I spend so much time in front of my computer screen reading and writing that quite honestly I’m getting as fat as a house. I’ve always been a healthy weight, up and down but have always been able to buy my clothes in high street stores. Just lately I’ve noticed that my clothes are a little tighter, some don’t fit and I can only put it down to the inactivity of writing and working from home.
When I write, I’m absorbed in the moment, I remain focussed and stay still, okay my fingers move but nothing else, no foot tapping or fidgeting, my mind is with the words, I’ve left my body if you like. Reading is the same my focus goes onto the written word and my body is again left to do its own thing.
I’ve wondered if my body is expanding to remind me it’s here, if it is, it’s working, as if I can’t fit in my clothes I’m going to have to think about where I write!
I walk every day, I love walking and as you know if you read my blog taking photos of nature, but I’m not doing enough in terms of exercise if it’s just a couple of miles a day against hours on the laptop.
I’ve decided I’m going to give standing up while I work a go, I’ve read some offices do this now with standing work stations. So I’ve set my Mac up on a kitchen counter and I’m going to complete my work there. Any telephone calls I have to make connected to work will be made walking around too.
This will be if anything an interesting experiment, maybe my writing will be rubbish, maybe I won’t get enough work done but it’s worth a try as I’m not giving into the flab!
Does anyone out there have any experience of this or any wise words of wisdom?
Liza (written while standing ;-))
Adjust your diet. If you are living a sedentary life then lower your calorie intake. When you are more active again raise the calorie intake. If you want to keep eating the way that you are eating now then you need to burn more calories. While you’re thinking or reading (ebooks/Audio books) hop on a treadmill or go our for a walk.
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Thank you, my diet is pretty good but yes you are right about reducing my calorie intake where I can. I think that a big part of it is activity, whatever you eat it’s so important to remain active. We have to continue to feed our brains and nerve systems too to function well, so cutting out food, the good foods anyway has to be done with caution. Thanks ever so much for dropping by and taking the time to comment π
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You’re right, it is safer to do exercise than it is to lower food intake. This doesn’t seem to apply to you but if your diet was unhealthy you don’t need to cut food, just change the types of foods that you consume.
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Yes I agree and have changed some of the food I choose, I’m veggie/vegan anyway so that cuts out a lot of heavy fat from my diet. I know it’s activity for me, that’s why I’ve decided to give the working while standing up a go π
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I tried that for a year while I was working in an office. Make sure to stretch a lot because standing for long periods can strain your leg muscles and joints and it can cause circulation problems as well.
Everyone is different though so maybe standing up more is what will help balance your weight out.
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Funny I was stretching as this comment came through! I will bare this in mind and make sure I keep moving about too. Hadn’t realised standing caused circulation problems, I know sitting for long periods does, I’ll have a read up on that. Thanks again.
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I could not do it- writing in the standing position π but if it helps then it’s worth trying!
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I’m not sure I’m going to be able to do it in the long run, I’ve only started this morning and I ache π As you say, worth a go though π
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I cross my fingers for youπ
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Ha ha thank you π
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While you write in standing position, how about taking little steps? Like miniature cha-cha-cha? π
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Yes! What a fab idea, not sure what the neighbours across the road will think as I’m set up right in front of the window! π
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Hahaha!
A little music playing in the background will sure ease them up π
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You are good at this, I’m liking your ideas π
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Thanks π
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You said you love to walk, try to walk 10,000 steps per day i.e. you should walk between 1 hour and half to two hours each day.
Writing while standing I can’t do that!! I like to sip some wine while I’m writing which is also not good, can get you fatter
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Ha ha Nadine, yes the wine hasn’t helped me but I don’t drink while I write as I once poured a glass over the keyboard! I do usually walk for about an hour and a half a day so maybe up that a bit to two.
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Also getting heavier! π¦ Also walking 45 min per day plus 15 min of exercises. Also a lot of time at the computer. I think for me it is my eating habits, lower metabolism, combined with old age! π Aren’t grandpas supposed to be fat and cuddly? I’ve also thought about standing up at the computer, but the desks made for that are expensive, and our kitchen counter space is quite limited! Best of luck in your endeavor.
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Oh thank you π Yes, I hate to admit but think mine might also be connected with age π¦ I’m not a gran yet so don’t want to fall into the cuddly either, anyway I’m going to be a fabulously fit gran !
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I have been a grandpa since September 24, 1999! Heading toward 18 years! tc
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Which is good because we get to see the photos π My dons 28 but no sign of children
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π One of my sons is 41, and no sign of marriage!
