This July is Physical Activity and Weight Management Month, so we’ll be celebrating some ways you can increase your activity and keep the pounds off.

Most likely, your job at North Shore Bank doesn’t involve too much running around. Some positions require a lot of movement, but many bank employees spend the bulk of the workday at their desks in front of a screen.

As we’ve mentioned before, that much sitting can be seriously detrimental to your health. The good news is that you can make simple changes that not only mitigate the damage caused by sitting, but that even burn calories. The Mayo Clinic lists 10 workplace exercises on its website. Among the suggestions:

No. 4: Trade your office chair for a fitness ball

Consider trading your desk chair for a firmly inflated fitness or stability ball, as long as you’re able to safely balance on the ball. You’ll improve your balance and tone your core muscles while sitting at your desk. You can even use the fitness ball for wall squats or other workplace exercises during the day.

No. 5: Keep fitness equipment in your work area

Store resistance bands — stretchy cords or tubes that offer weight-like resistance when you pull on them — or small hand weights in a desk drawer or cabinet. Do arm curls between meetings or tasks.

No. 6: Get social

Organize a lunchtime walking group. You might be surrounded by people who are ready to lace up their walking shoes — and hold each other accountable for regular exercise. Enjoy the camaraderie, and offer encouragement to one another when the going gets tough.

It might feel odd or embarrassing to swap in a fitness ball for your chair, or to pull out a set of small dumbbells in front of your co-workers. But the truth is, most people won’t care much at all — if anything, they’ll probably be impressed at the efforts you’re making! We have to take care of our own health to take care of the people in our lives — family, friends, customers and fellow employees — so do your part and help create the most supportive and healthy environment you can here at North Shore Bank!