Any Overcoming Sitting Disease Success Stories (no kidding)

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Sitting Disease? Doesn't that sound dumb? Well, I was reading an article the other day and it kinda shook me awake a bit...it was called:

6 Unhealthy Habits that Are as Bad as Smoking...the number one thing said this:
http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/6-unhealthy-habits-bad-smoking-170500236.html

#1: Sitting all day.
Even if you exercise regularly, habitually sitting for prolonged periods, whether at a desk or in a car, is being increasingly linked to a variety of health problems. According to Alberta Health Services-Cancer Care in Canada, inactivity is linked to nearly 160,000 cases of breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer every year, about two-thirds as many cancer cases caused by smoking.

Now, I don't have a clue if these "studies" are accurate or not...but I do know that my sitting so much isn't good for me. So, I did a bit more research and found this:

Do You Have Sitting Disease?:noway:
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/do-you-have-sitting-disease

Wow! That inspired me to come here to ask you winners (who have made it your business to purposely get off y/our duff more and move more than you sit everyday to get the weight off and make yourself more active and less sedentary) who have or are winning the battle of "Sitting Disease" to see what you've done or are doing to help you no longer be sedentary and thus help you lose weight and keep it off. I know this sounds like a silly topic, but it's REAL and it may be causing many of us to not lose the weight as we could or should. So, if you will kindly reply with ANY of your success stories/overcoming sitting on your behind all the time, I'd greatly appreciate it and I think it will help many others too!

Thanks in advance for your replies! :flowerforyou:

deb54

I have it !!!

salembambi

I have it....how do I live with myself now?

hkristine1

I definitely have this (even though I try to go to the gym pretty much every day at lunch time - that at least breaks up my prolonged sitting). I have thought about getting a treadmill to have at the office, and I know my office would allow me to do it - but I would need one that is super quiet, and since I don't have a standing desk (THAT would be cool!), the only time I'd really use it was when I was on the phone and didn't need to be typing, so it seems like it wouldn't be that helpful.

I have heard of people getting those big exercise balls and using that instead of a chair at their desks - that, at least, would keep your core engaged, even if you are technically sitting.

A trick I used to use (although it's faded away from my life - this makes me think I should bring it back) was to set my "notifications" in Outlook to send me a POPUP every 15 minutes to remind me to stretch and drink water. I often ignored it, but sometimes I didn't - and sometimes is better than nothing - right?!

jdr999

Yes, I have it also. I've spent most of my life in front of a computer screen.. :noway:

Years ago I did transition to a standing desk which I liked but it wasn't enough. I'm now using a Lifespan treadmill desk and usually spend 2+ hours a day walking while working and surfing. Heck, I was going to be in front of the computer anyway so why not?

With the treadmill desk I don't have to find extra time during my day to keep moving - I can do it while I'm doing something else and don't even notice the miles ticking by

katznkt

I'm slowly trying to win. First thing was I got a Fitbit. I realized that on a normal day I actually walked less than 1000 steps.

So I decided to stop calling if I could get up and talk face to face instead. I did that and my steps jumped to 5000 a day. Then I worked on getting them to 7500 everyday. Then 10 flights of stairs.

ktaylormusic

Get a fitbit. Or any pedometer, but the fitbit's the most fun and motivating and easy one I've had. Makes it easy to work up your activity level and see what you're actually doing outside of actual "official" exercise time... you devise all sorts of ways to get more steps while at work -- I go up and down the stairs an extra time each time (it's a short flight), and use the washroom down a flight of stairs instead of the one next to my office... walk down the hall to talk to someone instead of calling... and, on the days I can actually fit (any of) this in, I'll do the thing where I set a reminder timer and once an hour I'll get up and do a walkabout (I work in a Museum so I can head out of our offices for a 5 minute walk through, or, sometimes 5 minutes around the parking lot outside.)

After a while you just start automatically sneaking in extra bits of movement, and it feels good

I have one of those ball office chairs, and I love it.

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I definitely have this (even though I try to go to the gym pretty much every day at lunch time - that at least breaks up my prolonged sitting). I have thought about getting a treadmill to have at the office, and I know my office would allow me to do it - but I would need one that is super quiet, and since I don't have a standing desk (THAT would be cool!), the only time I'd really use it was when I was on the phone and didn't need to be typing, so it seems like it wouldn't be that helpful.

I have heard of people getting those big exercise balls and using that instead of a chair at their desks - that, at least, would keep your core engaged, even if you are technically sitting.

A trick I used to use (although it's faded away from my life - this makes me think I should bring it back) was to set my "notifications" in Outlook to send me a POPUP every 15 minutes to remind me to stretch and drink water. I often ignored it, but sometimes I didn't - and sometimes is better than nothing - right?!