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No need really unless it’s something he wants π
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For sure! Too many parents push their children into relationships!
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….schools, jobs, careers, it’s the way the world works.
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I have been partially working from home and the office for almost two years and have gained a stone and a half. I get engrossed in my spreadsheets and two hours can go by without me feeling the time pass. I bought a Fitbit. I set the alarm on my phone to ensure I get up and walk 250 steps an hour and light up an activity light on my Fitbit dashboard. I do my best to walk 10k steps each day even if it means dancing around my bedroom, then I watch my Fitbit dashboard sparkle – a small thing but an incentive for me to get moving.
Because I care for my parents, eating meals for myself just wasn’t happening. I was grabbing a cookie here, piece of chocolate there, you get the picture. So recently I started looking after my own diet too, fruit smoothie, couscous salads and a proper main meal too. I lost 6 lbs in 4 weeks and felt better in myself but I still do get lost in the work from time to time.
I had gall bladder surgery on Monday so now in recovery mode. Hardly moving at all but I’ll get there! Good luck with the new regime π
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Thank you, a Fitbit might help me too, something to focus on and evidence activity and any laziness. Trouble with this work, we can get tired from thoughts but not from activity! I hope you do recover quickly from your surgery, it must be so difficult trying to care for your parents too! Very best wishes to you π
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I just have the basic Fitbit flex but yes, it does keep me motivated to move as I see the step count climbing. It was really irritating me that I was sitting down for so long by the computer. Thank you for your kind wishes, I’m not sure what I was expecting post op but for some reason I thought I’d be up and around doing things…how wrong I was!! Hope your experiment of working standing up today works well π
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I do hope you are up and around and feeling much better soon. Interesting experiment and some fun tips too on doing a cha cha while I’m working π One things for sure, I’m feeling it π
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Oohhh I like the sound of the cha cha whilst working π I might build it into my recovery routine π Are you tired after the day on your feet?
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Absolutely exhausted, walked for two hours too! Don’t push yourself with the recovery, I’m sure you can cha cha laying on the sofa π
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That’s not a bad idea actually, will keep the legs in action…one, two cha cha cha π
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Lol go easy π
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Yeah. Happens to me too.
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A nuisance and distraction isn’t it π
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It certainly is !
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I make sure I stand and stretch every hour. Plus make sure I do something physical every few hours. Walk, yoga, clean.
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I certainly will be doing the same now, it’s just become so easy to fall into that rabbit hole!
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Yeah, so easy! I remember when I was writing my book, and sit for hours at the laptop, All my glute muscles were one big knot. Wowza! Lesson learned. π
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Bet the excitement over the book made up for it π
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Most days. But when it was published for sure!!
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I’m sure, a book I plan to read π
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Wow! That would be fabulous!!
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My type of book, heard a lot about it, you must be very proud π
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Im proud, grateful and really humbled by the response. I’ve met some incredible people that have changed my life. π
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I’m sure you have the same impact my dear π you put yourself out there and that makes every difference π
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Thank You, Liza β€
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Me too… butt has expanded a little… a little more than working out required….πππ
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Ha ha, the trials of a writer π
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Yes…ππππ
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Interesting experiment – good luck and let us know how it goes π
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I will, I’m feeling hopeful or is it desperate anyway lol
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I’ve become a bigger person since I blogged too! I am less active which is why I have started my exercise regime and I find I write better due to the head clearing benefits and the endorphins. I plan blog posts while I exercise then come in the type like crazy! Haha π
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You have the right idea, loving watching your running achievements on fb. I must get back to something more than walking even if it is just daily yoga. Did well today though ππ
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Woop! π recognising a need to switch things up is the important first step….then you need to take steps…approx 10,000 if you walk π Otherwise I’d recommend running…it’s a great buzz π
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I think I have always done around 10,000 but it’s more recently I’ve lapsed. Back on it though ππ
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I do stand consciously.. it really helps
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My new regime π thanks Akhila
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π
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I love to read books and so I decided to combine my exercising and book reading into one task. I do this on the treadmill so I don’t trip and fall outside. lol Typically I’ll read two or three chapters depending on the length and that’ll amount to 1.5-2.5 miles walked. I have a feeling that if I could set my treadmill up with my desk somehow this would be a great way to work, too.
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I used to watch tv while on my exercise bike!
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It definitely makes exercising more enjoyable when you have a wonderful story to watch or read. π
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Doesn’t it π
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