Fitness

Ok I don't know if this is completely out there...But I sit at a desk all day and work, granted I have to get up and walk around here and there but I was curious if anyone had any good ideas of something to do while I am just sitting here?? Anything would be appreciated!!

Ohhh, Im in the same boat...I dont have any answers for you, but I wanted to thank you for posting this, Im very interested in it too =)

Butt squeezes!

dips with the arms of the chair

I actually have a fidgeting problem.  I must always tap my toes or wiggle something.  Also - do some arm movements, just push away from the desk a bit and move your arms, stretch, lean down and stretch your back and legs by reaching for your toes.  If you're in a cubicle world, get up every 20 min or so and take a lap or two around the  cubicles. :)

You realize, under activies, miscelaneous is Sitting - typing/desk work.  You burn about 180 cals per hour just doing desk work and typing all day long.  Make sure you log that activity.  an 8 hour shift is 480 min. 

Good Luck, Have fun! :)

I never knew that was an activity!  Sweet!  I'm stuck at a desk all day long, too...but I try to get up as much as I can, instead of transferring a call down the hall, I walk down to tell them about it, stuff like that.  I'm really fidgety, too.  I'm so logging my minutes, though!

Ya I didn't know I could log that either but it still doesnt feel liket its much..I guess its better than nothing..And I try to get up as much as possible too like if someone is here for a meeting I will get up and walk to their office to let them know instead of just calling them..

How many people were reading this and started squeezing their butt?

i did!

I was totally cracking up when I was writing that.  Its funny, but its a good thing to do...I always forget to, though.  I should write myself a sticky note for my monitor that says "squeeze butt"...wonder what my coworkers would think?  hehe

HAHAHAHA

LOL I did... But ya I stop and then forget too...

I totally started squeezing butt lol

Thats funny, As soon as I read that I started squeezing.  LOL  thanks for the laugh today!

Hi desk folks- I've posted about this before, but I switched my desk chair at work with an exercise ball. It works! It's been 3 months and my abs have gotten more toned. Every little movement requires your muscles to work, as you turn to answer the phone, you must make little adjustments.

It's best to start out slow though. Maybe replace it just for a half hour the first time.

I bought a thigh master to use while I am at work. I think it has really helped out and its easy to do while sitting at your desk

I moderate on a fibromyalgia site and when I saw your question I remembered a post I had saved in the archives there.....here it is:

My sister takes rehab each week for a lung condition and these folks by the nature of their illness cannot do a great deal of physical movement. All their exercise are done in the sitting down position, on a chair.

Here are some of the exercises they do ...

Marching on the spot (while sitting) - gets the blood flowing in the legs
Rowing Motion - as if in a rowboat, arms only and bending from the waist
Kayaking - side to side motion as if with a paddle
Breast Stroke - swimming motion with arms
Crawl - swimming again with appropriate arm motions
Back Stroke - again the arms in a backward over the head motion
Climb Ladder - hands over the head reaching
Stir the Pot - a large pot! circular motion of arms and shoulders - first one direction then reverse
Play the Drums - rapid hand motion
The Trombone - as if playing a trombone, one arm goes in and out then switch arms
Piano - exercise the fingers as if playing the piano
Arm Curls - use light weights for some resistance
Arm Stretches - up - over and back
leg Stretches - seated - stretch and flex
Neck stretches

All of these can be done in rep patterns suited to the individual and their ability to exercise

and another person posted to the same question this answer:

TAI CHI is great for doing while sitting or standing. Most libraries carry tapes of this and it good exercise but also relaxing at the same time.
The tapes we used at the pain clinic were Tai Chi for arthritis. I thought ya right old lady exercises but it really is kind of interesting and takes a lot of concentration.
Here is one for stiff painful hands. I eaves dropped on a class for arthritis one day.
Put your hands flat on the table and raise one finger at a time. Don't stretch it so it hurts just up and then back down. Do this with every finger and both hands a few times. If you rub some warmed oil into your hands in a self massage first it is easier to get your fingers moving.

Sit in a chair and raise your legs out straight just high enough to keep your feet off the floor. Then rotate your ankles 5 times in one direction and 5 in the other.

Stider had mentioned stir the pot using your arms and hands. Do the same big or small circle using your legs and feet just raise your foot about 6" off the floor and pretend you are stirring a pot.

Sit with one foot extended and stretch both arms down your leg as far as you can. Then do the same on the other leg.

Hope this helps....

Thanks fancy55!  Those are some great ideas.
I also did a search and found this site with some great ideas....

http://www.ucop.edu/humres/eap/exercizes.html

nobody mentioned kegels ;)

For those of us who might get weird looks if we start swimming in our cubicle... tighten and hold abs muscles (remember to breathe :)