Stuck behind a desk all day...

randa_behnam

fidgit! i find that when i notice im sitting idle at my desk ill start tapping my feet or shaking my legs under the table, then ill practice good posture and ill keep fidgiting around all day until i get to go home and do all the bits i need to at home.

im starting to wonder if i have a nervous twitch cos of the fidgeting i do but any movement helps.

Oh also use stairs where possible and offer to get the hot drinks in so you can walk away from your desk,

krlaws2

i drink lots of water so i have to go for a walk :embarassed: , (our loo's are down stairs) never ring anybody in the office walk through and ask...

I do this as well. Also, on nice days I take a walk outside around the building. Sometimes co-workers join me.

coleyco30

I second the fitness ball. It engages core muscles, so even if you don't feel more active, you are in fact keeping your muscles busy.

Any chance you could modify your desk so that you could stand while working? I just started using a filing tote under my monitor and keyboard to allow me to stand (photo here: http://shutherupwithchocolate.com/stand/), but I work from home, so I don't have to worry about how "professional" it looks or how "professional" my footwear looks.

I wish! but unfortunately, I'm at the front reception desk and wouldn't be able to do that.. I wish I could though... some of the people in the back offices can do that.

And did I mention that my company is in food production - and we constantly have samples and mispackaged snack foods being brought in and placed 3 feet away from me?

jdub2131

I sit at a desk all day too...I try to drink a surplus of water to make me have to use the restroom more often and then I go to the farthest ladies room which is up 2 flights of stairs...sometimes I run up stairs, sometimes I do a mini-squat up stairs, etc. I then workout after work for about an hour, but hate having to freshen back up if I have any evening plans, so my goal is to start getting up at 5am to work out. We'll see if that works! Jillian Michael's 30 day shred is just a 20 min workout, I think it's possible to at least do that in the morning... Good luck!

randa_behnam

And did I mention that my company is in food production - and we constantly have samples and mispackaged snack foods being brought in and placed 3 feet away from me?

why dont you ask for a portable wall to be added so you dont see the treats? i have a wall blocking my view of all the birthday treats that people constantly bring in. if i cant see it then i dont want it!! or how about re-positioning your computer to block your view?

armywife121110

I find it hard at my office. The parking lot is right out front, my office is right inside the door, the whole bulding is so small and no staires... I dont walk on my lunch break b/c I EAT on my lunch break. I walk every morning and I do a workout every night but the office is hard for me to workout!

coleyco30

And did I mention that my company is in food production - and we constantly have samples and mispackaged snack foods being brought in and placed 3 feet away from me?

why dont you ask for a portable wall to be added so you dont see the treats? i have a wall blocking my view of all the birthday treats that people constantly bring in. if i cant see it then i dont want it!! or how about re-positioning your computer to block your view?

Unfortunately a big part of my job is getting the word out about these products and making sure they're available to everyone coming in and out of the office - so I have to keep an eye on them, making sure they're organized and looking good and not like a bunch of teenaged boys have ransacked the table. I am learning amazing self-control, and usually only call dibs on the 100 calorie snack packs!

skinnyrache

I agree with the recommendations from other posters. Do you have your own office or do you work in a public area? I'm fortunate enough to have my own (teeny-tiny) office, so throughout the day I try to close the door and do some activity. I often will run in place (high-knees), do lunges, tricep dips on the edge of my desk, etc. Anything to get the blood flowing! Even if you work in a public area you can still stand at your desk and do calf raises, stretches, or a few squats before you sit down (go as if you were going to sit down and once your rear lightly touches the chair stand up again).

Desk jobs + long commutes are really tough! I dream of the day I can do something different. Good luck!

skinnyrache

sorry, I just saw your comment that you work at a front desk! Even at a front desk you'll hopefully have moments when people aren't watching and you can get a few exercises in. If all else fails, head outside or to the restroom and sneak in a few jumping jacks

MrOswife

I carry 2lbs weights with me and when I have to go to the restroom I walk the long way the with my weights, and carry them during my lunch when I walk around the building and I work out my arms when I'm on hold on the phone at work.... I also picked up a heart monitor to encourage me to work my arms and walk faster when I'm on break to burn more calories. Good luck!

possummama

simple but effective: squeeze your buns several times an hour while you're sitting at your desk

_Tristan_

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-at-your-desk

LessMe2B

Google isometric exercise, fab for toning:happy:

RiverInTheRoad

Alas, I am stuck behind a desk all day as well. u_u

But I do get to walk for around 40 minutes on my lunch and I can even get a second walk in some days (when I'm feeling sassy) for 20 minutes or so later on in the day (my boss isn't very strict about lunch time and breaks). I also get up a lot to get water, snacks and go to the bathroom (because of all the water). So I'm on my feet a lot more than people expect. :P

RiverInTheRoad

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/exercise-at-your-desk

That's really useful!! *bookmarked*

coleyco30

I've totally been doing leg lifts and stretches at my desk and thanks to whoever gave that little trick of sitting on my feet and trying to move my chair in a circle. That was fun. And many many trips to the copier, fax and water cooler. My productivity may be down, but I consider it a good day!

Huskeryogi

I've been taking 7-10 min walks around the building midmorning and midafternoon and I actually think my productivity has gone up. The exercise refocuses me and I think I accomplish more because of it. My mind doesn't wander at my desk as much as it use to.

cartern1

Depending on how far you live from the office cylcling to / from work is a good one.

I do it when the weather is good and it's great, I live about 3 miles from work. Plus, itt gets the blood pumping before you get in work and gives you the opportunity to forget about work during the cycling home.