My desk chair was killing me06 Dec 2010 08:41 am
I spent two weeks testing a standing desk in my home office and my life is forever changed.
The desk made such a difference in my productivity, my back pain, and my general health that I had to have one. I couldn’t quite swing the $700-plus price tag so I rigged together my own standing desk.
Clearly, it’s not the most beautiful thing to behold, and I’m probably risking computer catastrophe if someone slams a door too hard. But I’m willing to face that risk in order to stand up for my health.
Here’s a video wrapping up my experience, the people I talked to and the overall benefits of getting up from a desk chair that may be killing you:
December 6th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
As I sit in my desk chair — back killing me — I’ve decided to follow your example and start standing up to work more. You did a great job on this video report and convinced me to give it a try. Thanks!
December 6th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Background noise is too loud, difficult to hear you.
December 6th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Good for you Anita. You’re going to be amazed at the difference.
And S. Smith — Is the music in the background too loud?
December 7th, 2010 at 4:39 am
YOU are the only girl in the entire universe who could possibly make Donald Rumsfeld remotely, I mean by a gnat’s broken eyelash physically attractive. That was a brilliant portrayal of opposites I have ever seen! I’m talking ugly and beautiful!!
This journalistic opus is a genuinely brilliant item. It is absolutely going to inspire many to stand up. Perhaps for many, for many reasons it would difficult to do so. I am curious if there is any data or any personal experience if you were to do both fro time to time??
Although I am now almost 50 and working in a physical technician’s job, I recall the image of me in my 30’s as as super..I mean SUPER salesman sitting on my ass either at my desk with the phone in my ear, or in the car during the pre-cell era listening to those head banging rock and roll tunes!!
I was all of 5′8″ and I peaked at about 250 pounds!! I remember I was always given the role of Santa and for a while I thought my name was fat ass. I learned that you have to become active to make your body come alive and it is well worth it even in some conformed moderation. With no dieting I weigh about 185 now and I have been full of energy for years now.
Thank you for another wonderful and laudatory story!!
December 7th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Eve, I started standing after seeing your first post about it. I rigged my own standing space by using completely full file boxes and elevating my computer and a couple of boxes to make writing and work space.
My back felt much better after a couple of days of standing, but my legs and feet ached. I felt I’d get used to that so I kept standing.
The standing did not relieve my backaches as I thought they would so after a week, I sat back down on my extra large yoga ball.
Since I started and stopped my standing desk trial, I had an MRI where it was discovered I have a fractured disk and will see a neurologist for treatment.
This explains why the standing desk didn’t work for me. However, I understand that once the inflamation and other fracture related inconveniences are fixed, I can go back to all things normal and will try the standing desk again.
December 11th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
HI Eve,
I didn’t recognize you!
I put a yoga mat on the floor in my kitchen in lieu of one of those more expensive fatigue mats. I’d like to try your standing desk + a yoga mat for standing. (I’d turn the music off. I couldn’t tell where the sound was coming from, then realized it was part of the video. Not needed.)
Thanks!
Patijo