It was everyone's favorite 'subject' in school -- now recess is set to make a comeback amidst news that 15-minute intense bursts of physical activity are as effective as hours at the gym. Yeah, I'm sure we'd all love to take some time out of our busy work days to go play tag in a nearby field, but the logistics of it are a nightmare -- after all, what would the boss say if you came back to work with grass stains all over your power suit?

Still, that doesn't mean you can't get in short sessions of activity throughout the day. Here are some suggestions:

• Take the stairs, and don't just amble up them -- run up them or take them two at a time. You'll be huffing and puffing by the time you reach the top, but you'll be energized for the rest of the morning.
• Swap your morning Starbucks run for a brisk speed walk around the block. Fresh air is better for your energy levels than a caffeine jolt anyway.
• Walk to the photocopier -- two floors up. And remember to take the stairs.
• Run for the bus, whether you're running late or not. Hey -- maybe you'll even impress your boss by arriving early.
• Offer to do the heavy lifting, like if your department needs a new box of paper. Just make sure you know how to lift properly -- busting your back will not help you get fit.

Got any other suggestions? Please share.

Logging long hours at your desk isn't only indicative of hard work -- it can be hard on your body, too. And if you're spending a lot of time on your computer every day, you know it can be a pain. Literally. Slouching forward, shrugging your shoulders upward, and keeping your legs in one position for hours on end are all issues office workers face, and the solution could be as simple sitting in a different chair.

The Henry Works Launch Chair is designed to allow the user to get some stretching and exercise in while at work. On the website, it states, "Combating lack of movement and boredom should be a key goal in office environment design." The Launch Chair lists three specific benefits.

• First, it offers "very ergonomic back and leg support as well as hand position and comfort."
• Additionally, "by pushing with the legs the chair back slides and the seat hinges down so the worker can extend and exercise their lower legs."
• And, "by combining the computer and phone on one rolling platform it allows workers to move about the facility for 'new views.'"

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our That's Fit fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. My office has a really nice fitness facility, but I feel a bit awkward using it. It's free and very convenient, I'm just a bit nervous about getting in there. I'm not very fit and it embarrasses me. Donna

A. I feel for you Donna. Office dynamics can be kind of weird, but your lack of gym savvy should not prevent you from enjoying what we both agree is one awesome benefit of your job. You said it yourself: You have full access to a nice gym that's both free and convenient. Who could ask for more? I'm confident my suggestions will put you at ease and get you moving quickly.

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You may not realize it, but your desk could be making you fat.

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Several years ago when I still worked in an office environment, we went through a pretty rough stretch. We were all working long hours and were stressed beyond belief. We all pitched in and when we got the job done, my boss gave each of us a six-pack of fancy-schmancy beer and a big bar of chocolate. Hands down, he was the coolest boss in the world.

We never had the dreaded candy bowl at that office, but we did have our fair share of bagels for breakfast and pizza for lunch. Though it was awesome that our boss liked to treat us once in a while, the treats were never very healthful.

Enter The Fruit Guys. This service delivers a box of fresh fruit to the office once a week. What a great idea. (All of you bosses out there, take note!) Not only will this improve employee morale, it will also contribute to better health and weight management which, in turn, improves employee productivity.

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You know that getting active when you're away from your desk is good for your health, but did you know that your after-work workout can also reduce your risk of repetitive strain injuries?

It's true! The theory is that getting physical outside of work "may promote mechanical and metabolic processes in the musculoskeletal system that counters the repetitive or sedentary effects of many jobs." And, most of us definitely suffer from those effects -- from desk jobs to physical labor, repetitive motions and a sedentary nature are all too common.

This isn't just important for your comfort (although, that is pretty important) -- health problems stemming from work-related strains and injuries cost companies big bucks, and cost you moolah, too. Moral of the story -- you have lots of reasons to hit the gym, and this just piled a couple more on.

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When I worked in an office, I was that girl who pushed her swivel chair away in favor of sitting on an exercise ball. To be honest, I don't know that I noticed a huge difference, but I actually found it to be really comfy and kind of fun. The only problem was when I'd get up from my desk -- it would roll away and get in the way, which is totally embarrassing if you're talking to a customer. Trust me.

Gaiam has come up with a solution -- the BalanceBall Chair, which, according to their website, "combines exercise and fitness with comfort and ergonomic support for an affordable price." At $99, it is pretty affordable, especially when you consider the fact that you'll get use out of it every day at work!

But how does it improve your fitness level? Well, for one thing, just sitting on a ball, rather than a flat seat, engages your core. Holding yourself straight requires all of the muscles through your core to remain active, whereas with a comfy seat, you might be inclined to slouch down. But that's not all.

