time lunch rolls in, I’ve drank my 32 oz.

2. Use walking as part of physical activity.

Walking is the best type of physical activity and easy to fit in your day. Health officials recommend we should walk 10,000 steps per day. But the average person only usually gets 3,000 steps or less. Take the stairs. Park farther from your destination. Walk around the block in your neighborhood. Buy a pedometer to keep track. You’d be surprised how many more steps you can accumulate in a day with just simple changes. Because let’s face it, working out at the gym doesn’t happen as much as we would like.

3. Eat wisely.

Want to eat something that you know may not be in your best interest? Make sure that it’s something you REALLY want. No use of eating something just because it’s there. Pick your poison wisely. I might kill you for Mexican queso dip with chips. But chocolate cake? Not so much. Don’t eat it because it’s there. Eat it because you really love it and then eat it slowly so that you can savor it. If you deprive yourself, you’ll only binge later.

4. Keep it in perspective.

Always keep things in perspective. Think about ways to incorporate a healthier lifestyle. Most things don’t happen overnight. It’s always the little changes that become habits and have a lasting effect. Think of one small thing you can do to promote a healthier lifestyle and then just focus on that until it’s second nature. Then pick another thing.