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Is Work Making You Fat?
Posted by JudithI work from home. I’m connected by Skype, Twitter, and Facebook to a growing network of interesting people and fascinating ideas. Because I’m involved and lovin’ it, I find that I’m sitting in front of my computer screen for long periods of time without a break. Seven days/nights a week.
I’m feeling it. By the lack of circulation in my legs, and the gradual, but insistent, spreading of my … ah, body. Wide load!
What about you? Do you work all day in front of a monitor? Do you sit for hours in a so-so task chair — not quite the Aeron ergonomics model you’ve promised yourself you’ll buy when you make some real money? Do you create WordPress blog posts, Squidoo lenses, Hubpages, or articles daily? How often do you get up and move? If you’re up and moving regularly, you’re on the right track.
If you aren’t doing all you can to protect and enhance yourself physically, you need to get with a healthier program. Walk around your office or work space. (Not to the kitchen!) Stretch your legs, and lift your shoulders. Move your arms to increase circulation, and ease any tension in your neck. Have you been getting stress-related headaches? Walk outside; take in some fresh air. Clear your head.
It’s health-affirming to get up from your desk every 30 minutes or so and move your body. It’s not easy to remember to do this. If you have a timer, set a reminder. Your body will appreciate it. We also need to take two 15-minute walking breaks a day. Turn on a podcast, and move to the music. Check out Leslie Sansone who has some excellent walking material that you might want to add to your library.
Look for other ways to integrate exercise into your routine. I read about a guy who set up his desk over a treadmill. He walked slowly all day while he worked and made phone calls. He quickly lost weight and lowered his blood pressure. While that might be more intense than I’m suggesting, it takes regular physical activity to maintain good health.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, have had surgery, or have any medical concerns before beginning an exercise routine. Stop if you feel any pain.
Have you tried 10-minute yoga yet? I suggest learning one pose at a time. The Triangle pose is a good beginning. The Sun salutation is an energizing way to start the day.
Throughout the day take regular time outs. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes for 5 minutes. Breathe. Let your mind clear.
Weight Lost Tip: Eat breakfast and lunch away from your computer and TV. Eat consciously. As my friend and favorite business coach Katherine Reschke says, “We aren’t conscious if our mind isn’t on the food — chewing, tasting and savoring.” And allowing ourselves to feel full. Stick with it.
More soon.
Judith
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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
Does the Wii count as exercise? I have committed to playing it more often though my 10 year old daughter hammers me at tennis. With the weather finally warming up, I will also start walking again.
Judith,
You are so right, again! I have been taking my dog, Buddy for walks ever since the weather turned. I feel better and better every day. If I don’t do it first thing in the morning, I may never get away from work to do it!
Between you and Katherine, we will all stay on the right track!
Hugs,
Sally
Hi Sally!
Your approach is the best. Getting your walk done early in the morning guarantees your exercise is done. And the walking you do the rest of the day is a bonus. It’s always *iffy* when I don’t walk first thing. Keep it up. As it gets warmer, and you become stronger, we can add a pedometer to track our progress.
Thanks for commenting on the blog! You’re the best.
Judith
Hi Katherine,
Yes, Wii counts. If it’s good for the Queen of England, it’s good for us too. I’m also looking at the Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) games that encourage kids to spend more time in exercise. Look for a post on these here soon.
Hmm. I will need to interview your Sasha to get some background details. Truth.
Judith
Hi Stacey,
I’m glad you found us. Thank you for subscribing.
Judith
You make a great point. I guess I do need to get up every once and a while or continue to watch myself spread over the seat. Thanks!
Phyllis
Judith, thanks for this blog. What a great choice of themes. Awesome
colours.
I was just kidding the other day about creating a webercizer or a
webmill but it sounds like a great idea. Would have to have a pretty
tall desk to use it at a treadmill
I have two little dogs that love to go out for walks. In the past, I just
opened the door and let them roam. They’d be back pretty quickly,
wanting attention. For the past week, I’ve been going out with them
and they are really happy about it. Guess I am, too, since I’ve lost
2 lbs in this time.
Katherine Reschke’s skype room support has been helpful , too.
You’ve all inspired me to be successful at achieving and maintaining
my goal weight. When I was younger, it was an ego thing. Now,
it’s an “I want to live long and healthy” thing.
One thing that I’ve been doing that ensures that I get up and move
every 20 - 30 minutes is to drink lots of water. Now, when I do get
up, I walk around the house before coming back to the computers.
I also have a couple of little weights here. I looked at my flabby
underarms and decided to spend a couple of minutes several times
per day pushing those up and down.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your hope with us.
Karen
Hi Judith:
I googled myself and your site came up. I think I posted something on your site a while back.
I agree, working at home is challenging for weight loss. I find if I don’t get out and go to the Gym or for a walk in the morning, it does not get done.
I am a Lifetime weight watcher member. If you wanted to start a WW tips on here, I would be willing to participate. I have some tips I have learned that I would like to share with work at home buddies.
Beverly
I LOVE Leslie Sansone! I bought her Walking DVDs back when I still had income.
For me, the hardest part is remembering to get up and move around. I’m a “nester.” Once I’m planted, I hate to move, in part because I have everything placed all around me on my bed (my, er, “desk”) and to move myself is to discombobulate everything else! LOL
Guess I’ll have to find that timer I have somewhere. I kind of need it. Sometimes I need to make a pit stop and I don’t quite get there in time. Ah, being a Baby Boomer. Ain’t it great?! As long as I don’t have to wear diapers…
Your site is beautiful : the colors, the content, the ambiance. Nice job!
Deb Gallardo
http://www.debgallardo.com/virtuoso/
Hi Karen,
Congratulations on your weight loss! Whoo woo!!
I agree with you and Sally. Walking your dogs is a great way to factor in early morning exercise. And what a fabulous way to start your day. I also like the idea of walking around the house as part of your moving plan. And yes, weights are a necessary extra.
Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. The inspiration is mutual! I look forward to hearing more from you.
Thanks!
Judith
Hi Beverly,
Thanks for the search tip.
Congratulations on achieving Lifetime WW status! That’s awesome. You’re welcome to share any weight loss tips you have here. While we won’t endorse any one program, I’m definitely open to discussing tips that aid us in our weight loss effort.
Thanks for your comments. I greatly appreciate them.
Judith
Hi Deb,
Yes. Being a boomer is one of the best things that’s happened in my life. Especially when one considers the alternatives.
Yep, the timer is necessary. Diapers aren’t. Yet. And by the time we need diapers, they will be so hip and cool that 30-somethings will want to wear them too.
Find the timer. I’m glad you’re here!
Judith
Hi Judith,
Great blog with a lot of healthy information! Being a boomer with bad knees, the most exercise I get is when my granddaughter wants me to go outside with her. That’s something that just doesn’t happen often enough.
I agree, sitting in front of the monitor all day is not healthy so I’m trying to get up more! One thng I know I’m doing right is drinking water - I have the grandkids asking for water before milk (especially chocolate milk) and none of them have ever tasted those fruit juice boxes or any juice other than diluted apple juice! They race me to the refrigerator to get “good cold water!”
One problem I struggle with is eating enough! I know that sounds strange but I don’t eat breakfast (very rarely do I eat anything at all) and most times I skip lunch. By the time my husband comes home, I’m really hungry and by the time I cook dinner, my apetite is gone again. To keep that metabolism burning is a struggle for me - can’t even make myself want those granola-type bars on a regular basis. Any ideas for attracting an appetite for breakfast or lunch?
Great job on your blog - I look forward to reading more of your tips!
Carol Deckert, Netweaving Coach
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