So, I sit at a desk and stare at a computer for eight hours a day. My job used to involve a bit more motion, but it's evolved (or devolved...) over time and now I mostly just sit. Sometimes my legs are actually sore by the end of the workday from sitting so long. Between the inactivity and the flourescent lighting, I feel kinda sapped of energy by quitting time.

Do you guys have any suggestions for how I can move more at work? I have my own office, so I could shut the door and contort myself into embarrassing stretches. On nice days I could also go for miniwalks outside, but I'm hesitant to do much of that because I don't want to get a reputation as the shammer who's always out for a stroll.

Thanks.

My job is pretty much desk-centric. I get up and take little walks around the office, and at lunch I always make sure I take a quick walk - usually about 30 minutes to and back from the little town center that's around here.

There are people in my office who definately do stretches, and also do arm weights while on teleconferences.

Someone also mentioned one of those little pedal-things you put under your desk

Also - Hello Baltimore I'm in the Rockville area, but I spent most of my college life up there

Thanks for your input! I think I'll take more midday walks, as long as I can avoid hitting up the Shoppette for candy bars! The arm weights idea is cool. I heard about a guy -- was it on NPR? -- who replaced his desk chair with a treadmill. His desk was raised so his stuff would still be at the right level, and he'd just conduct business all day while walking the treadmill. I guess he must not have been exercising too strenuously though or else the people he called would think he's a pervert what with all the heavy breathing.

Hi Rockville! I'm actually up in Aberdeen, but I figured Baltimore was a better reference point for people. What did you like to do in Baltimore when you lived here? Any favorite spots?

I sit at a desk all day and have a long sedentary commute so I can definitely feel your pain. I've been trying standing at my desk recently. I bought one of those pedal things years ago and felt like it didn't really fit under the desk well and I had trouble concentrating while using it.

Recently, I've been setting aside 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon to stand at my desk instead of sitting. It seems to help a little and isn't as distracting. In fact, depending on the work it helps me get more done. I don't have a standing desk per se. I do have a screen that will tilt upwards and I put my keyboard and mouse on a file box that raises them up to the right level. depending on your job, it might be convenient to stand all day, but I find the 4 hrs per day is a good compromise.

Also, I don't know if this helps at all, but I like to sit on the edge of my chair and trying to more 'actively' balance myself. It's kind of similar to how some people sit on balance balls at work. I don't know that it burns more calories but it definitely helps to keep me more alert.

I try to sneak in extra activity like printing to a printer that's further away instead of the one near my desk or walking over to ask a colleague a question instead calling or emailing. It's not a huge amount of extra activity but every little bit helps! Plus I feel physically better getting up and moving around some throughout the day instead of being glued to my chair!

also, drink LOTS of water - if nothing else, you'll be getting up more often to use the ladies room. lol!

Oh, I think they even make desks now that fit on your treadmill.

I went to Towson for undergrad (and go there now for grad school), so we hung out a lot in downtown Towson (if you can call it that) but as I've "grown up" I frequent Fells Point more, mostly Max's and Slainte

Wow, it didn't really occur to me to stand at my desk. I might be able to swing that too with a little rearrangement. I like your balancing idea. I know I tend to slouch further and further down in my chair as the afternoon wears on, which 1) does not give me a very professional air and 2) makes me sluggish.

This got me to thinking that I used to be a lot better with walking to see a coworker, using the bathroom on another floor, etc. I've gotten lazy...It's easier for me to pick up the phone and call someone, for example, plus I can rationalize it as being "more efficient." lol

I'm with you on the water. I don't go ANYWHERE without my water bottle. I probably go like six times a day at work. Hmm wonder how many calories I burn going pee!

Hmm I'll have to check out Fells Point. We've been to Baltimore lots of times, but mostly we've stuck to the inner harbor and the area by the zoo.