11hr per day desk job is killing me
distactedlyme
Posts: 12 Member
Hi,
I'm looking to make supportive friends who understand the difficulties of desk based jobs, long hours and a distinct lack of eating routine.
I've gained around 3st in a year in this job and feel as though it's slowly killing me.
Please, please, please don't tell me to change my job. If it were possible, I would
I look forward to making some great friends who can support and who I can return the favour!
I'm looking to make supportive friends who understand the difficulties of desk based jobs, long hours and a distinct lack of eating routine.
I've gained around 3st in a year in this job and feel as though it's slowly killing me.
Please, please, please don't tell me to change my job. If it were possible, I would
I look forward to making some great friends who can support and who I can return the favour!
0
Replies
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I totally understand what you're saying. I work a minimum of 10 hours a day at a desk job. And I can't even go walk around really because I'm at a manufacturing facility in the middle of a corn field. So no where to walk to....
I've been trying to get better about planning out my meals and snacks so that I can get on a routine. And I am working in whatever extra movement I can through out the day.
You can add me if you want!0 -
I sit at a desk up to 10 hours daily...i put in a lot of ot. I go to the gym at least 6 times weekly...before i go to work.0
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I also work a desk job. I finally put my foot down and decided that walks around the block were imperative to my well-being, so I do that at least once, and sometimes several times per day. I keep healthy snacks in my drawer and prepare healthy meals to bring to work. I also keep ankle weights under my desk and strap them on and just move my legs around, or put them around my wrists and move my arms around. My coworkers are used to my weirdness by now.0
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Thanks for the tips!0
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go to the gym and walk on your breaks, eat at a deficit. log everything and hold yourself accountable0
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I schedule myself to take breaks, if I don't schedule them I'll work right through them. I set a reminder to walk and go walk the parking lot a couple times a day. You have to get over feeling silly the first few times but then you realize how happy it makes you feel and forget about the silly part.0
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I also have a desk job. I'm at work by 5:15 and usually don't get off until 3:30. I am normally being pulled in 20 different directions so it can be hard to eat on a schedule. I was still able to lose about 35 pounds by just watching my calories. It is 100% possible to lose weight with a desk job and little to no exercise. Don't let that hold you back!
Once I hit a "normal" BMI, losing weight was a little harder so I started throwing in exercise. I got a fitbit and worked toward 10,000 steps a day. Anytime I have down time (waiting for computer to load, conference call, ect) I pace around my desk. I go to the farthest bathroom from my desk (in my small building it's only an extra 150 steps but it all adds up). I park further away in the parking lot and go the long way around my building on the way out. If I can get away and it's a nice day, I'll try to go for a 5-10 minute walk (doesn't happen often). I walk circles in my kitchen while I'm cooking or just circles in my living room if I have a few extra minutes. I also lift weights for 45 minutes 3x a week at home. All these little things don't make much of a difference on their own but all together it helped me lose those last 5-10 pounds and also allows me to maintain my weight and have cake every night.
Again, you can lose weight just fine without exercise but the more you move, the more you can eat! You can do this!!!0 -
Like @jodibelle I work at a manufacturing plant in a cornfield (ok, there are beans this year... crop rotations and such). I could find a reason to walk around the plant more often (and I should). The hours are not quite as bad, but I'm also working on a graduate degree. So between those 2 things, I average about 60-70 hours per week sitting.
The two things I can suggest: IF you have any free time on any days (weekends or whenever) that you can get outside and be active, do it. I take advantage of the limited free time I have during daylight hours and hike when I can. Unfortunately, I don't always even get a hike in every fortnight.
I do get to the gym 2-3 times per week, though. Since I live in a rural area, I drive about 50 miles round trip to be able to visit a 24 hour gym (key card access) whenever it fits in my schedule. Sunday morning, I arrived at the gym around 2:40am because that's when I had time to go. Last night, I got to the gym around 8:15pm. Tomorrow night, it will probably be closer to 9pm.
So the advice I have is to maximize available daylight hours first, and then to find a 24 hour gym next.0 -
I'm in accounting and sit at my desk 10hrs a day. I purchased a fitbit last week and I'm amazed at how much it's motived me to get moving. The goal is to walk 10,000 step in a day, which is roughly 5 miles. The first day I wore it, I walked what I would normally walk and it was just under 2,000 steps... WOW. So then I started finding little ways to walk more. For example, when I print out invoices, I print one at a time and walk to the printer to get them separately. For me, that's approximately 30 steps per trip. Previously, it was my secretary's job to get the mail, but now, I walk out the the mailbox to get it everyday. I also get up and walk at least 200 steps every hour, on the hour.
