My adventures with a standing desk

I made a bold move on Monday afternoon at work.

I got 3 empty cardboard boxes on Monday and I propped up my monitors and my keyboard.

And then I moved my desk chair aside and stayed standing.

Truthfully, I thought it would last about 20 minutes.

But now it is Thursday and I’m still standing at work.

Have you heard of a standing desk? I’ve heard of the idea and dismissed the idea as one for a crazy person.

But there are strong health benefits to standing at work.

“A study from American Cancer Society researchers finds its not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death. Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level.”

To read the study, click here. Basically the jist is – if you sit all day, you are not long for this world.

For the last … way too many years… I sit all day at work, then I go home and sit all night.

So far

I really thought there is no way I’d do this long term, but it really hasn’t been that difficult, and I’m in the worst shape of my life.

Improvements noticed so far:

• feet a little sore, but not as bad as I thought. I switch between two pairs of shoes every hour or so.
• My posture is drastically different already. I’m sitting at my desk at home and I’m not slouched leaning on the back of the chair. In fact my back isn’t even leaning against the chair.
• I feel taller
• I no longer have to turn the space heater on in my office to thaw out my hands. In fact I’m warm all day. Yesterday I had the window open.
• I move all day – stretching, squatting, bouncing, pacing
• I feel alive
• I don’t get tired. I don’t yawn.
• I look out the window more
• I’m hungrier

I watched a video today from a really fit trainer guy who was explaining the important things to do while you are standing all day. He said it is very important to keep your feet pointing forward, and not sideways like a duck (the way mine have been for as long as I can remember). He gave good suggestions for stretching during the day and recommended a ball to roll under your foot once in awhile. He goes barefoot and leans on a step stool from time to time.