I like to move it! -- Part 1

Please listen to this, while reading the following little spiel:



I had a eureka! moment, while showering, just now: If I had kids, my levels of fitness would, naturally, be much higher.

Okay, that might not be a law of physics across the board -- as in, some people, when they become mothers, don't have the energy to be very active, so they aren't as fit as or more fit than before -- but I think (hope) I'd be fairly active, which would be a lot more active-ness and fit-ness than my current sedentary "job".

I've had desk "jobs" for just under 15 years. This, believe you me, my dear, is bound to take its toll on one's fitness and health, wouldn't you say? I mean, think about it... If I'd been chasing little kids around for the past 15 years... Okay, fine, the last 10 or even 5 years... I'd be an active person, not a sedentary one. Hence, my fitness would be much higher than it currently is or should be, by the laws of nature.

Although I can say that my fitness, in general, is pretty okay -- e.g. people look at me like I'm very weird to take 3 flights of steps in the MRT station, two at a time, instead of choosing the escalator, and I do it because I enjoy it, in heels -- and has gotten much better since that running stint (which stints I've sporadically indulged in, over the years), seeing as I sit all day and the human body was not made to sit all day, I can say that, despite whatever moderate fitness I do have, it's not sufficient and not what it should be.

These kinds of thoughts create awareness in me and remind me to strive to do better.--And that's why I obsess over them. >:)

Then I think of how many other people could be doing better. Not in a bad way, but I despair, because I realize how many obstacles there are to "doing better" in just about every part of life.

If I could, I would give you a magic solution to dissolve every obstacle. I'd even put it in a handy spray bottle. Wouldn't that be fun? Spray at will! Dissolve those obstacles! Oops, there goes my boss. Ahahaha! (That's a joke. Disclaimer: It's a joke. I was just wanted to use something cliche. Okay. Good. [It's okay: he doesn't read this blog. But his wife does. Sometimes. Hrm...])

So, in order to help all 2 of you, my faithful readers, to be more faithful with your fitness -- and I resolve to do the same -- let's embark on a little experiment:

Each week, I'll post special exercises that I find in the articles I've been browsing. They might be considered "special" because, well, for one, I'd never do a whole hour of them and for two it's likely I've never seen, heard of or tried them before. But for me, the selling point is always: takes under a minute. Haha. I'm such a quick-solve junkie. As long as the "solve" is in the "quick".

So, the commitment is to do at least one of these weird exercises -- or any variation of them or any replacement one -- each day of the week they're assigned to.

Okay?

Okay!

(Bonus points if you're coordinated enough to do all of those "move it" moves, above! Ahahaha!)

I don't buy into the whole "burn", "calories", "weight loss" and "be sexy" thing these articles endorse -- or at least use to grab your attention -- but I am a believer in trying anything that defies the natural bent of gravity (which, in my case, is whatever gravity does to me when I'm sitting), so these ideas are always interesting to try at least once. Hey, can't say they're anything like sitting.

Amen?

Amen.

So, here's the list for next week -- and we get two bonus days to this week: tomorrow and the day after...

Burn, Baby, Burn!


If you keep that page open on your computer, each time you sit down, you'll remember to do something. Good.

--And here are some bonus thoughts (web-taken)...


Office exercise

1. Make the most of your commute
Walk or bike to work. If you ride the bus, get off a few blocks early and walk the rest of the way. If you drive to work, park at the far end of the parking lot.
[The closest I've come to that is jogging the 8 kilometers to the office, something not done very regularly, these days, heh.]

2. Look for opportunities to stand
Stand while talking on the phone. Better yet, try a standing desk — or improvise with a high table or counter. Eat lunch standing up. Trade instant messaging and phone calls for walks to other desks or offices.
[This could be interesting, except, I have bad circulation, so standing too much isn't good for me either... then... my mommy always said it was impolite to eat standing up... and... I already find the office too chaotic to concentrate: imagine if people started replacing Skypes with in-person chats, ack! oh, right, they already do, blurgh!]

3. Take fitness breaks
Rather than hanging out in the lounge with coffee or a snack, take a brisk walk or do some gentle stretching. Pull your chin toward your chest until you feel a stretch along the back of your neck, or slowly bring your shoulders up toward your ears.
[Coffee/Snack break? Never. Well, it has happened once. Twice.]

4. Trade your office chair for a fitness ball
A firmly inflated fitness or stability ball can make a good chair. You'll improve your balance and tone your core muscles while sitting at your desk. You can even use the fitness ball for wall squats or other exercises during the day.
[I used to think the early-20-somethings who were into this sort of thing were just silly. Now, I think the idea might not be half-bad, at least, if I have years, yet, to spend behind a desk. If so, this will be on my priority "office needs" list. :D ]

5. Keep fitness equipment in your work area
Store resistance bands — stretchy cords or tubes that offer weight-like resistance when you pull on them — or small hand weights in a desk drawer or cabinet. Do arm curls between meetings or tasks.
[I'd rather do a cartwheel.]

6. Get social
Organize a lunchtime walking group. You might be surrounded by people who are ready to lace up their walking shoes — and hold each other accountable for regular exercise. Enjoy the camaraderie, and offer encouragement to one another when the going gets tough.
[I don't think we're big enough to divide into "groups", haha.]

7. Conduct meetings on the go
When it's practical, schedule walking meetings or brainstorming sessions. Do laps inside your building or, if the weather cooperates, take your walking meetings outdoors.
[Interesting... Never did consider grabbing people and taking them outside, for a stroll, when we have to touch base, instead of sitting in the conference room. In an office full of guys, I wonder how that would be received. Hahaha.]

8. Pick up the pace
If your job involves walking, do it faster. Keep your chin up and your shoulders slightly back — and remember to breathe freely while you walk.
[Always do!--Which is why I really don't mind having to walk home from the bus stop. :D ]

9. If you travel for work, plan ahead
If you're stuck in an airport waiting for a plane, grab your bags and take a brisk walk. Choose a hotel that has fitness facilities — such as treadmills, weight machines or a pool — or bring your equipment with you. Jump-ropes and resistance bands are easy to sneak into a suitcase. Of course, you can do jumping jacks, crunches and other simple exercises without any equipment at all.
[Traveling already requires so much energy expenditure between lugging things around and tromping through airports, I wouldn't go anywhere near adding to the exercise routine. :S ]

10. Try a treadmill desk
If you're ready to take office exercise to the next level, consider a more focused walk-and-work approach. If you can comfortably position your work surface above a treadmill — with a computer screen on a stand, a keyboard on a table or a specialized treadmill-ready vertical desk — you may be able to walk while you work. The pace doesn't need to be brisk, nor do you need to break a sweat.
[Hrm... this might be on my priority list if I'm at a desk past 10 more years! :D ]


--And now to sleep, since you can't skip that fitness building block.

Someday, I would like to take a course in fitness and nutrition -- but not extreme fitness: fitness for normal, everyday people like you and me who just need ideas of how to add a little variety to the reality of our lives. Maybe that's why I always click on these links... :D