Eating well is obviously paramount, as well. I pack my lunch everyday (weighed and logged into MFP) and make sure there is NO WAY to access any other foods. I struggle with self control, so that's a big deal for me.
Good luck, from one desk jockey to another!0 -
Yep. I definitely know the feeling of working a desk job. It may pay well (depending on what you do), but it can also prevent you from getting exercise and proper eating in. I find myself often skipping breakfast just because I have no time to make anything. I've gotten into the habit of eating Think Thin protein bars and it's been helping me not only get something in my stomach in the morning, but also stay within my calorie count so I'm not going for the donuts or bagels at the office. Lol0
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I work at a desk just and I'm unable to walk around during work hours. I've started choosing healthier options for meals. My problem is working out, once I get home I just want to relax, which is crazy because all I have been doing is sitting all day. I have reached out to some people so they will hold me accountable in the afternoon.0
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Have you tried those mini exercise bike you place under your desk? They are pretty cool.
My legs don't get numb anymore!0 -
I was doing this trying to get ahead. Get in early stay late. Diet was terrible and had bad habits - always had donuts, bagels, cookies when they were brought in and I got in a habit of having a diet coke and candy in the afternoon just about every day.
I just made my health a priority and made sure I got my work out in every morning. Now I get in around 9-930 instead of 730-8. Kicked the snacking habits or made better choices on snacks.0 -
I am in the same boat. Feel free to add me as a friend. I am also looking for support while being at a desk for most of the day!0
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Wookinpanub wrote: »I was doing this trying to get ahead. Get in early stay late. Diet was terrible and had bad habits - always had donuts, bagels, cookies when they were brought in and I got in a habit of having a diet coke and candy in the afternoon just about every day.
I just made my health a priority and made sure I got my work out in every morning. Now I get in around 9-930 instead of 730-8. Kicked the snacking habits or made better choices on snacks.
This.
I tried working long hours. I think I lasted about 2 weeks before I burned out.
I'd rather shoot myself than work a job that constantly demanded that amount of work every week. My life is worth more to me than a job.
Also, if my current boss asked me to work like that on a regular basis, I'd tell him to eat a buffet of dicks. Again, my life is worth more than any job.
I get the whole "I can't change jobs, I'm stuck where I am mentality, or whatever reason people come up with to justify the reason why they torture themselves, but let me ask you this:
If you were hit by a bus tomorrow and killed, would you die happy with how your life is?0 -
Get a stand up desk.
Walk for an hour before work or after work.
Bring lunch in and don't eat the office cakes and biscuits.
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I've put myself on a sit-ups and squats challenge, which burns approximately 80 calories per day and builds muscle. It takes barely any time at all (I usually do them before I get ready for work/school or right before bed). It's a really simple way to get in some solid physical activity and the apps I use are motivating because they keep stats on what I've done so far. Any physical activity is better than none, so that might be one thing to try. The apps are runtastic sit-ups and runtastic squats.0
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Desk job here...
- i make sure i get up and just walk around for at least 5 minutes every hour
- if i need to talk to a colleague or something, I get up and go to there office or cubicle instead of using the phone intercom or email.
- i work on the 3rd floor...i always take the stairs
- i use the break-room and bathroom on the 1st floor most of the time...more stairs.
- i park in one of the furthest spot from my building
- i brown bag it pretty much always so that I'm in full command of my nutrition
- i bring my own snacks
- i either get my ride in early in the morning (like 4:45 AM) or I use my lunch break to ride.
- i go to the gym 2x weekly after work to lift and then again on Saturday. I usually do a longish ride on Sunday
- when i get home from work there's always stuff to be done...i have a 3 y.o. and a 5 y.o. so there's that...i'm also the primary cook and general fixer of things around the house and i'm primarily responsible for the yard...so i'm pretty much on my feet doing something for a few hours when i get home.
- i watch very little t.v....maybe 1/2 hour per night while the wife and i have dinner.