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Blogging is good for the mind and the soul, but don't let anyone tell you it's good for the body. Sure, writing about healthy habits all day long can be inspiring, but blogging itself is a sedentary, solitary task. And if you're a blogger, you're at risk for something called Blogger Bloat -- "a tendency of bloggers and bloghers to gain weight by sitting for long hours in front of computers, snacking on treats! Blogger bloat is a greater risk in the winter, when bloggers tend to choose starchy and comfort snacks," according to this article on Divine Caroline.

Of course, this isn't limited to blogging -- it's something experienced by anyone who spends hours in front of the computer. It could be called writer's waist, typist's tummy or receptionist's rear. Whatever the reason keeping you from getting up and moving around, it's important to find a balance. Avoid blogger bloat and other conditions with these 10 tips.

How do you keep up with blogging and still stay slim?

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Compared to a job like deep-sea welding, working in an office behind a desk seems like a pretty safe career move. You might think that there's little chance for injury, but don't forget that there are still are a few dangers: Weight gain from inactivity, depleted eyesight, poor posture, and let's not forget probability of severe mid-afternoon fatigue.

Divine Caroline has some excellent rules for avoiding some of the dangers of the desk job:

• The 20/20 Rule - Save your eyesight by looking away from your computer every 20 minutes for 20 seconds at something three feet away.
• The Floating Mouse Rule - When moving your mouse, move your whole arm instead of just your wrist.
• The Mini-break Rule - take a 30 to 60 second break every 30 minutes -- use this time to take a short walk or do some stretches.

They have even more excellent tips to share ... click here for more info.

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Offices in England might soon be invaded by weight loss vigilantes, who will conduct weigh-ins, meetings and nutritional seminars, all aimed at getting employees healthy. Weight Watchers UK has developed a scheme aimed at office workers in the UK, and it's expected that at least 500 companies will sign up for the program, according to this article from The Daily Mail.

Mads Ryder, the senior VP of Weight Watchers UK, says there are a number of benefits of helping employees shed excess pounds: "For the employer it will help cut healthcare costs and cut down on the number of days staff are off sick, and I don't think employees will have a problem with taking part. Losing weight makes you more confident about yourself and improves your ability to do your job." As for how they will go about helping employees lose weight, Ryder says, "We are about changing attitudes to food."

I think this is a great idea, but they should expand it by offering fitness classes as well. Do you agree?

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Sick of your workplace candy dish? The vending machine that calls your name on breaks? The lack of anything fresh and nutritious to spunk you up during your work day slump? Might be time to call on the Fruit Guys.

Produce at the peak of freshness can be delivered to your office door, thanks to the Fruit Guys. "We can pump up your team at minimal cost," say these dudes, who offer a satisfaction guarantee. Eat your fruit at work or take it home to the family. Either way, you're sure to save time, hassle, and your health.

Enticed? Check out this CNN video for more good scoop. Then click here to place your order.

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Wellness programs are gaining popularity with employers (about 1/3 of companies in the U.S. now offer them) and for many, it's a real blessing, after all who wouldn't want a free gym membership sitting out there that they can use or not, or free health screenings and flu shots available right on the job site?

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Do you have a soda habit? I went through a period when I used to work in an office and I would drink cup after cup of loaded coffee all morning and bottle after bottle of Diet Coke all afternoon -- talk about sugar and caffeine overload! I have since pretty much cut out soda (and am still working on cutting down on so much coffee) but it wasn't an easy transition. For me the habit-breaking point came when I moved into a home office that (thankfully!) didn't come stocked with a Diet Coke vending machine calling my name from across the room.

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We've all experienced "brain failure," that embarrassing moment when you can't remember something totally mundane and regular -- like how to spell a simple word or where you parked your car. Having a better memory is something pretty much everybody would enjoy, especially when it comes to doing your best at work. Giving your noodle a boost is something you can do in as little as 30 seconds, so there's really no reason you can't fit an exercise or two into your daily routine. Try one of these exercises from Natural Health to get started:

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Most of us have one major problem with exercise: Finding time for it. I know the feeling--between working 8-10 hours a day, spending time with family and trying to run a household, it's difficult, sometimes impossible, to find time to head to the gym. My job is no help--being a writer doesn't exactly burn too many calories.

But they key is trying to find way to work exercise into your everyday life. Weight Loss Journal recently revealed 8 ways to exercise throughout the day, including:

• Sucking in your stomach -- it really does help to tone your tummy, and it makes you look slimmer instantly.
  
• Fidgeting. It helps you burn calories throughout the day.
  
• Taking the stairs at work.
  
• Using a desk exercise machine. You can work away while silently pedalling under your desk. Neat, huh?

Read the rest of the tips here, and when you're done, tell us what you do to work in the workouts.

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