I don’t remember exactly how this came
to my attention. I think I may have
followed a link from Facebook or Twitter which I bookmarked and promptly forgot about. At the time I was quite happy sitting on my
expanding backside while I wrote and read and internetted and watched TV and and and...
I really was sitting far too often for far
too long. Especially, when, as my sons
kept telling me, “sitting is the new smoking.”
But I need to sit to get my work done, right? Butt in chair, hands on keyboard, right?
Not necessarily. Let me introduce you to my new desk.
 |
| Note to self: must tidy up those cords! |
I would have included a picture of me
walking while I work but that would have included pictorial evidence of that
ever-expanding backside. My treadmill
desk has been operational for only a week, you see, and needs much more time to
work it’s magic on my body.
My thoughts after the first week:
* Luckily it arrived before Easter when the
handiest of my three sons was home.
There’s some weight in this baby so assembly was a two-man/woman job.
* To fit this in my office, I had to move my big desk out. I wanted to keep both – a small sitting desk and the treadmill -- but Son3 convinced me to go all-out so I wouldn’t slip back into the familiar routine of sitting all day. I compromised by moving a comfy armchair into the corner. (After he'd left!)
* I started out doing pre-writing tasks. Outlining, planning, making notes and researching. But I have started writing new words and that’s taking some adjustment. It is encouraging me to write “rough”, to get the words down without going back to correct typos (I make a LOT of those while walking) or to play with words and sentence structure. I’m thinking there isn’t room on this treadmill for me AND my internal editor. A very good thing, yes?
* Writing notes on paper is even more difficult than typing. Rough doesn’t even begin to describe the scribbling but, again, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As long as the scribble is legible.
* Walking speed is slow: anywhere between one and two miles per hour while typing or writing and a tad faster when reading (which I’ve been doing this weekend, on my Kindle.) I find 90 minutes a session about right and then I need a break. In that time I do 7,500 steps so I'm killing the 10,000 steps a day thing. I want to spend my entire working day at this slow amble – that’s the end point – but that’s going to take some practice and a better pair of walking shoes.
* One big positive: I’m snacking far less than usual and my coffee consumption has more than halved. Water is my new best friend!
* A negative: woosiness when I get off the treadmill. Despite the slow speed, it takes me a few minutes to find my land legs.
* A bigger negative: you have no lap while walking and therefore no lap dog or cat for company.
* To fit this in my office, I had to move my big desk out. I wanted to keep both – a small sitting desk and the treadmill -- but Son3 convinced me to go all-out so I wouldn’t slip back into the familiar routine of sitting all day. I compromised by moving a comfy armchair into the corner. (After he'd left!)
* I started out doing pre-writing tasks. Outlining, planning, making notes and researching. But I have started writing new words and that’s taking some adjustment. It is encouraging me to write “rough”, to get the words down without going back to correct typos (I make a LOT of those while walking) or to play with words and sentence structure. I’m thinking there isn’t room on this treadmill for me AND my internal editor. A very good thing, yes?
* Writing notes on paper is even more difficult than typing. Rough doesn’t even begin to describe the scribbling but, again, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As long as the scribble is legible.
* Walking speed is slow: anywhere between one and two miles per hour while typing or writing and a tad faster when reading (which I’ve been doing this weekend, on my Kindle.) I find 90 minutes a session about right and then I need a break. In that time I do 7,500 steps so I'm killing the 10,000 steps a day thing. I want to spend my entire working day at this slow amble – that’s the end point – but that’s going to take some practice and a better pair of walking shoes.
* One big positive: I’m snacking far less than usual and my coffee consumption has more than halved. Water is my new best friend!
* A negative: woosiness when I get off the treadmill. Despite the slow speed, it takes me a few minutes to find my land legs.
* A bigger negative: you have no lap while walking and therefore no lap dog or cat for company.
Early days but I’m optimistic this will
improve my health and fitness exponentially and I'm cautiously optimistic that this will help,
rather than hinder, my wordcount. I will report back next month on my progress.
Question: how do you manage your fitness/activity level while putting in long hours at your desk job?
