Healthy Living

Saturday, November 7, 2009

10 ways to get fit while you’re glued to the computer

Addicted to Twitter? Hooked on FaceBook? Can’t get enough of your favorite blogs and websites? It seems there are so many more reasons to stay online these days… which means endless hours of sitting. But since that is just so unhealthy, I’ve come up with some ideas to help you get fit while you're online - exercises to get your heart rate up, help you tone up, and de-stress. All at the comfort of that computer desk you're glued to ... or close by.  

1.Cyber Squats - Who says you have to sit when you're online? Set your chair aside for a few minutes and instead do squats as you cruise around the Web. I'm squatting right now as I write this - ouch!
Try these Shotgun Squats

2. RSS Raises – As you're sitting at your desk, straighten your knees and lift your legs out in front of you. Do this as you catch up on your favorite blogs on your RSS reader. What the heck is RSS?

3. 10 Minute Move it! Break #1 – Alternate jogging in place with jumping jacks – do a minute of each and repeat 5 times.

4. Twitter Tummy Tone - Tighten your abs for 30 seconds and then release. Do this as you tweet. Tweet me here

5. Social Squeezes – Tighten your glutes for 30 seconds and then release. (Good thing noone can see you at this social, right?) Repeat as you Stumble, Digg, or Friend on Facebook.

6. 10 Minute Move it! Break #2 – Grab a step stool and climb up and down – get creative if you like and alternate knee lifts at the top of the step. Or how 'bout a creative housecleaning workout break?

7. Inbox Incline - While you're sitting with your feet on the floor, raise your heels so you are on the balls of your feet and lower them. Make sure you can feel it in your calves. Do this as you read and reply to your emails.

8. 10 Minute Move it! Break #3 – Do walking lunges around the house or office. Want to make it more challenging? Add some weights and do bicep curls at the same time. Or try some of Jamie Eason's plyometrics moves

9. Blogger Breather - Grab a quick minute to just close your eyes and focus on your breath. Count to 10 as you slowly inhale through your nose, thinking positive thoughts. Exhale through your mouth, again counting to 10. This time release all the tension and stress out of your body. Repeat if you have a few more seconds.

10. Sign Off Stretches. Your neck and shoulders can get pretty tense when you sit at a computer too long. So loosen them up throughout the day with:
a) Shoulder shrugs - with your head at your chest, shrug your shoulders up and down.
b) Neck Rolls - relax your shoulders and let your head roll forward. Slowly rotate your head in a circle. Repeat five times.

Do these exercises throughout the day to avoid becoming a computer potato!  

Anyone else have some online exercises to share?

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[photo credit: stock.xchng]


 
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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 33
  • al's Avatar
    Posted by al Thu Apr 9, 2009 3:18pm PDT

    This is sooooo cool I'm diggin the ingenuity! I love the idea of multi-tasking... Thanks for the inspiration

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  • Doktor Eevol's Avatar
    Posted by Doktor Eevol Thu Apr 9, 2009 7:16pm PDT

    I have an idea - hook up your puter to an electric generating bicycle. Then you'll not only be getting in shape but helping the environment too.

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  • config_error's Avatar
    Posted by config_error Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:42am PDT

    done this while playing starcraft. preparing for wcg philippies :D

    http://www.nsfive.net

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  • man2k's Avatar
    Posted by man2k Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:57am PDT

    I've been doing some of the routines mentioned... but what I am suffering now is an RSI on my right wrist because of using mouse too much... I guess I need a text-to-speech software on my PC and will just do some talking rather than clicking. Nice article by the way! And if any of you guys really are serious to get in shape but have tried so much dieting before, please do read my published article, its entitled "Losing Weight Without Starving" - http://is.gd/qxFu Thanks!

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  • whitehairedlady's Avatar
    Posted by whitehairedlady Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:11am PDT

    got an idea ,better limit being a computer freak

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  • Maria LuisaG's Avatar
    Posted by Maria LuisaG Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:28am PDT

    Sit on your chair with your legs up and crossed yoga-style. Very relaxing and keeps your back straight.

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  • FatFighterTV's Avatar
    Posted by FatFighterTV Fri Apr 10, 2009 9:55am PDT

    mllgarcia - I will have to try that one!

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  • myrnaa's Avatar
    Posted by myrnaa Fri Apr 10, 2009 3:35pm PDT

    Thank you very much, i need that because i want to stay fit

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  • John's Avatar
    Posted by John Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:06pm PDT

    10ways to get fit is good for people who loves computer so much but i think no one can do it coz as i obsurve they are all busy chatting and only there fingers,head are moving while typing and reading anyway if you can do it thats good for you. thnks!

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  • 's Avatar
    Posted by Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:50pm PDT

    k, i'll do it....

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