Chained to desk

ekr2107

Hello all! This is my first post on the MFP forums ^^

I'm a 24 year old female and my job consists largely of sitting at my desk working on translations and proofreading, so I don't get to move around a lot during the day. I do drink a lot of tea, so I get up to refill my hot water or use the restroom, but otherwise, from 9-12 and 1-5, I'm just not moving around that much. I would like to move during my lunch hour, but often have conversation group with coworkers, so we mainly sit and chat.

I engage in vigorous cardio exercise 3-4x a week, but I'm worried that this job is setting me back as far as my weight loss and health are concerned (and no, quitting/switching to another job is not an option at this point). Any wisdom from other people chained to their desks?

TDGee

Check here: http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SKPC_enUS382US382&aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=desk+exercises

taso42_DELETED

FWIW, I also work a sedentary desk job. I have managed to lose weight and get fit via well planned eating, cardio 3x/week, and weight training 3x/week. You can succeed at this without changing your activity level at work.

cdpm

I understand your pain!
I sometimes wish I could be on my feet just so that I'm moving about. I have managed to get myself into a set routine of when i do my workouts, before or after work, as well as planning what I eat, especially for lunch and making sure I don't have any change on hand, else I will be a vending machine regular!
Are the friends you sit with at work also trying to eat well? It is easier when everyone else around you is doing the same as you.

grassette

I had a job like that, only it involved analyzing contracts. It meant sitting in deep concentration without moving for hours on end. That job broke my health. I developed severe back problems due to the loss of tone of core muscles. There is nothing worse than a sitting job.This info graphic gives good information: http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/sitting-kills/

What to do about it? There are ergonomic programs on the web that can interrupt you at your computer and put you through a brief ergonomic workout every 15 minutes. I had to use those. Sit on a ball for half an hour a day. Not all day, because you need proper support ergonomically for sitting. Work while standing. Pace while reading. Develop a set of tricks to keep you up and moving. Use the stairs. Use your breaks for moving.

Try to see if you can't get a group at work to work out. Find an empty room and put on a video. Or hire and bring in a trainer. Join a noon dance class.

And find a way of being physically active after your work day. Don't go home and sit in front of the TV or the computer until bed time.

TavistockToad

i sit at a desk 9 till 5, well actually 8 - 4, but same difference! and it hasnt affected my weight loss.

my activity level is set to sedentary and i work out 3-6 times per week depending how busy i am, for between 30-60 minutes.

jacksonpt

Don't use a desk job as an excuse.

Make better use of your lunch breaks and evenings and eat well and you'll be fine.

I'm a single father with a sedentary desk job and I still manage to be healthy and lose weight.

ekr2107

Thanks to everyone for the input! Your suggestions are very encouraging. I HAVE been able to lose weight and feel better despite my sedentary desk job, I just want to make every day as effective as possible. Now that I'm feeling lighter and better, I also want to move MORE, so sitting at a desk is frustrating.

I work in an office in Japan, so some things like group exercise at lunch simply aren't an option ;_; But nearby there is a 13-story building with a terraced garden along the outside of it that I can climb at lunchtime, so I will try to make it a goal to climb it a few times a week I'm not going to let this job get the better of me!

grassette

If you are living in Japan, you might try using a pedometer, seeing that is where they originated. A pedometer will enable you to monitor how much activity you are getting in a day, and will give you a measurement to shoot for. There are some good articles on the web if you google them.