Tales from a Mid-Lifer

If Sitting is the New Smoking…

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Mid-Life Mama

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Then I must be up to three packs a day.

Since beginning my new job this past Spring, I have felt terribly restricted.

The amount of time I spend sitting is outrageous.

Driving to work.

Sitting in my office.

Meetings.

Driving home from work…in traffic – delaying me in my seat even longer.

I’m still an online professor, even though I left on-campus teaching to take this new job. The new semester just started. More sitting in front of a computer at home.

I’m tutoring on Saturdays.

More sitting.

When I’m not engaged in any of my formal “work”, I’ve been trying really hard to be moving, doing yoga, walking at the park, running the stairs 5x when it’s raining…you get the idea.

I love to read, blog and write. Lately, those have been set aside in an effort to stay healthy :/.

Despite my best efforts to be active in the off-hours, I’m finding my pants are a bit more snug. I got on the scale.

That will be my next post…

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32 responses to “If Sitting is the New Smoking…”

  1. JanBeek Avatar
    JanBeek

    “Sitting is the new smoking” – ah, I had not heard that before. Sounds logical. I have the same problem – with less viable excuses. Gotta get movin…

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      We must get up and keep moving (even when we really don’t feel like it😄)🏃🏼‍♀️!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. JanBeek Avatar
        JanBeek

        Yup!

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. Nova Avatar
          Nova

          Makes sense but now my brain struggles to find a suggestion to assist you with this issue🤔🤔🤔

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply
  2. Michele Kearns Avatar
    Michele Kearns

    I feel your pain. Two and a half years ago I began working as a virtual customer service representative and eventually moved into a virtual logistics position. It is so challenging staying active when restricted to a desk unable to get up and go ask a coworker something or chat at the kitchenette. I hired someone to do my yard so I could spend my days off AWAY from my house, whether it is walking, or sitting at Panera on a rainy day. Moving and being around people is crucial to mental and physical health. Praying you find a routine that works for you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      You get it! I walk the hallway at work a few times a day but it’s no replacement for the movement and freedom in higher education. Good for you making the commitment to be active during your days off-it’s important!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. lghiggins Avatar
    lghiggins

    Life changes can be positive, but challenging. When I retired from teaching (elementary school), I found I had really been moving around all day without thinking about it. I wish you well as you find the compromise that works best for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      You can relate having been an elementary teacher. While I’m in this particular season of sedentary work, it’s a must to be exercising in the off-hours. Thank you for your comment💗.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Letitgocoach Avatar
    Letitgocoach

    Relatable. Being a virtual assistant, I spend a lot of time sitting in front of a computer. Eventually it took away the pleasurable things I did, like writing and connecting with friends. When I would visit a neighbor, they would say, “Sit down”, and I couldn’t do it because of the amount of time already spent sitting. I would stand and visit! 🙂

    I’ve learned to get all my work done at one sitting and then move around. Write before work and if I’m not working, I’m moving. Wishing you the very best lovely. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      Great job managing your work and exercise while still making time to write!👏🏻!

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Letitgocoach Avatar
        Letitgocoach

        It took time and determination to follow the heart. Work is work but writing is joy. Oh, and I don’t exercise. That word just sounds terrible at this stage of life. I walk to see a neighbor or just around the block, or take my paddleboard down to the lake. Yoga is as close as I get to exercise anymore. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. Mama Duck Avatar
          Mama Duck

          Sounds perfect!😊

          Liked by 1 person

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          1. Letitgocoach Avatar
            Letitgocoach

            Nothing is perfect, but it’s beautiful. xx

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  5. AmyRose🌹 Avatar
    AmyRose🌹

    How I feel for you! I don’t sit well so when I was working sitting was not often. I like to stay active and moving. I encourage you to do all you can to stay moving … and believe me I know after working all day long that does not appeal much at all. Do it anyways ….. (smile)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      I try to make the time. I feel so restricted not being in motion so I usually make up for the sitting it just takes away from doing other fun things! Thanks for your comment!💗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. JT Twissel Avatar
    JT Twissel

    Your pants just shrunk in the wash is all.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      😄😄😄

