Steps to better health
October 6, 2009A while back, I made a post about how annoyingly cluttered my office was. (I did clean it up after I posted that one, by the way.) But one thing that’s always bothered me about what I do for a living is the hit my health is taking. I sit – SIT – for anywhere from 8-16 hours per day – even on weekends – depending on what I’m working on. (This is actually one of the big things that triggered this sabbatical-taking: my business was owning ME instead of me owning it.) My health was taking a serious hit, too. In the time since I’ve started my business, I’ve had two children. As any woman knows (whether you have children or not) the after-the-kid weight isn’t so easy to take off. You know. Unless you’re like, Angelina Jolie and have a gazillion personal trainers and a bulemic diet.
Then, somehow, I saw this, and a light bulb went on over my head.
We’ve owned a treadmill for about 3 years now. I honestly believe our treadmill gets more “workout time” than your average Joe gives theirs – we’ve never used it as a clothes hanger 
However, the workout time we get is sporadic. Stuff always seems to “get in the way” of us taking time out to stay healthy.
I say “us,” by the way, because my husband is involved in this very much. I’ve always called us “Jack Sprat and his wife,” because my hubby is a stick. He’s just not happy with his cholesterol levels (which is funny, because mine are awesome. It appears my fat prefers to stay visible, rather than remain hidden in arteries. Yay for me.)
I have noticed a trend, though – when I get on the “health kick,” my husband seems to follow me. Which is cool – except that I’m easily sidetracked. But I’m tired of it. I want my health to be a priority in my life. Plus I’m tired of people asking me when I’m due. (Life lesson here, people: if you don’t know FOR A FACT that someone is pregnant, NEVER ask them when they are due. Seriously.) But the issue has always been being sidetracked and not working it into my day.
I used to be a runner in high school (sprinter: I was a 200- and 100-yard-dash kind of gal on the track team. They started me out on the long jump – which was a really bad idea LOL) I loved running. So we got the treadmill – and rarely used it.
Oh, if only I could combine my treadmill with my computer desk.
Oh wait, we did!
This is a simple prototype my husband came up with over the weekend. Right now, I’m testing it out to see how comfortable and usable it is. If it works well, then he’s going to use this prototype as a frame and build out some serious deskage.
I walked on it for 2 hours straight yesterday, took a break, and then another 2 hours later in the day. I’ve read that a lot of people can go 6-8 hours on it, but I don’t think I quite have that tolerance built up yet. But 4 hours on your first day is pretty good, I think. I’m actually walking on it right now. the typing takes a little getting used to, but otherwise, it’s pretty cool. I can honestly say that my energy levels were up yesterday as well – normally I’m dog-tired, especially around the 2-3pm mark. Didn’t happen yesterday. And I also felt a lot more productive – I seemed to stay focused and got a lot more done in a shorter amount of time.
I’ll keep this updated so you can see how it goes – but so far, I think this idea is a winner. At least I’m not just sitting on my ass all day.
P.O. Box 46
I’ve got a bit of “self employment weight” to shift too. Wouldn’t you agree that part of it is down to the fact that running your own business eliminates so much stress from your life? No commuting, no office politics, no office BS, no unhealthy office lunches, no gritting your teeth while your co-workers engage in a two-hour psychological dissection of last night’s “Big Brother”, etc…
Wonder of wonders, you do put on a little weight when your body isn’t in defensive mode 12 hours a day. I kind of like it.
Oh, I agree. I detest office gossip – and there’s always someone who just is so venomous at work that it takes everything you’ve got to not go postal on them.
In my case, though, he weight is seriously way too much. I won’t even tell you how much I weigh, but I cannot stand it. I don’t plan – or even want – to get down to the weight I was in high school, but it would be nice to get back down to my personal “normal”range – which is funny, because my doctor still tells me I’m overweight at that weight (and I tell him to shove it, usually. LOL)
But I also think that running your own business brings on new stresses too – but still, at least they are the stresses that you bring upon yourself and can always do something about. Which, actually, is what I’m trying to do now
Shelly, great idea with the treadmill desk! I SIT in front of a computer for my day job and was also concerned about the unhealthy nature of that. I started commuting by bike a few years ago and that has done the trick for me. Your solution is awesome for people who work at home or don’t/won’t/can’t commute by bike or feet.
I actually found your blog on the Wordpress forum. You solved my post-by-email ugly text problem! Yes, I use Outlook as my email client. I am now experimenting with Plain Text. Thanks for the help!