5 things you can do at your computer to get fitter and sexier
This post has been inspired by the Group Writing Project that is going on over at Problogger. I really love this project that is organized a few times a year at Problogger and encourage you all to go over and check out all the other entries. The topic is “Top 5…” so here is mine.
Make blogging more “fit friendly”
We all spend a lot of time at computers and that time can go to better use. There are some little bits a pieces you can do to dramatically improve your health and fitness as well as avoiding some nasty problems that can pop up as a result of computer over use.
Here are the top five things you can do while at your computer to boost your fitness and get sexier:
1. Keep a bowl of mixed nuts by your keyboard
Many people do not get enough healthy fats and nuts are a great source of them. It is a good idea to replace junk food snacks with healthy natural ones. You will find that you stay full during meals and as a result you don’t snack on easy to reach foods like chips and sodas.
2. Do ten push ups after each email
My brother and I started a bit of a tradition when the game Counter Strike came out. We would set up our computers in the bedroom and then log on and see who could get the most kills. The first person to get shot by a bad guy had to drop and do 10 push ups. After a few weeks of this during the university holidays the two of us had packed on a fair bit of muscle!
Find time in between emails, posts or whatever you are doing to do some sit ups or push ups. Be creative.
3. Sit on a fitness ball instead of a chair
The benefits a fitness ball provides to your posture and sitting technique are great. Many large corporations are now using them instead of chairs. You can often walk past an office window and see the staff bouncing up and down at their desks! It is a much more natural way to sit and it makes it easier to do some sit ups in your free moments.
4. Get a gripper
A gripper is an awesome little device that will cost you about $5 on Ebay. You just pick it up and squeeze. I keep one on my computer table and by the TV and it has helped me build some strong and large forearms as well as avoid any wrist problems that can result from using the computer for too long.
5. STOP BLOGGING!
It is a real worry when people sit on the computer from 9 til well past 5 and don’t do any exercise at all! Blogging may be important, especially to all the probloggers out there, but there is no amount of adsense revenue that is worth losing your health over.
The habits you develop in front of a computer can filter into other areas of your life so make sure they are healthy ones.
May 7th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Man, I don’t know about the push ups, but I may definitely work on the other 5. Most people (me included) don’t see that, even though you may not feel like it, you’re harming your health by not taking care of yourself while working in front of the computer.
May 7th, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Yep, you’re right Rehuel, I don’ think people realize the extent of the damage they are possible causing.
Thanks for stopping by.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Thanks for this. It’s not even funny how many bad habits I’ve picked up over the last few years. Particularly the 10 push ups….lol. I’ll have to pick up some new habits.
May 7th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
William I know what you mean. I think we all get lazy when we’re bloggin!
May 8th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Thanks for the fitness ball and gripper tip. I should get that! I’m not sure about the nuts though.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:41 am
I found you from the ProBlogger Group Project. I never thought to sit on a fitness ball instead of a chair! Wow! Something so simple! Who would have thought?
May 8th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Gee… such a nice post!
My girlfriend always tells me that my addiction to blogging may affect my health. Especially because I tend to blog for hours without eating to much. Your last tip really hit me hard. hehe.
Your tips can be really helpful. I myself do a couple of stretchings why thinking of a post but doing pushup every mail is a little too much. hahaha!
A very nice read!
If you have time, why don’t you drop by my post:
http://mobileko.blogspot.com/2007/05/snatch-top-5-tips-on-how-to-be.html
It’s also an entry for the problogger top 5- group writing project. ^^ Goodluck to us all!
May 8th, 2007 at 5:01 am
Great tips! I would try doing numbers 2 and 3.
Good luck!
May 8th, 2007 at 6:26 am
10 push-ups after each email? whooah! i’ll never get any work done, then! haha!
but you’re right, sitting long hours in front of my pc has left its mark on my body shape:( thanks for the tips!
May 8th, 2007 at 7:21 am
ten pushups between every email would really have me cursing the spammers, great ideas!
May 8th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Okay so people don’t like the ten pushups idea!
haha.
… 5 pushups then…
May 8th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
With the amount of email coming to my inbox guess thats what I will do all day….looooooooool Really enjoyed the article
May 8th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Great list - I actually like the push-up idea. The only problem is that I don’t think I can do 10! Which is really sad, really, and a sign that I need to institute some, if not all, of your list!.
Found you via the Problogger project. Here’s my post post if you’re interested.
May 8th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I found you from the ProBlogger Writing Project. I like the thoughts behind your post. Please do not fall off the therapy ball, however.
May 8th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Thanks for reminding me just how unfit I am. I tried the 10 push ups after each email tip. I to the 2nd email then deleted the rest.
Goodluck in the competition.
