Chained to desk

ekr2107
ekr2107 Posts: 23 Member
edited October 2 in Health and Weight Loss
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?

Replies

  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    Check here: http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SKPC_enUS382US382&aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=desk+exercises
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    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
    cdpm Posts: 297 Member
    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
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    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
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    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
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    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
    ekr2107 Posts: 23 Member
    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
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    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.
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