lostintranslatn Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 As a writer/editor, my job is very much shackled to the computer (and therefore the desk). But sitting still from 8:30 to 5:30 every day is like torture to me--and apparently torture for my body, too! My office is pretty conservative, so standing or doing lunges down the hallway whenever I get bored isn't an option.In an attempt to overcome the monotony and sneak in some fitness, I do little "physical challenges" instead. Here are some of the ones I keep in heavy rotation:Use the restroom on a different floor and take the stairsDo squats in the handicapped stallSet a timer for ten minutes and sit as straight as physically possible until it's upSneak out for a walk around the blockLeg extensions, seated calf raises, and other calisthenics I can do at my deskDo y'all have other physical challenges that you do at work? Ideas for beating the monotony? Please share! Quote The rain on my chest is a baptism. I am born again. Link to comment
This is Seth Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Fitness ball instead of a chair. My core is loving it. Plus, as a bonus, if you want to get out of an uncomfortable conversation with your boss or coworker... just bounce. See how long they can keep a straight face as you're bouncing up and down. Quote You ever see those guys who look like they totally used to be in shape? I'm working to get back to that... Link to comment
m00se Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I do sometimes have the occasional day sitting around doing very little, and I find the following helps with everyday fitness: - if you have other floors in your building, find the toilet the most number of floors away (and challenge yourself to get from your desk to that one and back in the same time it'd normally take you to walk to the nearby one) - sprint up any and all stairs (like there's a zombie horde on your ass) - walk nowhere (sprint everywhere, even to the copier - your boss will not mind your increased productivity) - wear ankle weights (to increase burn with all the sprinting you're going to be doing) - wear wrist weights and don't let yourself rest your forearms on the desk or keyboard while typing (good when you're sitting typing a lot although it does make your shoulders burn) - 'sitting planks' (tense your entire core as hard as you can, as if you're about to get kicked in the gut, for 60+ seconds at a time while sitting at your desk: hurts) Every little helps. Quote Link to comment
Shortkaik Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I love your suggestions, lostintranslatn! I'm certainly going to try a few of those out. I'm a software developer so I have similar desk shackles. My trick is to drink a lot of water and use a small glass - so I get up every 20 minutes or so to either refill my little cup or go pee. Quote Mmm... kaik.Twitter - flickr Link to comment
CraftingFish Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I think if her office is conservative, a fitness ball might be out; I know with my office, especially since I sit right outside the "main" conference room, such a thing is pretty expressly forbidden. That being said, my big thing is walking around 2-3 times an hour. I don't know that I want to do squats in the bathroom quite yet >.< Quote Fitocracy: http://www.fitocracy.com/profile/CraftingFish/ Current 6-week Challenge: http://nerdfitness.com/community/showthread.php?5734-The-Defending-the-Bride-to-Be-from-Visigoths-Challenge Rarely updated Blog: http://craftingfish.blogspot.com/ Link to comment
lostintranslatn Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks for chiming in, y'all! The thought of bouncing on a fitness ball while my boss tries to talk to me has me laughing quietly at my desk...does that count as fitness-related?But indeed, due to the formal environment here, I definitely couldn't get away with the bouncy ball. But what about one of these? I've heard you can set them in your seat for the same effect...and it's much less conspicuous! Has anyone tried it? Quote The rain on my chest is a baptism. I am born again. Link to comment
The Tin Man Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 My list, some are every day and some are less common: -I go to farther away bathrooms, often making a bathroom trip an excuse to make a 5 min walk around my building. -Sometimes I take my shoes off and pace a little bit in my cube, though this is easier because there's construction in my area so it's just my cube neighbor that could tell. No foot traffic. -L seats in my chair, lifting myself up by the arm rests. This is also good practice for working towards a floor L seat because my legs can droop. -Squats at my desk when my neighbor isn't there. -Sitting up straight without using the chair backrest, tightening my core to keep my body sturdy. -Walking around the parking lot. -Walking across the lot to our corporate center and going up/down the stairs two then one at a time (7 floors, 24 steps between each). Quote The Tin Man: Cyborg Ranger Tin Man's Out of Date Epic Quest I am what I do. Link to comment
The Purple Diane Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Wall or counter push-ups in the bathroom if no one is around! Quote Link to comment
andygates Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 The thinking walk keeps me sane. Quote Link to comment
lostintranslatn Posted November 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 Oh, a few others I forgot: *One of those hand squeezer thingies to use at your desk *30-second butt squeezes *The classic floor-is-lava game--see how long you can go without letting your feet touch the floor (while sitting in your desk chair) ...Maybe all of us desk jockeys should start holding contests every day to challenge each other at work? Quote The rain on my chest is a baptism. I am born again. Link to comment
LRB Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 LOVE these! Thanks for the reminder(s) that it's possible. Quote LRB, Lifelong Rebel Badass || June 3 challenge thread"What I lack in ability, I make up in stubbornness" -me"Someone busier than you is working out right now" -my mom Link to comment
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