Get some exercise [Notes from the Virtual Office]

I know, I know, it’s cliché. I’m writing about it because I just had a personal encounter with exercise that I found quite relevant to my working life. I’ve been rock climbing (mostly just gym climbing with a few outdoor trips) for several years now - this summer, though, a confluence of wedding planning and a soul crushing workload conspired to keep me out of the gym for maybe 4 or 5 months. Because I was so busy, I just never made time to do anything physical and basically sat on my ass.

Recently I started complaining of all sorts of problems I hadn’t complained about in years, primarily lower back and neck pain. It’s that soreness and aching that just sucks. Sleeping was less comfortable because my neck hurt and sitting at the computer all day had my back in pain and even the occasional twinge in my arms. That didn’t help my workday in the least - some days really felt like a chore to grind out.

It puzzled me because I haven’t really had those problems for years, sure every now and then a little soreness here or there but not the everyday sort of annoyance. As I thought about it, I realized it was because I just hadn’t been doing anything and my normally gigantic muscles had shriveled and weren’t up to the task of keeping my back straight and my neanderthal head up all day. So, despite the social inertia that had developed I found my way back to the rock gym twice a week and just a couple weeks in I can already feel those aches and pains dissipating (sure it’s replaced with a different kind of soreness, but that’s the good kind).

It doesn’t take much, just start doing something - whatever you can motivate yourself to go to. I highly recommend climbing it was one of the first things I did that I actually loved and worked for me. It turns out I’m just not a regular gym person. Yoga is another great thing to try. If you can motivate at a gym, more power to you - but maybe you ought to think about a personal trainer if you can’t. Or just do some crunches and jump rope at your house! Or find a playground to work out at. There’s tons of options - find one that you’ll like and actually do.

If you aren’t exercising try it - even just a little bit a couple times a week can help. Sitting at a chair for a living can be tough on the body (and not in a good way) - if you exercise it’ll make the workday that much easier. And come on - if you’re working from home you’ve got a flexible schedule, take a little time in the morning or afternoon to do something. Try it for a couple weeks and tell me if it don’t help. :)

Nov 27th, 2007 · Comments RSS · · · · · Tags: exercise · nvo