Oh Florida humidity, you are so fabulous. This morning my run with Sadie was hot and humid.
Whenever I set out for a run in the summer in Florida, I know to expect to feel more sluggish than usual and today was no different. Despite the thick, moist air, Sadie and I had a good time. I was equipped with a rockin’ playlist and just zoned out for most of the run.
We ended up knocking out five miles and it felt good to shake out my legs before work.
Breakfast
Breakfast this morning centered around almond butter.
I topped a toasted whole wheat English muffin with almond butter and a drizzle of honey.
Plus a banana on the side!
Stand Up Desk
Last night, Ryan and I had plans on the side of town by Ryan’s work, so I met up with him at his office before he was done for the day. I’ve been inside of Ryan’s work building a few times before, but he recently changed offices and I had never seen his brand new desk!
Ryan now has a stand up desk at work! Pretty cool, huh? He also has an extra tall chair to use when he wants to sit, but he seems to really enjoy standing up.
After reading the book Drop Dead Healthy, I told Ryan all about the author’s stance on prolonged sitting. (You can read my full review of the book here if you are interested.) In the book, A.J. Jacobs writes, “We weren’t built to sit. According to Harvard professor John Ratey, our Paleolithic forefathers walked eight to 10 miles a day. Our grandparents expended an average of 800 calories a day more than we do. Even regular gym-going cannot fully undo the harm of sitting.”
At my former job, I sat at a computer for the entire day. I would try to get up once an hour to get something to drink, eat a snack or go to the bathroom, but there were definitely times that I sat for hours without stretching my legs. I hated that feeling and it definitely made me look forward to our evening walks with Sadie when I got home. I wanted to move!
Question of the Morning
- Does your job require you to sit for a long period of time? Do you do anything to break up the sitting?
- If you could work from a stand up desk, would you want to?
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I want a stand up desk so bad! I haven’t been able to talk my boss into it yet. She has had many back surgeries and is convinced standing for long amounts of time is bad for your back. I was able to convince her to let me get a stability ball chair for my office. Everyone thinks I’m crazy for sitting on a ball all day, but posture has improved and it takes serious core work to hold yourself up all day instead of relying on the back of a chair. I guess this will do for now.
I have an office job as well. I usually walk about a mile for our two 15 minute breaks outside. Since I live in south Louisiana, our summers are humid and hot as well. So, if I happen to have an important meeting, I usually skip the walk since even just 15 minutes gets me sweaty.
I also go home for lunch and think I’ll try to make it a point to not sit during that duration. Eat standing up, clean up around house, etc.
That part of Drop Dead Healthy stood out to me too!! (Also the part about not sitting on the toilet for too long…TMI?) Anyway, a guy at my office has a desk like that, but he’s a lot higher up than I am (he’s like a VP) and I’m not sure what our HR people would say if I told them I wanted to get a stand-up desk. Instead I’ve been thinking of replacing my chair with a stability ball! It’s better than nothing!
Omg I think about that toilet part all the time!!! It freaked me out!
What is the toilet part?? Just curious
I also work an office job that has me sitting all day. Well it did before I built myself a stand up desk. A guy who works near me has a company stand up desk that raises and lowers when he wants to stand or sit (pretty cool!) Only downside is that these desks cost over $500! I found out that the only way to get my company to buy me one is to have a medical reason (aka doctors note) Its kinda sad that I have to have something physically wrong with me to get one of these things. Well i did a little research and found a blog where some guys made a standup desk with parts all from ikea for less then $30! Needless to say I went to ikea that weekend and built myself a standup desk. Its amazing and I feel so much better at the end of the day. I have alot more energy and my legs arn’t sore or achy by the end of the day. Here is a pic of my homemade standup desk! http://instagram.com/p/Z3Ny1NDSZF/
I work at a chiropractic office and get to go out and be in the community a lot talking with people but I do have to sit when I come back to the office. Sitting is one of the worst things we can do for our spines so being on a stability ball if at all possible at work is a great idea! I really would like to get a standing desk where you can lower and raise it whenever you want.
I used to have a job that I could do sitting or standing and I loved it! I would love to get a stand up desk for my job now but unfortunately it’s not my decision. Oh well, I spend a lot of time walking to the printer, copier and other offices so hopefully it will make up for all the time I spend sitting!
I have to stay sitting for 2 out of the five days a week and they kill me. Find it so hard to get comfortable and also remembering to get up and walk around every now and a while. I’d LOVE a stand up desk for sure!
I’m a teacher and during the school year I am always on my feet. Now during the summer I sit all day at a summer job. I have noticed a huge change in my mood during the summer when I have to sit, it’s not a good mood change.
Im a nurse so I walk around a lot, no prob for me sitting too much!
I work in a lab, so it involves a lot of walking during the day. I would love to use pedometer one day and see how many steps do I usually make while walking
Oh I bet that would be so interesting!
I’m a year 1 teacher and I never get to sit down. My back and feet are always so sore at the start of each term, but you get over that. First thing I do when I get home is sit in a comfy chair with my feet up = bliss
I would love a standing desk. I’m not so sure my company would be into spending the money, but perhaps it’s worth a shot!
