Keeping fit, self employed

[wheel]

As Incredibill noted in a supporters thread, 'round is a shape'. And for those of you who know me, I'm all kinds of that shape.

If you're self employed/work from home computer type, how do you keep in shape?

I'm also curious about comments - we have a full home gym (treadmill, weight center, free weights, the works) that would gather dust except my wife uses them religiously. Not me. Bill's comments however prompted me to wonder - would I do better having a treadmill right in my office? Anyone have fitness equipment in the same room as their computer? More motivating? Just another place to store antique computer equipment?

[Swanny007]

I'll start off by saying I have the popular pear shape ;-)

I've got a treadmill but I don't use it much. I've taken up walking lately. I bought a Garmin Forerunner 301 which tracks my heartrate, speed, distance, calories burned, etc, and lets you upload it to MotionBased.com where it gives you a nice map of where you walked. It's my motivation. I try to go further each time and burn more calories. It's easier to do when the weather is nice.

I wouldn't want the treadmill in my office. I have an unfinished basement and I'm thinking of putting in a small fitness room so stuff like the treadmill doesn't turn into big clothes hangers ;-)

[ken_b]

would I do better having a treadmill right in my office?

As I think I mentioned in the other thresd I have a treadmill right next to my desk. I hop on it whenever I'm frustrated, bored, stuck, etc.

Still not a lot, but I try for at least a couple miles a day.

It's a lot more user friendly than running off to the gym, and I'm not getting a rounder either!

[rocker]

I have a home gym that is equipped with a treadmill, free weights and a multi-station machine.

The only thing that gets good use is the treadmill, I use it to store my fishing gear.

I have a hard time working out at home, so 6 months ago I began going to the gym everyday for 1 1/2 hours and every evening I go on a 2 mile walk. This has worked out pretty good for me, so far I lost 40 pounds.

Now if I could just stay away from the late night snacks.

[zCat]

I do about 20 minutes of intensive cycling each morning which gets me awake. And go swimming twice a week. I also live at the top of 5 flights of stairs (no elevator), and own no car (=lots of walking). Unfortunately I suspect it's still not enough... Or maybe I need to cut down on the beer.

[Marshall]

My right arm gets a good workout lifting the mug (coffee that is)

Marshall

[Rightz]

Make a point of using up the milk/bread each night. In the morning it means you need to walk to the shop so you can have anything to eat/drink. Its the little things that add up if you're a lazy as me!

[walkman]

turn the TV on and WALK on the treadmill at 4.5 miles an hour at 10 or so elevation. OR, even better, use the cardio option. The TV will make it go faster

[LifeinAsia]

The best thing to do is setup a routine and stick to it, whether it means hopping on the treadmill for 15 minutes after every 2-3 hours of work or dedicating x minutes every day to exercise, or whatever.

Of course, this can be very difficult depending on the type of work you do. For example, as a programmer, it's often difficult to stop what I'm doing at a set time, because I'm usually right in the middle of something and will lose my train of thought when I come back to it. Likewise, if I am at a good stopping point 20 minutes before a scheduled "break" or stopping time, I'm not going to be very productive for the next 20 mintes, so I might as well take my break or knokck off for the day then.

[timster]

I've worked from home just occasionally. My habit was to cling to the delusion that the office was a 20 minute "commute" away. Before working and after quitting, I walked or cycled.

A pleasant commute like this is actually a pretty nice way to gather thoughts and switch mental gears between home and work. Easy-to-understand for spouses too.

[Gibble]

Join a team sport. Your team will keep you motivated. Doesn't matter what it is, just as long as the people you play with are there for fun, first and foremost.

I play touch football, started 3 seasons ago, and 90% of my team is guys I grew up with and long time friends. We only won 2 games that year, but it was a blast. This year, I'm on two teams. It's only a day or two a week, and it's cheap. About $100 a person for the year (16 games + playoffs).

And best of all, it doesn't matter if you're old, young, overweight, whatever. You just have fun.

It beats going to the gym, and you don't miss games because it's both fun, and your friends don't let you!

My .02