I too work from home (not an author, but a typist/editor for various companies and individuals) and spend all day at my computer. I schedule a one-hour walk with a girlfriend every Wednesday at 9:30 am (where we meet up with other women) and I play competitive badminton three nights every week (it used to be five nights/week but my knees and shoulders couldn't keep up) - where I meet up with the same players regularly. The key to me is to be accountable to others when scheduling whatever activity you enjoy. Good luck! (I couldn't do it, as I write by hand so much of the time, plus I have a foot pedal to operate, but I definitely applaud your efforts!)
ReplyDeleteAccountability is a big incentive in many things -- so true, Laney. I used to love competitive sport (I still would, but for age and slowness) and think that's the perfect way to keep fit and active. Go you and your badminton!
DeleteI turn 57 this month and am one of the younger players at badminton. Several of my elders are still better players than me (although that would only be the men, LOL). Although I play in the competitive "A" rounds (and often win, depending on my partners), we have recreational players too. Perhaps you can re-start a sport you played in your younger years and "work your way up"? I don't let my age - nor my slowness, as I have poor reflexes, surprisingly enough, probably because I have had arthritis in most joints of my body for over 20 years now - nor my other physical ailments (diabetes, high blood pressure, Raynaud's disease, etc.) actually slow me down. I keep saying one step at a time ... it's better than doing nothing ... at least I'm with friends and getting away from my desk/tv ... think of the pound I'm going to lose today ... use it or lose it.... All of these things matter.
DeleteLacey, I am beyond impressed with your badminton skills. I'm a naturally competitive soul and did love sport but I guess I'm a little afraid I'll become obsessive about it and that it will consume my time instead of being for leisure and exercise. I can only be obsessed with one thing at a time and at the moment I'm wanting that to be writing! :-)
DeleteGood on you, Bron! That sounds brilliant. I bet it will take a while to adjust. I got a sit/stand desk several years ago and it's been a lifesaver. I have a back injury so sitting too long is a disaster. I set a timer for 20 mins then stand, then sit when I get tired.
ReplyDeleteAs for keeping fit, there's a walk each morning and pilates twice a week (most weeks). I'm not terribly fit but I'm better than I could be. Love the idea of reducing the snacking! Trouble is I'm too near the kitchen.
Hope to hear you've ambled your way to a great new story soon.
I think a standing desk would have been a nice stepping stone to the treadmill but I plunged right in! I will be using mine, I'm sure, as a standing desk to break up the motion. I didn't mention, also, that the salesman mentioned using one of those sitting-on balls (my mind is a blank, obviously from too much exercise today!) with the desk as another option to break up the walking. I've not looked into that, yet, but might further down the track.
Delete(I'm attracted to the idea of pilates but have never tried it.)
Bron I've been using a fitball for years now instead of a chair - its helped my back incredibly!
DeleteFit ball, YES!!!, that's the word I couldn't think of! And now I know the word, I'll have a little investigation...
Delete(aaaand autocorrect changed fitball to fit ball)
DeleteWell firstly, I am in awe!! Wow. Go you!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, hmmm....I think I'd like to trial this before I went the full hog. I love the idea of racking up walking miles and steps as you work but...oh lordy, it seems soooo committed. Like giving up alcohol *forever* :-/
Questions. How many 90 min sessions are you clocking a day? Are you feet/legs tired by the end of the day? Obviously height is adjustable? Can you do uphill on the treadmill (not that I'd want to - ugh ugh ugh - but just curious). And if so does that upset the apple cart with the laptop or is is "locked" in somehow? Are they hidesously expensive?
Okay. I'll stop now :-)
I had a trial when I was in Sydney for ARRA; only cost me a cab fare each way. I had a walk and was sold. Of course, that was a short walk and I was encouraged/prodded/shoved by aforementioned sons. They do worry about me!
DeleteSo far I've only done 2 or 3 a day but that's more because of my other obligations (there's a finite time I can spend shut away in my office each day while James is at his day program.)
My legs/feet aren't suffering at this pace, but would if I kept going for hours and hours and hours.
Desk height is adjustable; I change it for typing vs reading (raise the height, stick my Kindle on one of those page-holder stands and walk with my arms as well, in between page taps.)
No uphill, it's a basic treadmill.