Yay! Thanks for posting this! I have one of those balls...I use it sometime (not nearly enough) for exercising...but hadn't thought of using it for regular sitting--thanks for mentioning this. Also...DUH!!! I never thought of setting a timer to have me stretch in 15 or so minutes increments throughout the day, that''s another tremendous idea. Thanks ever so much for posting!
:drinker: :flowerforyou: :drinker:

redwoodkestrel

I'll also agree with getting a Fitbit - it was a huge motivator for me! I was totally in the the go to work, sit for 8 hours, take the elevator everywhere, come home and sit in front of the computer/tv routine before I got my Fitbit. I went from ~2000 steps a day to now regularly getting 11-15K steps a day. I make sure I get up from my desk and walk around every couple hours or so, I take the long way everywhere in my office, etc. I've also added exercising before work and walking/C25K training after work.

redwoodkestrel

Get a fitbit. Or any pedometer, but the fitbit's the most fun and motivating and easy one I've had. Makes it easy to work up your activity level and see what you're actually doing outside of actual "official" exercise time... you devise all sorts of ways to get more steps while at work -- I go up and down the stairs an extra time each time (it's a short flight), and use the washroom down a flight of stairs instead of the one next to my office... walk down the hall to talk to someone instead of calling... and, on the days I can actually fit (any of) this in, I'll do the thing where I set a reminder timer and once an hour I'll get up and do a walkabout (I work in a Museum so I can head out of our offices for a 5 minute walk through, or, sometimes 5 minutes around the parking lot outside.)

After a while you just start automatically sneaking in extra bits of movement, and it feels good

I have one of those ball office chairs, and I love it.

Ha, nice! I work in a museum too and I do laps around the floor during the day, all while weaving in and out of groups! :happy:

spirit095

I'm pretty sure I have this. I work an office job and when I come home, I'm sitting most of the time. What I try to do is take breaks and walk around and stretch for a bit. I'll find excuses to go to the mailbox, etc lol. I think I should probably up this now =/

mccindy72

Working in an office, and even when I'm at home, I try to get up every hour or hour and a half or so and do something. Squats, lunges, triceps dips on the chair, desk pushups, etc. Or go for a brisk walk, do some stairs. It's a good way to get some light weight work in, and get the blood pumping and stop sitting for a while.

SwimBikeRun27

Although I work out 5-6 days a week, and monitor my diet, I am still someone who sits at a desk from 8:30am to 5:00pm (at the earliest) Monday to Friday. However, I have done a few things to battle this as well! The first thing I did was share the article I read (I beieve the article was in Runner's World where I read it that stated "Sitting is the new Smoking") with the entire office; I made everyone aware! This is where I may be lucky, most of the people I work with are health conscious and were amazed by the information that was included in the article. This didn't necessarily change the fact we all sat behind the desk everyday, but, it did make everyone aware. As for action; I changed a couple of my daily activities during the day. I used to park in the parking lot across the street; now, I park in the parkade that is four blocks away; I have a Fitbit that tracks my steps; and where before I would maybe have 400 steps to my day when I sat down to start my day, I now had 2000 to 2500. Sure, i have to arrive 20 minutes earlier, but I find the walk makes me more awake in the morning. This also gives me an extra 1500-2000 steps at the end of the day as well! As well, I have a gym that is a few blocks from my office; I luckly have short hair, so I sometimes walk down to the gym and go for a quick swim in the pool at lunch time, while another one of my associates walks at lunch. As for during the day and just stepping away from the desk for a few minutes; I am up on the 14th floor; but a lot of activities we have to do throughout the day require going to other floors, or leaving the basement. Any time I go down floors, I ALWAYS take the stairs down, and if I don't have a high climb up, I will take them up as well. I don't tend to take them up the entire 14 floors as I tend to sweat a lot and the times I have taken the entire 14 up, I have a been a sweaty mess at my desk for a time after! haha.

Anyways, those are some of the things I do throughout the day to stay active and keep moving; hopefully you can implement some yourself, or these inspire your own ideas to keep moving!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

Yes, I have it also. I've spent most of my life in front of a computer screen.. :noway:

Years ago I did transition to a standing desk which I liked but it wasn't enough. I'm now using a Lifespan treadmill desk and usually spend 2+ hours a day walking while working and surfing. Heck, I was going to be in front of the computer anyway so why not?

