Calling all desk-job MFP'ers! Help me lose while I work!

innerfashionista
innerfashionista Posts: 451 Member
edited September 23 in Fitness and Exercise
Help!

I'm literally stuck at my desk for 8 hours a day, attached via my headset to take calls. I can't stand while I take calls because I have to use the computer. I walk on my breaks, and thankfully I'm a long way from the bathroom. I'm working my way up to taking 3 flights of stairs. I was going to get a bike machine to keep under my desk and pedal, but it won't fit!

I'm a natural fidgeter, so I constantly move while I'm sitting, but I'm curious to know how what you all do when you get antsy or to help burn calories when you're stuck behind a desk.
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Replies

  • thechurchlady
    thechurchlady Posts: 52
    I'm a desk-jobber myself, and haven't found a darn thing to do at my desk to help lose calories...I'll be anxious to see if there's somebody out there that has!
  • SMarie10
    SMarie10 Posts: 956 Member
    I'm in your same situation. I do take the stairs on the way to get coffee, but also stand at my desk - stretching arms, legs, hamstrings at least every hour. I've thought about doing lunges on the way to the bathroom but would be mocked by my coworkers. I have pushed my chair back and done a squat and held it there while working. I'm in cubical city, so no one saw me doing that and it was kind of fun...
    Good luck.
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
    I fidget a lot too. I also slouch in my seat and do mini crunches.-- just enough to feel the ab muscle work. My desk is pretty high, so I do leg lifts and pretend I'm riding a bike. When I'm alone, I do some arm exercises by using the arms of my chair to raise & lower myself (but that must look really weird if anyone saw me!)
  • sonjamgolden
    sonjamgolden Posts: 1
    I don't know of any type of cardio, but how bout something like ankle weights? Lean muscle takes up less room than fat and weight lifting is a must do, to get that lean look, just an idea.
  • elid
    elid Posts: 209 Member
    Ooh this sounds familiar... I set Stretchware for every 90 minutes; it nags me to get up and take a brief walk and do some stretches. You could try it, or another similar stretching program.

    http://www.stretchware.com/
  • Jizes318
    Jizes318 Posts: 409 Member
    I do chair squats but since you cant stand up .. hmmm I think I saw something on You Tube that had office exercises.
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    I have an active job so I can't relate, but maybe squeeze your abs in and sit straight? Push your shoulder blades back and together (that's what my pt had me do to strengthen my back)? Kegels? lol, that's all I got...
  • Cherrystargirl
    Cherrystargirl Posts: 62
    What about replacing your office chair with a gym ball? I think that may help.
  • scagneti
    scagneti Posts: 707 Member
    Oh yeah, kegels & butt clenching! My lady business gets quite a workout every day for those 8 hours!
  • JeanK56
    JeanK56 Posts: 76
    I don't have one, but I have read that those large execise balls that you can sit on are good. The work the core because it takes a bit of coordination to balance yourself.
  • cmyrick75
    cmyrick75 Posts: 187 Member
    I, too, am a desk jobber! I find that using my waist to swivel my chair back and forth works my middle a little bit. I also got a mini bicycle thing. (it's basically just the pedals) that I am hoping will fit under the desk and I plan on trying that out!

    I use the shredder farthest from my desk so I have to walk, I also set my printer to one in the back room so I have to get up each and every time I print (due to privacy laws, we can't leave stuff on the printer so I HAVE to get up)

    A bunch of the ladies I work with are all on a quest to lose weight so they don't think I am nuts when I am scurrying back and forth.
  • dino1147
    dino1147 Posts: 178 Member
    I set on my stability ball first thing in the morning until lunch time, the trick is to sit straight up and use your core and legs to balance, don't lean on your hands while typing or against your desk with your stomach.
  • Clew
    Clew Posts: 910 Member
    Ha ha, I was going to suggest kegels and butt clenches too :laugh: I also like bellydancing ad you can do a lot of abdominal exercises at your desk.
  • Ambrogio1
    Ambrogio1 Posts: 518 Member
    Use to work at a helpdesk. Alot of us were into working out an dused to use the workout ball on the weekends when noone was around and just bounce all day, do situps and get all crazy at work. It was quite fun. Hand Grippers too
  • innerfashionista
    innerfashionista Posts: 451 Member
    Fantastic suggestions! I'll keep the ankle weights and ab crunche in mind. hehehe kegels hehehe