Yes, to the expensive question. But: office equipment.
Cool, thanks for this, Bron.
DeleteAnd thanks to the tax man :-)
Fantastic, Bron! I'll look forward to progress reports about this and how you find after you've been doing it for a while.
ReplyDeleteI've recently changed to a saddle stool at the computer because it keeps my legs and back and hips in a better position while I'm working at the desk. It's been a learning curve and I've actually hurt my knee a bit in the adjustment process - sadly, as usual, going all in instead of working up to the change! My bad!
I'm a Fitbit fan now too and am really enjoying that little buzz on the days I get to the 10,000 steps! Which thanks to having the Fitbit (and having so much outside work to do) are much much more frequent than they used to be.
I haven't heard of the saddle stool, Sharon, but I'm immediately going to Google because anything with "saddle" in it immediately captures my attention. Sorry to hear about your knee, though.
DeleteThe Fitbit is a wonderful little incentivising tool, isn't it?
Sounds like a great purchase Bronwyn. I sometimes have access to sit/stand desks at work - not all in the building can do it.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea behind the sit-stand desk but given my chronic pain is in the right ankle, it doesn't really happen - I do like that it gives my feet more room when I elevate my leg though.
Workplaces seem to be getting on board with these new stand/walking desks, which is a good thing. As long as there's a choice, which there seems to be with you. Sorry to hear about your ankle though. :-(
DeleteWow Bron, I'm so impressed and I love this idea! To stay fit, I try to either run 5km or go to the gym each day, but reckon this looks better. Love to hear how it goes.
ReplyDeleteI am always impressed with your dedication to exercise, Jen. Running is a thing of my past and, I fear, so is the gym. So this is a good choice for me. Lots of long, steady movement that doesn't actually feel like exercise.
ReplyDeleteI just started working a full-time office job about 2 months ago, for the first time in 23 years! I had worked multiple part-time jobs while the kids were growing up, but I always had a break in between. I am noticing the spread, for sure. Now that it is light out later, I plan on walking in the evening & getting to the gym 2-3 times a week. I also need to get more sleep, so I don't feel the need for soda in the morning. (I am not a coffee or tea drinker.) Good luck to you with your new treadmill/desk. Sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the full-time job, Sharlene. I'm sure there are as many pros as cons, and great you can use the lengthening days to get in your walks in the evening. On our side of the world, the opposite is happening which was one of the reasons for my switch to indoor walking. Good luck with your exert use plan; it's never easy to switch routine but you can do it!
DeleteWOW this is awesome Bronwyn
ReplyDeleteYour office looks good and you must be feeling more positive I think :)
I have a fitbit now and walk everyday for around 30 min but I have just won an I-pod and I am going to get some audio books and see if that will keep me walking longer :)
have Fun
Helen
It is awesome, Helen. I had my biggest day yet yesterday and felt so positive afterward.
DeleteAwesome that you won an iPod. Listening to an audiobook makes your walk a fun outing to look forward to -- I bet you'll find the time passes so quickly you'll start walking for longer and longer. That will make the audiobooks an excellent investment in your health (pity we can't claim them on health insurance!!!)
Hmm...you've reminded me that I need to go for a walk. The longer I sit here, the less enthused I become. That said, it's only a five minute drive to the beach from...and it's always very nice walking and paddling down there.
ReplyDeleteSo, as you see, I'm definitely not one to turn to for advice on health and fitness, Bron. ;-) Still, your desk sounds very intriguing. I'll be interested to discover how it works out for you!
If I had a beach five minutes away, Michelle, I would NOT be walking on a treadmill. :-) There are times of the year when it is beautiful to go for a walk around the paddocks but late summer and early autumn is not one of them. Until it rains the landscape is depressingly dry and brown. Plus, snakes.
DeleteSo interesting to read about your new desk, Bron. I try to go to Curves and swim as much as I can. But it all falls to pieces towards as deadline approaches and I sit for way too long. Consistency is what I need to strive for!
ReplyDeleteKandy, one of the downsides of my farm-life is the lack of a Curves or pool nearby. I could drive into town but then that takes such a chunk of time our of what is my limited writing time that it doesn't work. Hence my need for home help!
ReplyDelete