We all know the benefits of exercise, but if you are like me, you are sitting at your computer 12 or more hours each day. I’m the first to admit that it’s tough to stay in shape when you are always staring at the computer screen. I have a gym membership and I have a treadmill in my house, yet, I still don’t take the time necessary to unplug and exercise enough.
I’m happy to report that with a little research, I have now found some exercises that we can all do from our desk! Granted, we won’t look like Carmen Electra from doing these simple things, but we will definitely benefit from the stretching and the moving just the same.
1. Side Stretches
Gently lean over to each side as far as you can go while sitting in your office chair. You don’t even have to take your eyeballs of the monitor to do this one. According to http://www.associatedcontent.com, you can really “whittle your waist and keep your spine aligned and supple” by doing this very simple exercise.
2. The George Costanza
I found this exercise on http://fitness.wikia.com and it totally cracks me up: “Get under your desk — really. Get onto your knees and hold onto the desk with both hands. Place your neck between your arms and while straightening out your back, shoulders, and waist. Then, slowly, squeeze your body downwards. Continue the motion by straightening out your body and bending backwards.” I love that Seinfeld episode where he takes naps under his desk.
3. Buns of Steel
According to this article in the Online Nursing Degree Directory, you will notice tighter buns in only a few weeks from squeezing your butt muscles, holding for 10 seconds and releasing. You have to do this a minimum of 10 times per session. This exercise will prevent “office chair spread.” As long as you are squeezing stuff in that area, you can go ahead and do your Kegel exercises too! Ladies, you know the added pleasure you can add to your sexual experience by exercising your… err… va jay jay (Oprah’s word – google it). The tighter you squeeze, the better results you’ll get.
4. Up and Down the Stairs
If your office is in your home, consider moving it so that you are forced to go up and down the stairs often. I recently relocated my home office to the downstairs. I am constantly going up the stairs for water, to receive packages, to make tea, to take care of my dogs, etc… I probably go up and down the stairs 50 times each day, which is great exercise. I can feel it in my legs.
5. The Funky Chicken
This is another great exercise I found on http://www.ondd.org. “Put your fingertips on your shoulders and lift your elbows up and then push them down to your sides, as if you’re trying to fly.” You know, funky chicken style. Tip: You might want to make sure nobody is watching you before you do this.
6. Lift that Body!
I do this one every day. Just put your hands on the arms of your chair and lift your body up. Repeat this as many times as you can. I always feel so good after doing this.
There is a fabulous in depth article written about this topic on WebMD. According to that article, “We are made to move, not sit at a desk 12 hours a day.” If you have time, you can read the entire article by clicking here. It is a great reminder that we need to move to stay healthy!
This is what I would really like for my office! Santa, are you reading this?
