7 EXERCISE SUGGESTIONS FOR COMPUTER ADDICTS
Do you spend most of your time in front of a computer? I do both at work and at home. I become engrossed in what I am doing, and the time is gone. That’s OK if I am forgetting binge, but it’s not if I don’t stop to get my physical activity. The question is – how can you exercise while sitting at a computer, or desk, or watching TV.
I have seen some articles suggesting ways to get exercise at work. They include taking a walk, doing simple stretches standing by your desk, etc. What if you cannot do this at work – your boss objects to you standing up at your computer? I have a couple suggestions – you can at least do some of these at home.
- This is rather easy. Get a fitness ball, either medium or large, fill it to its fullest, then sit on it instead of a chair. You can roll it back and forth or bounce on it. This works on your leg, abdomen, and other muscles as they work to keep your balance. I have yet to be brave enough to try it at work, but I have used one at home. .
- When you go to the restroom as we all do during the day, take the ‘long’ route. Go to another floor using the stairs, or to the building next door. You can even be brave enough to walk around the building and back in. You can walk several flights of stairs up to the restroom.
- Likewise, when you go to a meeting or to lunch, find a route that gives you more walking time. Every step helps.
- Of course, there is still the old trick of parking a couple blocks away to walk to work. Or take a more distant subway or bus stop and walk from there to work.
- Keep hand weights handy at your desk. When you are waiting for a program to come up or finish executing, pick up your weights; do some arm lifts.
- Put weight bands on your ankles and lift your legs up straight from time to time. Hold them straight once in a while.
- Instead of rolling your chair back and forth to the different machines (printer, fax, etc), stand up and walk over to it and back. Just standing up and sitting down is activity.
There are some of my ideas. What type activities can you work into your schedule at work for exercise?
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Stacey Derbinshire
Some stretching of arms, heads, and shoulders while waiting for the loading message
Or when you are playing playstation on a floor, do some sit-ups while waiting for the save game or load time
I used a yoga ball to sit on at work when I was pregnant, it was a god send!
Mommie
http://www.mommieshome.net
One thing I used to do was whenever I went to the bathroom was wall pushups and squats. I would do alternate 15 at a time, doing 30 of each. When you’re drinking 40-80 oz of water in the morning, then again in the afternoon, you work in a lot of squats & wall pushups!
Good ideas! Keep them coming
What should I do with my backache? I have a suspicion it’s connected to my longtime use of computers at work. My backache refers itself as a headache… but I know better. Ooops! Time to take a painkiller… got to go!
@claire
I am not a doctor, so this is just my observations from my own experience. If you have a backache from sitting at the computer, you probably need to adjust your seat or even get a lumbar pillow to use. I have heard that a trip to the chiropractor can do wonders also. Check with your doctor or chiropractor is my suggestion.
I know there are some back exercises that help. One is to lay flat on the floor, raise your legs, either straight or bent, then roll from side to side. Do this several times in the morning.
Great suggestions! I already do 2-4, but have to try the weights.