I totally want a standing desk! We do have some really tall tables at work, so sometimes I just stand at one of those haha
Would love one…but logistically and financially NOT possible! But I wish you hadn’t just focused on “calorie burn” in your post…a stand up desk is not about “burning more calories” but to improve concentration/posture/soreness/body mechanics.. Its’ not about the calories and your readers need to know that.
Ryan: I am so jealous! I have been wanting a standing up desk since starting my 9-5 full time. So yes, I sit A LOT! I try to get up as often as possible, stretch and change positions while seated and go for a walk at lunch. I just ordered a stability ball chair and am anxiously awaiting it’s arrival! Also water helps… not only does it help you stay hydrated but it forces you to get up to use the bathroom 🙂
i’m a third grade teacher so i never sit haha but if i did or at home for blogging i would love a treadmill desk! i think those things are so awesome!
I’ve wanted one of these so bad! Can you ask him what the brand is? I want to order one for myself. 🙂
There are alot of options out there. Just be ready for sticker shock – even for the chairs! They are EXPENSIVE.
I built mine own for under $30 with parts from IKEA! There was no way i was paying +$500 for one of the premade ones from the companies. I researched and found this blog which tells you how you can make your own. It worked perfect! http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-Standing-desk-for-22-dollars.html
Is there anywhere online you know of that has whole wheat English muffins for ordering? I can NOT find whole wheat ones anywhere in my local grocery stores, and I LOVE them!
I am the secretary/ accounts payable at a fire truck manufacturer. I am the only female out of 100 employees and I. sit. all. day. long. I work out in the morning before work and that keeps my energy up pretty much all day. I try to stand up every chance I get to shred paper, enter things into the computer, etc. I also try to do some stretches if I am sitting for too terribly long in a vacant office by the kitchen.
I WOULD LOVE A STAND UP DESK!!
I would love a stand up desk! Sometimes I sit on an exercise bowl to get a little more movement than a stationary office chair. Still, by the end of the day I am SO sick of sitting@
I hate sitting for a long period of time, so throughout my surgery recovers it would drive me NUTS. I feel like my body hurts more if I do sit a lot. I wanted to become a teacher for the fact you can get up and walk around the room constantly. Although, some teachers like to park their rears at their desks haha! I would definitely be the person with the stand up desk and yoga ball as a chair!
The main thing I HATE about working in an office is sitting all day. I have converted my bookshelf in my office into a standing desk that I used for a couple hours a day. I sit in my regular chair for a couple hours then sit on my stability ball for the rest of the time. It’s a good mix up.
Interesting concept, a stand-up desk. I think I would probably prefer a balance of both, but I can definitely see where the benefits would come in with having a stand-up desk.
I would LOVE to have a stand-up desk at my job. I used to work at a grocery store where I stood most of the time, and now that I recently got my first “big girl” job I am sitting a great portion of the day. I definitely feel more tired/sluggish as a result.
Having a desk job is the worst thing ever! It kills me! If I could stand it would be amazing! Also loving that you said “moist.” My husband and I always crack up about how nasty a word it is, it’s banned from speaking at our house 😉
http://www.buzzfeed.com/hunterschwarz/why-moist-is-the-worst-word-ever-6zgv
I ship BBQ all over the country & am stuck behind a desk all day. I find as many excuses as possible to go up & down the stairs at work as often as possible to get some exercise & stretch my legs.
I have a part time desk job and im constantly trying to get up as much as possible. I hate sitting. Now that Im looking to go full time a stand-up desk would be ideal!
Yikes – one of my worst habits. I sit in front of my computer literally from 8am until about midnight, usually with an hour or so break for dinner (but sometimes that’s in front of the computer, too!). I try to stand up frequently (drinking lots of water helps so I have to go to the bathroom a lot!), but I know it’s still not great. I would love to have a standing desk!
ah I agree! sitting is so bad, for prolonged periods of time. it’s so hard as a student though…studying doesn’t really allow for much walking around! any tips?
I eat peanut butter and honey all the time! It’s one of my favorite combos from childhood. Definitely just had a moment. 🙂 My job is very physical so I don’t need to worry about sitting too much (if at all) But I love the concept of standing desks. If I had to work in an office, I would definitely take that route – I could never sit all day!
I have an office job that does have me moving around a lot, but I do find myself with stretches of sitting. I could definitely use a stand-up desk!
I would LOVE a stand up desk!!!! I sit eight hours a day and its so difficult. I just want to move!! My mother has a treadmill desk which is even cooler!!
I used to have an 8-5 job at a desk and I vowed to never have a desk job again! I went crazy sitting there every day at a computer – and it’s probably bad for your eyes also!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me
Stand up desk seems cool!!! My “desk” is the couch right now. The lovely “stay at home mom” desk haha. Soon it will be a legit desk again though when I’m back in school and for that, I have a big comfy chair to enjoy 😉
My current position requires an incredible amount of “sit time”. To break it up, I volunteer to make office runs and deliver things versus sending emailed responses as most of my frequent contacts are in the same building.