- we are active as a family and enjoy going to the zoo and walking around for a few hours as opposed to say, staying home and watching a movie...a nice recreational bike ride to the park to play is more up our alley than sitting around the house playing video games....we'd rather go kick the soccer ball around or play catch than watch sports on t.v....etc, etc, etc
- our primary grocery store is about 1 mile from the house...we like going as a family and walking...we all get in a couple miles, including the dog.0 -
Hello to all of you. First of all I'm a 52 yr old male, I'm 5'8" and I'm about 25lbs more than I want to weigh. I, like many of you, sit behind a desk punching keys all day long for any where from 8-10 hours. I had a "moment" two weeks ago where I could barley get into my fat jeans (yes I'm a guy and I admit to having "fat" jeans lol). I mean I really was mad at myself for getting this way. So the next day I went and joined a "box". I started CrossFit last week. I am cutting back on my portion size (my main problem), and cutting back on sugar, which I've noticed I've become a sugar addict. So I'm getting up at 4:15 and hitting a 5am CrossFit class then going to work. I'm hoping for some inches being dropped here in the next couple of weeks.0
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I work a desk job as well and purchased a little exercise peddler to go under my desk! It's like an exercise bike, but just the peddles and it fits perfectly under my desk. I'm only 5'4 though. I like it because it gets me a little active during the day and helps when I start feeling restless.
Wal-Mart - exercise peddler 0 -
I work overnight front desk at a hotel. There are times I'll pace the hallway or lobby just to get some activity in.0
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Distractedlyme - I'm a 911 dispatcher - I totally get it! I'm literally tethered to a desk, by a headset, for 12 hours a day, at least four days a week (we have a lot of turnover so there's plenty of OT to go around)! Friend request sent!0
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If you ride a bike, perhaps you could take your bike with you and go for a ride on your breaks?0
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I also work a desk job. When I go to the wc, I take the long way round, and sometimes circle past to make the walk longer.
I get out of the office and go for coffee or a walk on my 15 minute break.
I eat lunch at my desk, and use my lunch hour to take a walk.
Down 70+ pounds in a year.0 -
I probably wouldn't have been all that thrilled with my life if I'd died while I was learning to program. Now that doing so enabled me to retire in my 40s, damn straight I'd die happy with how my life is.chivalryder wrote: »Wookinpanub wrote: »I was doing this trying to get ahead. Get in early stay late. Diet was terrible and had bad habits - always had donuts, bagels, cookies when they were brought in and I got in a habit of having a diet coke and candy in the afternoon just about every day.
I just made my health a priority and made sure I got my work out in every morning. Now I get in around 9-930 instead of 730-8. Kicked the snacking habits or made better choices on snacks.
This.
I tried working long hours. I think I lasted about 2 weeks before I burned out.
I'd rather shoot myself than work a job that constantly demanded that amount of work every week. My life is worth more to me than a job.
Also, if my current boss asked me to work like that on a regular basis, I'd tell him to eat a buffet of dicks. Again, my life is worth more than any job.
I get the whole "I can't change jobs, I'm stuck where I am mentality, or whatever reason people come up with to justify the reason why they torture themselves, but let me ask you this:
If you were hit by a bus tomorrow and killed, would you die happy with how your life is?
Part of being an adult is recognizing that every day isn't going to be a pony birthday party and that sometimes hard, crappy work leads to better, less crappy work, or to no work at all.
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DeguelloTex wrote: »
I probably wouldn't have been all that thrilled with my life if I'd died while I was learning to program. Now that doing so enabled me to retire in my 40s, damn straight I'd die happy with how my life is.chivalryder wrote: »Wookinpanub wrote: »I was doing this trying to get ahead. Get in early stay late. Diet was terrible and had bad habits - always had donuts, bagels, cookies when they were brought in and I got in a habit of having a diet coke and candy in the afternoon just about every day.
I just made my health a priority and made sure I got my work out in every morning. Now I get in around 9-930 instead of 730-8. Kicked the snacking habits or made better choices on snacks.
This.
I tried working long hours. I think I lasted about 2 weeks before I burned out.
I'd rather shoot myself than work a job that constantly demanded that amount of work every week. My life is worth more to me than a job.
Also, if my current boss asked me to work like that on a regular basis, I'd tell him to eat a buffet of dicks. Again, my life is worth more than any job.
I get the whole "I can't change jobs, I'm stuck where I am mentality, or whatever reason people come up with to justify the reason why they torture themselves, but let me ask you this:
If you were hit by a bus tomorrow and killed, would you die happy with how your life is?