    If I brought a ball to work, my coworkers would die of laugher (which I don't care about) but our ergonomics expert would have a fit, considering I have to have special equipment because 1) I'm way short, 2) I have bifocals, so I can't sit too low, and 3) I have carpel tunnel. She would literally come up here and scold me in front of everyone. It'd be funny though.
  • abyt42
    abyt42 Posts: 1,358 Member
    My work station is slightly above waist height, so I stand all day... and bob, and wiggle..... and sometimes wander...
  • omgsayalathieo
    omgsayalathieo Posts: 103
    I use this video..but it depends on how much space you have.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCPcRcJmqc
  • Alysgrma
    Alysgrma Posts: 365 Member
    I too sit at my desk for over 8hrs. I also use the computer a lot it is my main tool. That being said I stand to take the calls and I pull my tummy in and bend over and use the key board, I do leg lifts under my desk, again pull your tummy in and just raise your legs. I also balance phone books..you know the huge ones on top of my feet and then do the leg lifts. I sit and lean from side to side, I also take the phone books or I also use reams of paper and hold it in both my hands raise it above my head then lower it behind my head. You may think it sounds dumb but since I have started doing that I am losing the "bat wings". I also will stand and do wall pushups, when I walk down the hall I hit every wall possible.
    When I first doing all this I couldn't hardly do any of them....now I am trying to find ways to make it harder on me. I also will stand and do squats....I do squats as I type on the keyboard...it can be done you just have to practice and work at it.
    For me I have found if I really want to do something...I will find a way to do it......

    Good Luck
  • CanuckLove
    CanuckLove Posts: 673 Member
    OMG we have the same job and I often find myself wondering the same thing. I had weights and was doing arm curls for a while but I like sonjamgolden's idea about ankle weights!!!
  • atomiclauren
    atomiclauren Posts: 689 Member
    Any kind of stretching would help - arms above head, to the side, legs up under the desk, knees up if you can push away from your desk a little bit, and so on. There are some yoga poses that could be modified for desk sitting, too.

    I am intrigued by the stability ball, though!
  • superwmn
    superwmn Posts: 936
    Squeeze your knees together (inner thigh burn). Squeeze your bum. Tighten/suck in your stomach.

    I rotate all these 'moves' through out the day. Why not? I'm just sitting here :)

    Charmagne
  • ouryear002
    ouryear002 Posts: 325 Member
    Anyone out there using one of the under desk pedal thingies? I'm wondering if it really does anything or just helps you feel virtuous?
  • smileyface45
    smileyface45 Posts: 146 Member
    what type of ab exercise???
  • innerfashionista
    innerfashionista Posts: 451 Member
    I didn't even think about bringing hand weights to work! Adding that to my list of things to get at the Wal-Mart tonight. I have been known to dance my way to the bathroom, but only when no one's around. I work in a cube farm where most people spend their time on the phone so whatever I do it has to be quiet and not draw attention to myself. If I could stand, I would. I LOVE the idea of swiveling at my desk, the weights....I wish I didn't have the bulky foot rest or I'd pedal at my desk almost all day. I stretch all the time, so I guess I don't really consider that "exercising." I will definitely watch the video at home.

    Keep up the great ideas, everyone! It's reassuring to see I'm not the only one in the same boat!
  • shawnamil12
    shawnamil12 Posts: 12
    you can change out your chair for a stability ball
  • HeatherShrinking
    HeatherShrinking Posts: 776 Member
    Oh yeah, kegels & butt clenching! My lady business gets quite a workout every day for those 8 hours!

    :laugh: I almost fell out of my chair laughing from this one! :laugh:
  • portlandsundevil
    portlandsundevil Posts: 213 Member
    I find that using my waist to swivel my chair back and forth works my middle a little bit.

    Good idea!
  • pgp_protector
    pgp_protector Posts: 207
    What about the Exercise ball?

    ETA:
    http://walking.about.com/cs/fitnesswalking/a/ballchair.htm
    http://www.gearfire.net/10-reasons-to-use-an-exercise-ball-as-your-chair/
  • canoekayak
    canoekayak Posts: 29
    1.) Leg extensions - ( depending on your room under the desk?)
    2.) Put your feet apart and squeeze your legs together and apart - do it as fast as can.
    3.) bring a 45 lbs bench weight to work and put it on your lap for calf raises and Butt squats,( you don't need the weight to do butt squats, just lift your own body weight.
    4.) Take your shoes off and press down on your feet and with your big toe curl it across the floor. - this builds up your arch a portion of your calf muscle.
    5.) Get some bands a and loop them around your legs/ your ankles and try to pull your legs apart and hold then release.
    6.) Bring in some dumb bells and to seated arm curls.
    7.) same dumb bells lift above your head for shoulders.
    8.) In between calls on the computer use a dumb bell - lay your forearm on your leg and left your dumb bell to do forearm work outs.
    9.) you can do triceps with the dumb bell
    Just some thought s off top of my head...
  • barberella
    barberella Posts: 199
    I have a desk job too. I am able to leave though, but primarily at the desk. I am lucky to have a gym where I work so that's what I do at lunch. I have brought ankle weights and wore them and do leg lifts. I also bring my 5 pound steel weight and do bicep curls and tricep dips. I also will swing that weight as I"m trying to tighten up my abs...
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