With the treadmill desk I don't have to find extra time during my day to keep moving - I can do it while I'm doing something else and don't even notice the miles ticking by

Wow...Lifespan treadmill desk?!? How cool does that sound? I'm going to have to check that out FOR SURE! Thanks so much for posting too!

luvcookies2014

I have it. I do have a desk I can stand at now, so I do stand part of the time. I also make sure to get up at least every hour. I have to exercise after work or I am uncomfortably stiff from sitting so long..

walkinthedogs

I definitely have it. This may sound silly, but while I'm at my desk working, I will kind of dance a little in my chair, especially when I have good music on and I try to also sit up straight and suck in my gut here and there. Every single time I go to the bathroom (I have a single person bathroom so this is easy to do without feeling weird) I do at least 20 squats and 10 wall pushups, so I usually get about 100 to 120 squats in a day and half of that in wall pushups. If I walk to the copier I will sometimes lunge walk to the copier (depends on who is in the office since I really don't want people seeing me do these silly things). While I'm waiting for my coffee to warm up in the microwave I will do jumping jacks for the 30 seconds or so. And then finally, I spend my lunch hour 3x a week at the gym doing my heavy lifting. I hope some of these things will combat the hours I sit on my duff.

laurarich2014

Yes I have the dreaded disease but am almost in remission. I sit at a desk 8-5 M-F so I have to trick my body into moving. Luckily I have to walk down the stairs to refill my water bottle 4x a day. Every time I do that I walk 5 laps around our conference room tables. That adds about 1000 or so more steps in my day. I walk up and down 17 stairs each time. When I am at home I walk in place and do squats while watching my DVR for about an hour also. Every little bit helps. On the weekends I walk about 5 miles each day doing different things plus using my treadmill.
I tried the exercise ball at work but my desk is too high. Or maybe I need a much bigger exercise ball? Either way I looked like a midget sitting thereat my desk with my hands up like the ape hanger motorcycle riders do.:laugh:

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I'm slowly trying to win. First thing was I got a Fitbit. I realized that on a normal day I actually walked less than 1000 steps.

So I decided to stop calling if I could get up and talk face to face instead. I did that and my steps jumped to 5000 a day. Then I worked on getting them to 7500 everyday. Then 10 flights of stairs.

How fabulous of you...thanks so much for posting. :drinker: I saw a fitbit just yesterday and I've been talking about getting one for a couple of years now--but that tiny thing, with the big price...I keep passing it up.

Amandawith3kids

oh i so have it. i am a sahm, and i crochet for my business, so i sit wayyyy too much.

umeda

So last week I ordered the following end table from amazon and laid it on top of my office desk. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OBA2PO/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It is big enough to fit my laptop, a stand with a monitor on top, and mouse pad with mouse. I've been working while standing. And it has been working out great for me. My back doesn't hurt as much and I can take a few steps back and then to the front when I am reading a printout, talking on the phone, or whatever that doesn't require me to stand in front of my computer screens.

Cost me about $50! A table and a anti-fatigue mat.

Try it!

traceywoody

I definitely have this (even though I try to go to the gym pretty much every day at lunch time - that at least breaks up my prolonged sitting). I have thought about getting a treadmill to have at the office, and I know my office would allow me to do it - but I would need one that is super quiet, and since I don't have a standing desk (THAT would be cool!), the only time I'd really use it was when I was on the phone and didn't need to be typing, so it seems like it wouldn't be that helpful.

I have heard of people getting those big exercise balls and using that instead of a chair at their desks - that, at least, would keep your core engaged, even if you are technically sitting.

A trick I used to use (although it's faded away from my life - this makes me think I should bring it back) was to set my "notifications" in Outlook to send me a POPUP every 15 minutes to remind me to stretch and drink water. I often ignored it, but sometimes I didn't - and sometimes is better than nothing - right?!

Yay! Thanks for posting this! I have one of those balls...I use it sometime (not nearly enough) for exercising...but hadn't thought of using it for regular sitting--thanks for mentioning this. Also...DUH!!! I never thought of setting a timer to have me stretch in 15 or so minutes increments throughout the day, that''s another tremendous idea. Thanks ever so much for posting!
:drinker: :flowerforyou: :drinker:

I have one of those balls too. Now to find it, inflate it and use it. Thanks for the idea!

momxs2

So strange that I'm reading this tonight because I just put a request into my boss for a standing work station! I hope he grants it because I don't want to have sitting disease!

rondaj05

Soooo... I've been SITTING here reading all this... :noway:

I definitely have this but like a few others, I've been trying to break myself of it! I have a fitbit which is definitely motivating but also I started doing squats whenever I have to get up. After reading all these articles I will try to add more to my day!! :blushing:

Obnoxa

I got a fitbit flex and about 2 weeks after the shocking realization of how little I moved according to said fitbit, I hacked my desk into a standing desk for 25 bucks. Now I not only march on the spot all the time, but when you are standing in front of your desk, you are a little more likely to move around; I think of nothing of walking back and forth to the computer all day instead of just vegging in front of it. Best thing I ever did was hack my desk :happy:

Emi1974

:blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing: :blushing:

guilty. I have a fitbit one now since yesterday and I got in my 10.000 steps, but that took a little over an hour to do. For most of my day I sit on my behind.

