Staying fit in the office--help! I'm going back to work!

I'm just 2 weeks away from going back to the office full-time (YIKES!). It's going to be a major adjustment for me. I'm freaking out about the 1 hour commute each way and being stuck in a cramped office.

I already have a cool stability ball office chair on order. I also plan on walking, running, or biking on my lunch breaks (major pain as we have no locker rooms or showers AND they've stopped stocking paper--just air dryers). But I'm committing to it no matter how much work it is.

I'm looking for suggestions and tips to stay active at work as well as ways to freshen-up after a workout when you are limited to a handicap bathroom stall, a faucet, and a blow dryer for the hands.

Thanks!

I'm also looking into one of these? Has anyone one used one before?

Wet wipes! I was a truck driver for years and showers can be hard to come by. Wet wipes where my best friend.
You can pick up a small and cheap pedal exerciser from Wallmart to live under your desk so you can spin from time to time.
A set of hand weights or resistance tubing can be used to get micro burst work outs in.
Do sitting exercises at your desk, and use a smaller glass for water so you need to get up and walk to the water cooler more often.

Good luck at the new job!

just poked your link, yes they can get over heated but they work, you can also pull it up on the desk and use for upper arm work out.

Stand-up desks are expensive, but you can jury-rig one with an inexpensive tall adjustable laptop/monitor stand plus an add-on shelf (or just another stand) for your keyboard.

I used to use both the bath wipes you heat up in the microwave and a wet washcloth with soap. The soap and water felt cleaner. Have a small water absorbable towel and facecloth, deodorant, and hair gel. Keep this stuff at work.

I'm not sure where your office is, i.e., whether it's part of a bigger commerical area, but you might see what other facilities are nearby. I work in the downtown Indy, and between other office buildings that have gyms and two nearby YMCA branches, there are places to shower and/or workout if I was need or want of such facilities. As it is, there is a gym and showers in my building. I typically don't shower when I work out; I just wipe down with a washcloth or baby wipes. I tend to do resistance work at lunch and don't get nearly as sweaty as I do when I run or ride though.

To be honest, I can't imagine trying to remember to do exercises while sitting at a desk, not even during short breaks. It just doesn't work for me, when I concentrate, I sit still. If I were you I'd try to establish habits that ensure a little activity. Always use the stairs, just pretend the elevator isn't there (or tell yourself it's just for wimps ;-). Obviously, try to see if you can work out a semi-commute by bike or run. Is there anywhere safe you could park a suitable bike ride away, and ride in from there? Make an appointment with a friend for some exercise in your lunch break - but you do need to eat too.

I feel a little like that after every vacation, when I go from being reasonably active all day to sitting still for hours at a time. But it seems to even out because I work harder when I exercise. It can be a blast to get in a good workout in the morning, and come into work all hoppy-peppy and get to sit down and relax, with a nice cup of tea :-)

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Originally Posted by indysteel

I'm not sure where your office is, i.e., whether it's part of a bigger commerical area, but you might see what other facilities are nearby. I work in the downtown Indy, and between other office buildings that have gyms and two nearby YMCA branches, there are places to shower and/or workout if I was need or want of such facilities. As it is, there is a gym and showers in my building. I typically don't shower when I work out; I just wipe down with a washcloth or baby wipes. I tend to do resistance work at lunch and don't get nearly as sweaty as I do when I run or ride though.

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There is a nice YMCA just 3 miles from the office--unfortunately I can't afford a membership right now. But that is definitely one of my goals!!!

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Originally Posted by lph

To be honest, I can't imagine trying to remember to do exercises while sitting at a desk, not even during short breaks. It just doesn't work for me, when I concentrate, I sit still.

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I'm the same way. Luckily, I've found that I can stand still and be productive/focused as well as I can sit still (I have a standing desk at work). If it's an option, I would ask. For us, it was no more expensive than a regular desk because our cubes were already set up to work either way. Facilities just came and raised it for me one day. I just needed to get a tall 'stool' height chair which was the same price as the regular height ones anyway.

I agree with others about moving at lunch and trying the partial commute (ie, park part of the way in and bike the balance). Also, don't forget to check with your new employer about discounted Y memberships.

The spray "dry shampoo" works very well for restoring "helmet hair" if you bike at lunch (or bike commute and need to look presentable) :)

I don't remember how you do your hair, but a curling iron stashed at the office has helped me, too. (I even used to have a butane one for when I rode the motorcycle to hearings in a building where the restroom had no electrical outlet near the mirrors.)

On the other front ... at a standing desk, you can stand on one leg periodically, and get a lot of core, proprioceptive and stabilizer muscle work without the distraction of movement.

Soooo I was thinking I did not love the idea of commuting part way to work. But, it just occurred to me the $$ we'd save in gas! I'm going to have to start looking for a good commuting route!