Stiff in the wrong places

[Sparky]

I have been chained to this desk for almost thirdly years, wadding through useless bureaucratic minutia day after day and I have the body shape to prove it. I’m fat and stiff in all the wrong places. I have at least made it to the point where I have a private office, so I can close the door from time to time and do a little stretching. I can’t do that for long or ambushes people come knocking on my door to see if I’ve past away and whether they need to update their resume. I sure that there are other people out there trapped in the same situation. What do you guys do to fight the ill effects of a desk job?

 

[JimG.]

I have been chained to this desk for almost thirdly years, wadding through useless bureaucratic minutia day after day and I have the body shape to prove it. I’m fat and stiff in all the wrong places. I have at least made it to the point where I have a private office, so I can close the door from time to time and do a little stretching. I can’t do that for long or ambushes people come knocking on my door to see if I’ve past away and whether they need to update their resume. I sure that there are other people out there trapped in the same situation. What do you guys do to fight the ill effects of a desk job?

I refuse to sit at my desk for more than 1/2 hour without moving. 10 minutes of management by walking around does the trick for me.

Being stiff in the wrong places is an issue, but not as much as not being stiff in the right places.

 

[Grassi21]

I tale a lot of walks also. I drink at least three liters of water a day. This results in at least one trip to the men's room per hour. I also stretch/do some yoga at my desk. I work in a cubicle and have no problem doing it in the open.

At times (actually I'm doing it right now) I simply stand at my desk and work. It helps if you prop your keyboard up so you don't have to bend over.

 

[ctenidae]

I get off the T a stop early, take the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator when I can, that sort of thing. I gained about 20 pounds when I quit working reail and got a "real" job.

 

[YardSaleDad]

I get up each day at 5:45 and go hiking for 30 minutes, do crunches, leg lifts and pushups before getting the kids up for school, getting ready to go to work....I am NOT a morning person, but it is amazing how quickly I adapted to this schedule once I started it. My neighbor will join me a few days a week, and we have a chance to socialize too.

I also follow the advice of others here. Take the stairs, walk the last 8 blocks to the office, walk to stores, work standing up.

 

[andyzee]

Since I quit smoking 11 months ago, I started gaining weight. As a result I started getting up at 5:30 and going to the gym. Since the weather has gotten nicer, I've substituted the gym with a bike ride in the morning.

 

[jack97]

I’m not a morning person either but I adapted to my kid, wife and dog’s schedule. I wake up at 5:30 am, stairmaster for 30 minutes (see my other thread) and I take the dog out for a 30 to 60 minute walk. Longer walks during the summer sometimes my daughter comes along, in winter and fall its shorter walks so that I can drive her to school. I get to spend time with her in case I have to work late or she needs extra time with the school work.

The biggest calorie burner is the stairmaster, I ve been on variations of this schedule for about five years. I going to max out on the thing, difficulty ranges from 1 to 20, I’m on 18, got to figure out something new, maybe do it with ankle weights. The important thing for me is to have short terms goals, it keeps me motivated.

 

[Ski Diva]

All of these are good suggestions, but might I also recommend a massage? Be sure to go to someone who's a state or nationally certified massage therapist. Massage can increase circulation to bring blood (and hence, oxygen) to your muscles, help carry away toxins, and improve muscle tone.

I know these things because I'm a (nationally certified, of course) massage therapist.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I know these things because I'm a (nationally certified, of course) massage therapist.

WOW.....your an avid skier and a certified massage therapist. Your husband gets my vote for worlds luckiest man.

 

[Ski Diva]

WOW.....your an avid skier and a certified massage therapist. Your husband gets my vote for worlds luckiest man.

He'd better agree, if he knows what's good for him!!

 

[Sky]

AZ...congrats on quitting cigs. Continued success.

As for exercise...I'm fortunate to be able to play hoops @ lunch almost every day. I work with a Rugby nut. Sometimes he takes me out for a drag.

I used to hit the gym @ lunch (when we weren't running or hooping...it was just a few free weights and a "Universal" system. Now the place is updated and has some terrific equipment...and the crowds to prove it.

I take the stairs @ work. I go down two-at-a-time to get my "negatives" in.

Having a private office should allow you the opportunity to do some lunges...maybe even pushups. Start with just a few of "whatever" and do them whenever you get back from the mens room. Drinking lots of fluids (water) will "force" you to take frequent (hourly) breaks.

Make it so. *smirk*