I also feel very guilty when I sit here and read or write in forums for hours. I am aware that I could utilize this time to be more active!

EvenThatNameIsTaken

I believe I have successfully treated my sitting disease! I have a desk career and have spent years and years seated, plus a lot of my free time is at a desk, so I was sitting ALL the TIME.

I have converted to a standing desk just earlier this month (was thinking about it for about 2 years), I have a fitbit that keeps me moving around, today I got a little mini stepper to use while I'm reading at the computer . I am treating my sitting disease with good results.

It took a couple weeks to get used to not sitting. The legs still aren't quite used to it, it's been almost 4 weeks. The first few days, I loved going to bed so much because I could get off my feet. Then I bought a good stool so I could alternate sitting and standing. Endless standing isn't desirable either!

When I was just getting started trying to sit less, I had a kitchen timer I would set every 20-30 minutes so I would get up and walk around. Didn't always work, but it brought to my attention how much I was actually sitting.

It's great people are talking about fitbit too, it's been a great motivator for me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been walking around before midnight or before going to bed to get those steps in.

TexasGal1

Very interesting indeed! Now, I'm going for a walk. :happy:

NewLIFEstyle4ME

I have it !!!

Me too:frown: But knowledge WITH action is power! I've been frustrated as ALL get out for the past year or so, as I believe I eat VERY well the greater majority of the time, so that's definitely NOT the issue...I've also been exercising regularly too and yet, for the past year or so, I've lost and regained the same blasted 5-11 pounds over and over again. NO sustained losses really at all. I'm thinking my sitting on my tush for the greater majority of the day is (at the very least) a contributing factor to my NOT being successful in taking the weight off and keeping it off.

Reading this about "sitting disease" is a blessing to me--because as the articles state, no matter how much you are exercising, if one is spending the greater majority of the day sitting on one's rump--that's not good at all. Also, I was thinking about HOW I got fat in the first place, after being skinny all my young and middle aged life--and looking at my own personal lifestyle, the key for me IS that I went from being active (spending the greater majority of my time) being active (only sitting on my tail for a few hours per day) to sitting on my bohunkus most of the time, only spending about an hour (on average) exercising and the rest of the time sitting. I'm also learning a lot of ways to battle this "sitting disease" from the articles and the good folks posting here too.

smelius22

I definitely have it! I sit in a desk all day long, sit in my car, work out for an hour, get home and immediately plop down on the couch. I'm so tired from sitting all day that I won't even get up to get a drink from the kitchen! Once my butt hits the sofa, I'm down for the night. So sad!

BUT there's good news. Next month I start a new job where I won't be sitting quite as much, and I'll go from fulltime to parttime, so I have the rest of the day after 1:00 to go on walks or exercise or run errands. Can't wait! I think this change is going to be GREAT.

smelius22

I have it !!!

Me too:frown: But knowledge WITH action is power! I've been frustrated as ALL get out for the past year or so, as I believe I eat VERY well actually more often than not...I've been exercising regularly too and yet, for the past year or so, I've lost and regained the
same blasted 5-11 pounds over and over again. NO sustained losses really at all. I'm thinking my sitting on my tush for the greater majority of the day is (at the very least) a contributing factor to my being successful in taking the weight off and keeping it off.

I'm having that same problem! Although I've been at this only 4 months, I haven't lost a SINGLE stinkin pound, I've actually gained one! I'll admit I haven't always been 100% on top of my diet (always within 200 cals of my daily limit), but I have been working out 5x/week this entire time and the only change I've seen is muscle definition in my thighs. So frustrating!

BigVeggieDream

I have this too, but some of the ideas seemed unrealistic.

"Aim for 10 minutes of NEAT each hour" - If I spent 10 minutes each hour, I'd get in trouble with my boss. I probably could get away with 30 seconds, but 10 minutes? You've got to be kidding me.

"Prolonged sitting at work can tire you out, making you zone out as 5 p.m. approaches, Comana says. "But if you take a brisk, 15-minute walk in the afternoon, you'll be far more productive in your last two hours." - Again, I get 30 minutes for lunch and that's it. If I did this I would get in trouble.

Now I certainly can do a few of the other things and I will make an active effort to do so. But I wonder who these people are that think up some of these. I've seen things like this in other articles. Those of us in the real world can't do some of these things.