HEALTHY LIVING
Jonathan Messner, MS, CSCS
Let’s Pretend
What if there were no more personal trainers left on planet Earth? (We had enough of The Biggest Loser and decided to return to our home planet. Uranus. Hehe.)
How would you live without our wisdom to guide you through everyday life? How would you know what to eat for breakfast? How would you know what exercise to do in what order with what breathing tempo? How would you know how to file your taxes?
But seriously, you don’t need to hire a personal trainer or even workout to live a healthy lifestyle. (Gasp!) What’s more, it might even be easier than you think.
Sidebar: Want to have some fun? Every once in a while pretend you are an alien visiting earth. You really have to get into character for this to work though. IT IS HILARIOUS.
Me: You actually pay other people to give you a workout and make you throw up?
Human: Yea, its awesome!
Me: But is that fun?
Human: No, it sucks. But it’s awesome!
Anywho, back to the article.
The Work Place
If you work at a computer, the monitor should be at eye level and not off to one side or another as to avoid strain on the neck and shoulder. Keyboard trays and palm supports are important to help avoid carpal tunnel as well as potential shoulder and neck issues. It is important not to have your arms hanging off the desk and the wrists bent excessively because this can also ad joint stress.
I would caution against standing in heels, I can’t see that being too good for you. However, if you insist on wearing them, I would rather you sit down. Which brings me to…
The Least Harmful Way to Hurt Yourself
In the off chance that you don’t own an adjustable-height work surface yet (hint hint) there are some ways in which you can make sitting not as damaging to your spine, hips, knees, neck, soul, etc.
Obviously what you are sitting in is of paramount importance. Please don’t ask about those bosu-ball chairs. They are like the recumbent bike. Let’s combine being lazy and exercise! No, that’s stupid.
The type of chair you are looking for is:
1. The back and the seat are independently adjustable and not combined into one unit.
2. The depth of the seat should not be so deep where the back of your legs are rubbing up against it.
3. The armrest can adjust to a height that supports your arms but does not push your shoulders up into your ears.
4. The chair should allow you to “move” as freely as a chair can allow. If you recline backwards, so does the chair (it does not “fight” your movement).
This type of chair can be pretty pricey. Coupled with the fact that sitting for long periods of time isn't good for you anyways (didn't we already cover this?), you might want to think about investing your hard-earned money in an adjustable-height work surface instead.
Home Sweet Home
I am not going to tell you not to go home after a hard day’s work and not sit down and watch the boob tube.
But what I am going to tell you is that you might want to get in a walk before you get too comfortable. Walking is one of the healthiest activities you can partake in. It’s good for your spine, it’s good for your heart, and if you walk with other people, it’s great for your soul.
And when you are finished walking, for the love of Moses don’t eat a Twinkie. Find yourself a good health coach or nutritionist to guide you. But if currently, your laziness is beating your will to Google “local holistic health coach”, allow me to impart some nutritional (free-range chicken) nuggets.
1) Don’t Eat Crap.
2) Don’t eat a lot of processed sugar or salt. This falls under the “crap” category. It also kills your pallet.
3) Don’t eat a lot of grains, breads, and pastas. I think gluten is a killer, but that might just be my own personal experience.
4) Eat a lot of vegetables and greens. Eat more than you think is possible. I’ve never heard of anyone getting fat on eating too many greens, so go nuts, have a field day.
5) I will leave the meat vs. the no-meat debate to others. I like meat, I think its important for athletes, but I am also on my way to becoming a vegan. Curse you delicious hamburger.
Au Revoir
So there you have it.
You don’t need to hire a personal trainer or pay a gym membership. All you have to do is stand up a little more, walk a little more, and not eat quite as much crap.
I guess you don’t need me anymore, which is just as good because I really am an alien and will be moving home soon.
Speaking of which, are you doing anything next weekend? I could use the help packing my spaceship.
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