I would love a stand up desk, with the option of a higher chair to lean on if needed.
Great post!
Sitting= death!!!!’
I saw that pic on your instagram yesterday and showed it to my boss! I would LOVE a desk like that…my biggest complaint in joining the full-time work force is the amount of time spent just sitting. It drives me crazy! I, too, come up with excuses to get up and get moving every 30-60 minutes. If only I could find a job that encompassed everything I like to do…including moving 😉 I bet you love working at a gym now – what a great way to be active at work!
When I was teaching I was up and moving around ALL DAY and it was great. Now that I’m home for the summer, I feel lazy and can feel the difference in my body. I am definitely craving my gym time and evening walks with the pups! Also, almond butter + honey on an Shmuffin is the best.
Ah I would love a standup desk. I’m a year out of college and this whole sitting for hours concept is rough! It’s hard to sometimes find time to go for a walk at lunch. I’m heading over to read your review of that book. I agree- we need to be more active!
I am an accountant at a large construction company. We implemented morning and afternoon stretching at the office to encourage the same at job sites where stretching before performing physical labour is necessary. It’s also a great way to get up, move around and wake up!
I’ve had a stand up desk for 2.5 years now and love it! I have a desk job but I like to move around a lot when I can. I find myself walking around with my headset on conf calls and being more active when I’m already standing. Heals and standing dont work so I always keep a pair of flats under my desk. Stylish slippers in the winter! Guessing Ryan wont have that problem! 🙂 The first thing that got better was my wrist. In a chair I would slouch and bend my wrist to much and wear a wrist brace most of the day. Now I dont need it unless I’m working on a major excel file all day. I would encourage anyone to give it a try!
I started my “life in a cube” about 8 years ago after having a very active job before that. Sitting all day killed me. I couldn’t find a crank or hydraulic standing desk that was under $800, and all the standing desk converts, that sit on top of your desk, were cheap material and couldn’t adjust to my specific typing height. So, I developed the standing desk converter that I wanted; a nice alternative.
Here’s the link if you have a chance to take a peek – http://wallsproutz.com/
Bosses that have seen the $800 to $3,000 standing desks, seem to like the idea of only spending $175-$350, a lot more! 🙂
thanks so much for sharing, eric!
I sit ALL day. I work for a fisheries research lab in Seattle and between computer work at my desk and sitting for long hours at the microscope, sitting is practically all I do. Its the microscope work that really kills me though, because I’m constantly looking in the scope, then turning to write notes or enter something into the computer, grab a book, etc. and if I don’t take extra care to move my whole body, my back just kills me by the end of the day. Finally went to a chiropractor a few weeks ago and found out my spine is reaping the conssequences (starting to look like its doing the conga), so I have extra incentive to make sure I don’t get lazy and take shortcuts. My work has a pretty good system for getting specialized equipment for ergonomic support, so I may need to finally buck up and ask for one of those ball chairs or something…
I sit behind a computer a lot at my job. I would love to have a stand up desk! I really need to work on that 🙂
I do have to sit for part of my job, but I try not to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time. I also try to walk and see people rather than send an e-mail or call if time allows.
That is so neat that he has a desk that is tall! I’d love one with a treadmill with it, actually. Standing is better than sitting, but motionless standing can be hard on the lower back as well-so I’d prefer a TM to walk super slowly while working. One day! 🙂
Mmmm honey & almond butter is such a great combo.
I have been using a stand up desk for the past year and a half and now it feels funny to sit down when I am on my computer. I work from my home and I am pretty much always on my computer so this really has been an amazing tool. I remember prior to having this stand up desk I had a lot more back pain and I just felt so lazy! Now at the end of the day I am actually tired from standing so much! 🙂
I either get up every hour or so or when my boss leaves the room sometimes I drop and do some yoga. I’m always scared he’ll walk back in but it feels so good to stretch for a minute.
I love that desk! What a fabulous way to get work done without having to sit all day. I have always had jobs where I am on my feet all day, but now I have school and an internship where I am working at a desk. I completely understand that feeling like you just need to move. I would love a stand up desk. Can you imagine the health benefits if all offices got their employees stand up desks?
I sit all day long, and try to get up as much as possible. As a result I’m up to get water/walk to the bathroom about 20 times a day. Haha. I’d love to have a standing desk, but only if I had my own office, otherwise I’d tower over everyone in my marketing department.
That is awesome! i’ve thought about switching to a ball but I’m not sure about that. I do a LOT of stuff on my desk and work is usually spread out, so I dont think I could do a stand up desk unless they make extra long ones! Here are some of my tips for office jobs:
Do 20 squats every time you go to the bathroom (in the stall-a little awkward)
Or if you have a smaller office close the toilet lid and do 20 tricep dips
Walk the LONg way around each time you get up
Try to drink 1 glass of water per hour, then you probably go to the restroom more and have to get up more!
Walk to talk to co-workers instead of calling or email.