Part of being an adult is recognizing that every day isn't going to be a pony birthday party and that sometimes hard, crappy work leads to better, less crappy work, or to no work at all.
Sometimes hard, crappy work leads to bad knees, a sore back, and carpal tunnel while you spend your later years penniless, without a retirement plan, and without decent healthcare.
Just sayin0 -
I work long hours at a desk job.
I've worked long hours, in other professions, before.
There is no difference between one or the other ... its all CICO. Surplus you gain, deficit you lose ...
It's no more challenging to pack a nutritious and sensible lunch to take to work if your a CEO or a janitor. Or if you work part time or overtime.
Same goes for exercise. You either choose to make time for it, or you don't. Something as simple as having to walk an extra 100 yards by parking in the back of the lot can have a significant impact, especially if your not getting any other exercise.
Stop making excuses, and start making changes ... and you will see results.0 -
Learning to deal with my job and unpredictable (and often long) schedule was a huge part of what I had to figure out to lose weight, and I used my job as an excuse when I was gaining weight too (and waited until I had a relatively down period to get started). But I also understood that it wasn't the job, but me and my issues dealing with the job, because I had plenty of co-workers and friends in identical jobs who prioritized staying in shape and getting in exercise and did.
That's meant to be encouragement, as I know it can be hard, and job stuff is still what I struggle with the most. I've tried to see times I got derailed due to work stuff while losing as learning experiences--for example, early on after I got a good start during a down period I had a couple of weeks where I was at the office and busy 8-11 or so every day and all weekend. I didn't handle the getting in exercise part well (now I think I'd do better), but I decided in advance I'd just give myself a break and eat well. Early on I didn't realize how late I'd end up there and got hungry and started eating all kinds of off-plan stuff at the office and was tempted to just grab a frozen pizza or some ice cream when I got home, but I made an omelet instead and picked up yogurt and stuff to have at the office and started bringing dinner with me. After that period, despite no exercise, I'd stuck to my calories and had a really good loss. More important, I learned that being unable to be perfect wasn't an excuse or reason to give up and decide I'd have to wait for a better time, as I'd repeatedly done the year before, when I couldn't seem to get going for any length of time.0 -
12-hr desk job for me, plus commute. In addition half of my work shifts are graveyard shifts, which naturally lend themselves to consuming copious amounts of soda or snacks just to stay awake.
Or at least used to. Cleaned up my diet with the help of MFP, dropped 50 pounds of fat before adding 15+ pounds of muscle (likely more than that). It can be done.0 -
Sometimes it does. Doesn't change the point that deciding whether your life could be judged "happy" based on a snapshot of time in what appears to be a relatively early-career position is a very good metric. I mean, yeah, "You gotta live like you're on vacation" makes a good song lyric, but it's not exactly sage personal or financial advice.DeguelloTex wrote: »
I probably wouldn't have been all that thrilled with my life if I'd died while I was learning to program. Now that doing so enabled me to retire in my 40s, damn straight I'd die happy with how my life is.chivalryder wrote: »Wookinpanub wrote: »I was doing this trying to get ahead. Get in early stay late. Diet was terrible and had bad habits - always had donuts, bagels, cookies when they were brought in and I got in a habit of having a diet coke and candy in the afternoon just about every day.
I just made my health a priority and made sure I got my work out in every morning. Now I get in around 9-930 instead of 730-8. Kicked the snacking habits or made better choices on snacks.
This.
I tried working long hours. I think I lasted about 2 weeks before I burned out.
I'd rather shoot myself than work a job that constantly demanded that amount of work every week. My life is worth more to me than a job.
Also, if my current boss asked me to work like that on a regular basis, I'd tell him to eat a buffet of dicks. Again, my life is worth more than any job.
I get the whole "I can't change jobs, I'm stuck where I am mentality, or whatever reason people come up with to justify the reason why they torture themselves, but let me ask you this:
If you were hit by a bus tomorrow and killed, would you die happy with how your life is?
Part of being an adult is recognizing that every day isn't going to be a pony birthday party and that sometimes hard, crappy work leads to better, less crappy work, or to no work at all.
Sometimes hard, crappy work leads to bad knees, a sore back, and carpal tunnel while you spend your later years penniless, without a retirement plan, and without decent healthcare.
Just sayin
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This discussion has been closed.
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