[One of the occasional series of posts about my typical day.]
As noted elsewhere, my job requires bum glue. If a task is going well, I can get a lot done in an hour or two. But when I get up, well, maybe it’s a fat thing, maybe it’s an over-40 thing, but I feel stiff. It may take 6 or 8 steps before my gait relaxes into “normal”. Once I’m moving I’m fine, but the transition feels awkward in the “Eep! Is-anyone-noticing?” way.
Yes, I’ve heard of the “treadmill desk” idea (most recently spacedcowgirl wrote on it). I also know people who use a stationary bike while they play video games. I sometimes use a “mini-bike” exerciser while reading or watching TV, and I suppose I could, technically, use a computer too. But there’s some problems with the idea.
- The idea is to be less stiff. Biking through 30-Minute Meals has me walking funny, too!
- I tried using my computer while on a stationary bike and found I don’t multitask pedaling and typing well. Dropping my efficiency and performance level at work is SO Not A Good Idea.
What do I do? Here’s some things I do, in rough order of frequency:
- Set a timer to remind me to get up and stretch….
- …and/or top off coffee/water/tea.
- If it makes sense, sometimes go talk to a coworker instead of calling or sending email. (Drawback: Assumes I have time, coworker at their desk, etc.)
- Go for a walk during lunch. (Drawback: Requires extracting myself from the nest, may encourage the idea that I don’t have enough to do.)
- Walk to the nearby coffee shop for a mocha instead of just getting coffee. (Drawback: Extracting myself from the nest, $).
- Our new office has some decks but no deck furniture. My boss and I had our weekly “touch base” meeting standing out in the sunshine this week. :)
Some things I’ve thought of but haven’t tried:
- Stand up during phone calls and stretch. (Don’t make many, actually, but this will change)
- Go to the other floor to use the bathroom. (Well, once it’s no longer under construction)
Other ideas?
Living ~400lbs 
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