Ian
May 8th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
Thanks for the tips! I’m a relatively new mother, so I already have some extra weight I need to work off. The worst thing I can do is add non-exercise to it. I’ll start today. I heard somewhere that it might be a good idea to stand up while working at your computer…standing is apparently better for your body than sitting. Alternatively, maybe I’ll go get a ball to sit on.
*Found you on the ProBlogger Top Five*
May 8th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Great ideas, Ramsay! I’ve done #4 in the past but gotten out of the habit. It’s so easy to do and it really does help. Thanks for the reminder!
May 8th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Nice blog…great tips. Good luck with the comp!
May 8th, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for the great reminder about getting a fitness to ball sit on. I thought about doing it for the office, but I never thought about doing it at home. (And since I never actually got around to getting one for the office, now I shall have to buy two!)
I might eat all the nuts at once - I love them. I find that getting up and going to the gym before I do anything else at all means I can blog all I want guilt-free. And as a bonus, you get lots of great blog material when you work out in the early morning with the other crazy endorphin addicts…
Julie
May 8th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
I agree, missing out on exersize is a bad thing especially if you spend all your time sitting in front of a computer. I know I do! I am actually at this moment lying on the couch while I type this with a laptop, but then I severed my Achilles tendon playing baseball and now I have to keep my leg elevated above my heart as much as I can else the pain it ridiculous. I did get my tendon surgically re-attached but that’s where the pain is coming from. 3 weeks so far… at least 4 more to go before I can use my leg and then I have to do physio.
Anyway I try to get up and move around as much as possible. I’ve been trying to do little crunches too while I lay here. Anything because I know I’m not loosing weight laying down
Thanks for the tips!
May 8th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
Thanks for all the comments guys. I hope some of you actually implement some of the steps!
I’d love to see Darren do 10 pushups after each email, I think he would be the next Mr. Olympia!
May 8th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
We all need to balance our time in front of a screen and keep our body moving. I have written a post about the importance of being fit that you may enjoy:
http://ww-success.com/blog/index.php/2006/10/22/how-physical-fitness-influences/
Good luck with the group writing project.
May 8th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
I love the tips. I’m not sure I could do the exercise ball thing. One episode of the Office had Dwight on one looking rather goofy. I’m not sure my poor self-image could take a hit thinking I’m that much like Dwight.
May 9th, 2007 at 3:37 am
Great list! I’ve instituted some measures of my own including walking to get post ideas and apples or nuts for a snack. I am going to try your suggestion of situps as well- I use my computer on my couch (Back injury) so I think I can add some crunches in there!
May 9th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Are there some easier ways. I can’t reach my computer sitting on an exercise ball.
May 9th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Ah Pek, if your desk is too high that you cant reach the computer when sitting on a fitness ball it might mean your desk is too high. You should be looking slightly down at your screen for good posture.
If not, youll have to just be mindful of your back and neck - keep your shoulders slightly back and the crown of your head high.
RT
May 9th, 2007 at 7:37 am
Hi
Nice top 5
I’ve just started using an excercise ball as a blogging seat 2 weeks ago. It has really made a difference to my back and abs. My blog is all about running, so it seems strange that I spend so much time blogging about running that I could be doing my health some damage. Nice tips. I particularly like the last one. We all have to learn when to stop and take a break
Thanks
Tom
May 9th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I actually just bought a fitness ball for stretching. I think they are great for all kinds of exercises, I never thought to try it while at the computer. Thanks!
May 9th, 2007 at 10:28 am
Okay, so I went to the other end of the house, got the fitness ball from my husbands work out corner. This is pretty comfy except my feet don’t touch the ground unless I do more of a lean. Is this normal??
It is however a pretty good height for typing.
May 9th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
This is a good practical set of ideas, may have a go at them!
May 9th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Thanks so much everyone! I’m so glad some of you are trying out the tips.
Jennifer, your feet should be able to touch the ground otherwise you will start to slouch.
Cheers
May 10th, 2007 at 2:45 am
Linkback: http://stronglifts.com/problogger-top-5-group-writing-project/
May 10th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Hey, this is some cool advice. Well written, too. I knew there was a reason why I keep that bowl o’ nuts next to me on the desk. Thanks, RT, for the inspiration. I could not agree with you more about “no amount of adsense is worth it.” Amen to that!
Rock on,
Dina
May 10th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Love it! I’m pleased to see I was already doing a few of those. I’ll go swap out my chair for my ball–right after I subscribe to your blog.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:03 am
Great list! You couldnt make this list pre blogging…ie, circa 1998.
May 12th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Good tips, count me in.
November 17th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Awesome Article! this one goes in my favorites…
November 27th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Very interesting… as always! Cheers from -Switzerland-.