      Like

      Reply
  7. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    I saw that claim, too. Someone will always find something that people could do better. Being sedentary has been criticized for years. Couch potato anyone? I confess that I’m annoyed that they’ve decided to compare it to smoking, a way to make it sound even worse. Scare tactics irritate me. I fidget; I’ve forgotten how often I’ve been told to hold still. Ha! I was right. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      😄Yes I sure hope there isn’t any research literally equating sitting to smoking!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. Anne Mehrling Avatar
    Anne Mehrling

    I began walking 25 years ago while working full time. It simply wouldn’t work for most people, but I got up an hour early to walk in the village before going to work. Now, because I avoid the sun, John and I walk just before the sun comes up. I sit a lot later in the day while blogging, and I don’t feel guilty about it. I hope you find things that work easily in your schedule.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      I love that you don’t feel guilty about it. You just enjoy your blogging time knowing you walked in the morning. And very impressive that you walked before work when you were full time!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. braveheart22 Avatar
    braveheart22

    I am in the exact same position as you. My entire life I have worked jobs that was either me walking around or standing. But, last year I got my first real office job and I have been there for nearly a year. I have found it incredibly difficult to motivate myself to be more active.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      I think it’s especially difficult for those of us who have had flexibility and mobility in previous jobs to go into such a restrictive office environment. We do have to force ourselves to get up and moving though🏃🏼‍♀️!

      Like

      Reply
  10. Mama's Empty Nest Avatar
    Mama’s Empty Nest

    After retiring from two different teaching positions, I found myself sitting way too much too. And of course those things I like to do best: reading, writing, blogging are done while sitting. A couple of years ago, one of my best friends and I decided to get busy. We walk early in the mornings about 3 days/week. We’d like to do more but other commitments keep us from it (for me, it’s chasing after my 4-year-old grandchild when I baby-sit her 3 days/week). You’ll figure out a good system for yourself.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      Chasing after your grandchild is also good exercise!
      I try to make time to be in motion during the off-hours but the fun things I enjoy that are sedentary get pushed aside😕. Different season of work right now but seasons eventually change…

      Like

      Reply
  11. gaillovesgod Avatar
    gaillovesgod

    It seems almost impossible to avoid to do a great deal of sitting. I pray you are able to find your perfect balance between you and the Lord. Meanwhile I hope to bless you by letting you know I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! May your blog continue to shine His Light!
    God loves you!
    https://gaillovesgod.blog/2019/09/15/sunshine-blogger-award-9-4-19/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      Thank you for this nomination😊but I am an award free blog. I am so thankful and appreciate your kind words.🙏🏻

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. gaillovesgod Avatar
        gaillovesgod

        That’s okay. I wasn’t sure about being award free, but it still allowed me to shine a little light your way. God is so good! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Mama Duck Avatar
          Mama Duck

          Thank you and amen!🙌🏻

          Liked by 1 person

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          1. gaillovesgod Avatar
            gaillovesgod

            🙂

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  12. daleducatte Avatar
    daleducatte

    I added regular walks to my day a few years ago, when I was still working and caught up in a very stressful project that added tons of sitting-meetings and quite a few extra hours to each week. I’m glad to have developed the habit, but it’s true that we’re so tethered to devices as bloggers, writers, readers, even photographers that it can be a challenge to keep moving. Mobile devices don’t help; with scrunched shoulders and all that jabbing at screens, they actually seem worse ergonomically than computers. Often, what gets me out walking, though, is realizing how hard it can be to start again if I get out of the habit! Sort of a negative motivation, I guess … but it works. Audiobooks get me out there also: I’ve plowed through quite a few of those on my walks and learned a lot in the process.

    When this company called Varidesk introduced their first standing desk converter (https://www.varidesk.com/shop/by/category/desktop), I bought one. It works well for me because my desk at home is a large table, and the converter accommodates two monitors easily. They’re a bit pricey, but very stable and I like having the option to work standing up rather than sitting. Even when sitting, though, the extra monitor height is great. There are a lot more companies making similar products now than when Varidesk introduced theirs, so if the idea interests you, try searching for “standing desk converter” on Amazon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Mama Duck Avatar
      Mama Duck

      I’ve actually looked into the Varidesk. They are a brilliant concept. Thank you for the thoughtful comments. I agree that remaining in the walking habit is better than starting over!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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