I recently saw an article on Business Week about how "your office chair is killing you," meaning that sitting all day long in an office chair is bad for your health. Duh! While doing some research for this article, though, I found this delicious post entitled,
Your Office Chair is NOT Killing You, on a blog by someone who calls herself "Siouxsy Law," making me think she's a lawyer. There is also a link to the original article mentioned in Business Week. I like her take on this. It is also worthwhile reading the comments at the bottom of the post.
However, it really is true that we shouldn't spend long hours in front of our computers, or our TVs, or in our recliners without doing something useful with the rest of our bodies. It doesn't have to be much. (Even fidgeting and wiggling around is better than no movement at all, it seems.) In my exercise class, we use resistance bands along with weights to increase our muscle tone. These puppies really work, and they are easy to take along with you when you travel, come in easy to hard resistance, and they can be discreetly placed next to your easy chair to remind you to pick one up. Imagine yourself as this young lady sitting in your recliner and pulling on the bands. (Okay, she might be a little younger than most of us.)
Resistance training can also increase your leg and arm strength. These bands can be purchased in long strips (like in this picture) or in loops. All I do if I want a loop is tie the ends together. With the ends together, I can put the band over my knees and try to push them apart, strengthening my inner thighs. Or I put the band over my head and try to force my arms apart, making the resistance just as much as I want by moving my hand closer or farther from the end.
You can also get these at just about any store that sells exercise equipment. If you were looking for something to do while watching old reruns of NCIS instead of snacking, this might do the trick.
:-)
This might be something for me. I am looking online these days for weights to wear on my wrist when I am exercising to my exercise tapes. I have a very good office chair for my computer desk by the way.
ReplyDeleteKeeping your muscles in tone is so important. After squash twice a week I make sure to do some calisthenics to firm up various areas. Push ups and leg stretches from a prone position exercise so many muscle groups and keep the gut in check for example.
ReplyDeleteI am totally a lawyer! Great post. Thanks for the link. I'm enjoying your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhen I ran the Assisted Living facility, we had seniors use these...sometimes to music...they are wonderful and easy to pack if you go on a trip!
ReplyDeleteI own a set of three resistance bands and a few weights, I should use them more than I do though!
ReplyDeleteD-Jan,always good to read your posts.Maybe I should get one too.Your quite right,we should'nt spend so much time in a chair,it is unhealthy and I've got pain in my neck as I type this.
ReplyDeleteThis blogging thing keeps me busy when I'm not traveling or doing some work around the home.
Have a lovely day.
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ReplyDeleteFor people, like me, with all sorts of breathing problems and almost any exertion can disable me for several minutes, or longer, this kind of exercise is essential if I want to continue creeping along at a creep.
ReplyDeleteHere is the response to your comment on my Japanese Lacquerware post...
♥ Reply to DJan—
Yes, the people are still there. If you try the links you can go there in one click. You may have to scroll down but look for Lacquerware
Great suggestion...I'll have to pick some up. I also like isometrics if having to sit in a chair for a long length of time or driving for a distance.
ReplyDeleteI have one of those resistance bands but heaven only knows where it is. Perhaps I'll walk over to the mall today and purchase some new ones and some hand weights. Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteErr, no thanks, not for me except perhaps to ping at L during the world cup England versus USA game on 11th June!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
I know I have at least 1 or 2 sets of those resistance bands somewhere in my house, probably buried in the garage somewhere. Maybe I'll try to find them... after I watch this next movie, that is. ;-)
ReplyDeletethose are fun, i like them.
ReplyDeletei go to the pool at the gym and water jog. i use in water weights, and let me tell ya, that is good resistance!
but it's not like you can drag a pool around as easily as those bands!
Okay, obviously it's healthier to move around than to sit nonstop but seriously, can people not get up and move around on their own? Does it have to be mandated by work? This was an interesting article; thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminder about the resistance bands. I have some but so rarely use them. I think Jordan would have fun helping me-we did Pilates together yesterday! By the way, that last line could have been directed to me (I love NCIS).
I have a little stool under my desk and when I think about it, I do leg raises by raising the stool too!
ReplyDeleteI rarely sit still for very long even when watching TV but I do have a set of bands near the sofa. I sometimes wear ankle weights while mowing the lawn but I should wear them more.
ReplyDeleteGood idea - chair exercise.
ReplyDeletefun, but also health-related! ;o) I've actually been using these in rehab these past several months! Some of the exercises my fisiotherapist has had me doing to fortify my muscle ankles (after a serious sprain) involved this thingy tied to a bar and me pulling at it by moving my foot to one side and then the other. Oh, and also using it like in the above photo. I've been thinking of heading up to Decathlon to look for one for more working out at home since I finished rehab last week and I don't think the doc will order up any more sessions...
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