All my Office Ladies!... and Gentlemen!

Do you get coffee breaks and a lunch hour? I would take advantage of those as much as possible by going for a brisk walk. If you eat quickly it should leave you some time. Or find some stairs to go up and down a few times.

I have an office job as well but I have a little more freedom since I'm not at the front and I'm the manager, so I can eat at my desk and work out on my lunch hour if I want (and I let my staff do the same), but I started in a similar situation to you, where I was expected to be there, butt in chair at all times except bathroom breaks. I always went for a walk at lunch.

The other option is to get up earlier and workout to give you energy throughout the day, or workout right after work to lift your energy levels back up after a draining day.

Hello there!

I am a front desk receptionist where I work and my boss makes it VERY clear that my job is to sit at my desk. And to get up and move as little as possible.

So I can't exactly get up and use my desk for pushups (although I use the sink in the bathroom when I can!) or go in a room to do a quick energy booster when no one's looking, etc.

BUT, I am losing so much energy, and getting so tired just sitting here that by the time I get home, I'm exhausted, and I'm too tired in the morning to wake up!

How can I keep my energy level up during the day so that I can be more motivated to work out while just sitting at my desk? I feel so doomed sometimes! But I know there's gotta be a way.

Any suggestions?

Ever thought of getting an under the desk bike? Here's an example

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10757928&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=34-130869178-2

I'm not saying you should get this one...it was literally just the first one that showed up after I google searched it to show you an option. You can bike all darn day if you like, and odds are, no one could ever tell!

Same thought, but you're a tad faster, Bitten! :laugh:

I work at a desk all day as well and understand being tired/burnt out after work. I just don't give myself an option, I bring my gym clothes and dinner with me to work and I just go. At first it was tiring but now I look forward to it. You could wake up early and workout before if you are a morning person. Also I walk on my lunch break, it helps to wake you up a little!

I know in some areas jobs are not easy to come by...but I think it sounds more like you need a new job. I work in an office where I am seated for at least six or seven hours (often closer to eight hours) of my 8-5 shift. I do get an hour lunch break. But I am up/down a lot (even within a relatively confined space that helps) and so busy that I do not have time to feel bored, sleepy, etc.

I've been in jobs in the past where I felt miserably sluggish and awful...those jobs were a bad fit. In my opinion, sedentary jobs do not have to be boring and can actually be quite mentally stimulating.

Ever thought of getting an under the desk bike? Here's an example

http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=10757928&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=34-130869178-2

I'm not saying you should get this one...it was literally just the first one that showed up after I google searched it to show you an option. You can bike all darn day if you like, and odds are, no one could ever tell!

I was going to suggest the same thing - a pedal exerciser. They are inexpensive on Amazon - less than $25.

Also, what about keeping some light weights in your desk drawer for when you have breaks? You can use them to take a walk around the block or whatever.

You can google "office yoga" to find some stretching moves that you can do at your desk as well. You can probably also check out "desk workouts" as well - there might be some other ideas.

Are you at least allowed to stand at your desk? If you can, then some simple pacing every 30 minutes or so might help keep your energy levels up.

It's hard being stuck at a desk all day (I'm in a cube farm, I can relate!) and running out to find a new job isn't necessarily a practical solution, so you have to get very creative.

I work in an office and while we are not as chained to our desks as it sounds like you are, there is little opportunity to move other than to the restroom and back.

A lot of people in my building take their two 15 minute breaks and part of their lunch break to walk around the parking lot. Maybe that would be an option for you? Or if there is a stairwell in your building where you could sneak out and run up and down a few flights when you have a few minutes away from your desk?