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.'"

When a mega-celeb like Katie Holmes appears thinner than usual, it's easy to assume that it's because of her overbearing husband, her bizarre Scientology religion or her apparent desire to look exactly like Victoria Beckham. But according to the star herself, her recent weight loss is for much less interesting reasons -- she's simply working too much.

Working long hours six days a week during the recent Broadway run of All My Sons, Katie said her busy schedule was the reason for her figure. "My metabolism was in full gear the whole time," she says. "I lose weight fast when I'm working so hard. It doesn't matter how much I eat, I just get thin. It's not the worst problem in the world to have though is it?"

Fair enough -- I know when I'm busy at work, I tend to eat less too. Your thoughts?

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As long as I've known of him, Kevin James has always been that typical funny fat guy. But he wasn't always this way -- well, what I mean is he hasn't always been large. He's probably always been funny. Anyway, James recently admitted that his weight is a result of his job. Yeah, most of us have been there too, huh?

But unlike the rest of us who blame our weight on our sedentary office job, James says his stand-up career is the culprit. "I wasn't always a big guy. Stand-up ruined it for me. I would be sitting at dinner at 2 in the morning after a show, and I wouldn't wake up until 3 o'clock the next afternoon. That set a pattern that wasn't great for my metabolism," he recently told the New York Post.

Yeah, that'll do it. The key is finding a healthy routine that works with your schedule, however wonky it may be.

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In the days when Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate pin-up girl, the ideal figure was an hourglass one: Big in the bust, small in the waist, big in the hips. You don't see that kind of shape much on the red carpet these days. Instead, the bobble-head look seems to take precedence.

But even out of the spotlight, in the homes of the average folk, it seems the hourglass is disappearing -- we're carrying more weight in our tummies than our hips, according to recent studies, and our hip-to-waist ratios are going down, especially in cultures where women tend to be more financially independent. And our jobs are to blame.

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The office never seems as bleak as it does during the first week back at work after the holidays, huh? If that statement sums up how you feel today, you're really going to hate me when I tell you this: Working your nose to the grindstone is good for your health.

According to this article from The Daily Mail, "Those who are industrious and ambitious are likely to live up to four more years than the impulsive and free-spirited among us ... They succumb less to the temptations of drink, drugs or risk-taking - which helps guarantee their health."

The long and short of it? The more you work, the more healthy your lifestyle. Which means, of course, that you're more likely to be fit and slim. So what are you waiting for? Get back to work!

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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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In the wise words of Dolly Parton, "Working nine to five ... it's enough to drive you crazy if you let it." If you want to avoid the driving-you-crazy part and be more productive and less stressed, the answer is simple: Exercise.

University of Bristol researchers found that people who exercised on work days -- either before work or during lunch -- experienced less stress and were better able to handle the challenges of their workdays.

It's not surprising, really. Exercise can do wonders for your mood. And if you have a crabby co-worker, a demanding boss or unreasonable deadlines to deal with, you can certainly use a little boost in the mood department. And physical activity can increase your energy which, in turn, will make you a more productive employee. So get moving! You never know ... maybe your boss will notice your great performance and you'll get that raise you sorely deserve.

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I was recently interviewed for the website GoHealthyGoFit about my favorite training music. I'm the type of sport who loves to go all out when I train. Hitting the wall elates me, and music plays a vital role in helping get that far.

You can find my list here along with a few others. (The article follows the photo of me shown here on the right.)The music I list is both fast and aggressive, which is really perfect for the things I love to do. Kickboxing, running, weight training, and more.

"Scarred" is by far my favorite, because I always loved to listen to it before a fight. "Go Away," is awesome for tough training but also makes me giggle. The article includes links, so you can have a listen to each song on my list. "Go Away" will probably make you giggle too.

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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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Tomorrow is the deadline for my book, The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook. I'm thrilled with Adams Media for hiring me to write it but on occasion, my body has been very angry at them for giving me such a tight deadline. This uber short deadline has caused little Miss Fitzness Trainer to sit for 12 hours at a time with my head buried in my laptop quite often. My brain is thrilled, but my back has been bummed.

The only reason I've survived is because I'm already really good at taking care of my body. I've never had to sit down for such long periods of time as a requirement of my job, but when the side effects of doing so set in ... I knew how to respond.

I imagine a lot of you are stuck at a desk for hours on a daily basis. I feel for you. I also have some ideas to help you survive it without all of the stiff, achy and strained body parts.

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com 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. Fitz. I'm dying to get in shape, but I'm just too tired to do anything about it. I work a ton, sleep a little, and can't even find time to make a salad. What do I do? Erica

A. Hi Erica. Your question is kinda like the "chicken and the egg" dilemma. I know you think you're too tired to be fit, but this problem is probably in reverse. You are simply unable to keep up with your busy life because you are unfit. Time to make some changes.

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We all know sitting at a desk all day doesn't burn up the calories. You already take the stairs and may even do squats in the stall, but here's an idea that allows for maximum efficiency. Burn calories and create a spreadsheet at the same time? Gotta love that. Multi-tasking at its finest!

Bringing your lunch to work, school or wherever you spend your days is a healthier alternative to noshing at fast food joints and restaurants. But if knowing this is not incentive enough, consider this: Packing your own lunch can save you up to $2,000 a year. That's enough for a couple pairs of Manolos, a relaxing trip somewhere warm or a reliable older car.

Think about it: A sandwich, side salad and diet pop at a café or restaurant will probably total around $10-$12 (maybe more, depending on where you live). The cost to make that sandwich and side salad and buy the soda in bulk? This is just a rough guesstimate, but I'd say around $3.

The easiest way to make sure you have something nutritious and delicious in your lunch box the next day is by cooking a bit extra when you make dinner. Got other yummy lunch ideas? Please share.

Not keen on the brown bag? Try packing a lunch in something like this Lunch & Go Lunchbox.

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