Desk job + long commute to work = fat kitten

damccoll · January 2012

Does anyone have any ideas, or exercises for me. I have a desk job and a 45 minute commute to work and home each day. Besides going for a walk on my lunch and after supper...does anyone have any other exercises I could do? THanks!

horror_hamster · January 2012

chair dips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKjcgfu44sI
desk push-ups:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eC_9Wqj4ojc
squats
calf raises (i do these when waiting for the printer to warm up or copier to spit out my copies)

and then the usual: take the stairs whenever possible.

auticus · January 2012

Part of the reason for my former obesity was that I too work in a cube. Really what worked for me:

1) watch waht you eat. Office jobs are killer. Between the donuts and everything else people bring in... keep your calories watched at all times.

2) drink plenty of water.

3) If you can, go for a 10-15 minute walk once a day.

4) Get yourself outside or to a gym after work and do at least 30 minutes a day of some strenuous activity.

5) Don't take an elevator

bethany1031 · January 2012

I had to laugh when I read the title of your post because I thought "are they looking in my window???" I'm in the exact same boat - so I can't wait to hear some of the suggestions!

eeeekie · January 2012

small dumbbell set for at your desk...

My stepdad has bike peddles that you could put under your desk. That would be a good way of getting in some cardio at your desk

If you have enough room...
Jumping Jacks
Pushups

MaximalLife · January 2012

Does anyone have any ideas, or exercises for me. I have a desk job and a 45 minute commute to work and home each day. Besides going for a walk on my lunch and after supper...does anyone have any other exercises I could do? THanks!

I used to sneak in a full body workout at work, on the clock doing calisthenics.
I did push-ups here, knee bends there and even sit-ups.

There are always possibilities.

donbet69 · January 2012

Drink a ton of water. Walking to and from the bathroom should burn lots of calories.

I am in the same situation. Wake up early in the AM and get a good workout in before you start your day. That will keep your metabolism working all day.

jbahrami · January 2012

I'm in the same boat! I try to work out at home in the morning, but only manage about 15 minutes before scrambling to get ready for work. I'm anxious to hear suggestions!

amaried621 · January 2012

I am in the same boat as you. I drive 45-50 minutes to work every day and I sit at a desk all day. Are you at a job where you would be allowed to sit on those giant exercise balls? That helps to strengthen your core. Running is great exercise, using an elliptical, etc. If you don't have much time they say that doing weights is better than cardio because you burn more calories lifting weights vs. cardio. Hope that helps!

ruby_red_rose · January 2012

I am not sure how useful under desk bikes are, but may be worth a try. You can look them up on amazon.com

becoming_a_new_me · January 2012

Does anyone have any ideas, or exercises for me. I have a desk job and a 45 minute commute to work and home each day. Besides going for a walk on my lunch and after supper...does anyone have any other exercises I could do? THanks!

I too work a desk job...try to get your boss to get you a standing desk or a kangaroo (it is a platform that allows you to raise your monitor and keyboard). Standing will help burn more calories than sitting, and prevents the "secretary spread"

sheepysaccount · January 2012

bump for future reference

fimary · January 2012

I know how hard it is, i work in front of a computer all day, have to drive kids to school as would not make it to work in time if did walk
my lunch break i use to pick up the kids from school and take them home then working till 5, then feed kids, homework, clubs, make packed lunches etc.. (all the boring things) knackered so hard to fit exercise in.

demery12371 · January 2012

Another suggestion if your shy about doing things in your office.... Pratice squeezing your stomach muscles in and then relaxing them. It is a mini abs workout and no one can tell your doing it. Also getting up once and hour and walk around your floor.

HolsDoinIt · January 2012

i have some under the desk pedals..love them..theyre not as good as the real bike but they work out pretty well..i too work behind a desk for 12 hours..

carlye14 · January 2012

Hello! I also have about an hour long commute to and from work, and I sit at a desk all day. My only duty is to answer the phones (and calls are SCARCE), so I always walk around the lobby every 15 minutes or so. I also sit up straight and keep my abs tight. I, too, do calf raises and that seems to be a good way to sneak in some exercise. Good luck!

agthorn · January 2012

I have a desk job and the same commute. I typically do about 15 minutes of calisthenics/body weight exercises a couple mornings a week, and then a yoga class, weight lifting, and/or a run after work. Same thing on the weekends. A desk job doesn't have to doom you to a lifetime of fat arseness.

MeghanAM · January 2012

I've been sneaking in short workouts at lunchtime in my office, trying to do little things to move around, like getting up and walking to talk to coworkers across the office instead of calling them. The links that were posted for desk-based exercise look good! And if I can find an under-desk-pedaling thing I will totally buy it.

kristilovescake · January 2012

I have a (mostly) desk job + 45-60 minute commute each way, so I go to the gym immediately before or after work (stop by on my way, no going home first!) and try to get in a lunchtime walk.

You have to make exercise a priority and schedule it into your day, or you'll keep putting it off. Try some short 20-minute exercises before/after work until you make it a routine. Exercise videos are great for doing at home, and some, like 30 Day Shred, are full-body workouts in only 20 minutes and have great results if you keep at it.

sara_j_barnard · January 2012

With limited time, the variable you have the most control over is your intake. You can add a bit more calorie burning with the great suggestions people have posted here. But in my opinion, it's of the utmost importance that you either watch your calories or your carbs like a hawk. At least, that's been my experience; I'm in the same situation.