Sitting 8+ hours a day – how do you do it?

[onmywayParticipant 502]

Hi guys.
I need some advice from some more experiences men out there.
I just started up in a new job. The pay is good and the stress-level is low. All in all, I’m pretty happy with it.
However, this job is computer-based, which means I’m stuck to my desk all day. I’ve only worked retail before, and even though retail has its bad sides, it’s high-tempo running all day, so I never had problems with pain due to static positions.
However, now I’m experiencing pain and dullness in my lower back after only 2 weeks, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried 4 different chairs, and decided to make my own standing desk today. I’m going to try standing for a couple of days and see if it makes it better.

Do you guys have any tips on overcoming this?
How do you work long hours while staying healthy doing it?
My current plan is to combine standing with a kneeling chair or something. Anything to stay active throughout the day. I also have a timer on every 20 minutes to remind me to stretch and get up and do something.
I guess I’m just a bit scared if my body isn’t up for the task of standard sitting-jobs. I’m only 26 and shouldn’t have back issues.

PS: I work out every day w/ single digit fat percentage, so my general fitness level shouldn’t be a problem.

[Enjoy The DeclineParticipant 1719]

I suggest maybe taking a 5 minute walk in every break you have. I think that in an 8 hour shift, there is like maybe two 15 minute breaks and a 30 minute lunch. At google, they have this thing where they do a bit of exercise throughout their shift like walking to a meeting the hard way for instance: link. Maybe instead of taking the elevator, you should take the stairs also to feel better. Google seems to be health conscience but I am sure that you are actually in good health right now so that is obviously not the problem. So my point is that you should try to walk during your work shift every chance you get, even if it is 5 minutes at a time.

"Question everything" - Albert Einstein

[BritGHOWParticipant 2566]

Standing desks are a godsend, another decent option I’ve found for sitting is ball chairs

[Silverstone the SecondParticipant]

I can’t stand cubicle work for this very reason. I’ve done it, and the best thing that helped me was use your lunch break and any break time to stretch your legs, get moving. It might be wise to watch what you eat, as the pounds can add up. Luckily, I work a rigorous job where I can eat whatever I want and stay skinny as f~~~. Also, maybe you could start to hit the gym to keep the weight off or go for a walk in the morning/night.

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[Jan SobieskiParticipant 28791]

It might be your sitting posture or a medical problem. See an MD.

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[ILiveAgainParticipant]

A lot of research in this area can be found by web searching long haul pilot LBP (Lower Back Pain)

DO NOT IGNORE THIS ISSUE

It can and will come haunt you later in life.

For now …

Get up and walk around every 30mins. Drink as much water as you can. Check your posture. Check your chair. It may need replacing.

Don’t brush this off. It’s very serious.

[InfernalShadowParticipant 377]

I’d hate a job like that. What I would do if I had a standing desk is walk in place while I’m working. At least that way you’re not sitting around the full hours and if needed breaks, you could just sit down on your lunch break/other breaks.

[KeymasterKeymaster]

onmyway wrote:

Do you guys have any tips on overcoming this? I work out every day w/ single digit fat percentage

Get up and do ANYTHING – bathroom, water, touch your toes, stretch, whatever – at least once an hour. Just for a minute or two. I worked with a guy who would walk around the block every hour. Really. He did it every hour or 90 minutes at most. Good shape too.

Spare no expense on a chair (like an Aeron)

If you have a bar stool or standing counter, that’s good, to avoid sitting too long with a 90 degree bend at the hips. Semi-sitting higher up is better. Also those kneeling work chairs keep your back straight…. although they are a little wierd.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[Faust For ScienceParticipant 22521]

onmyway wrote:

However, now I’m experiencing pain and dullness in my lower back after only 2 weeks, and I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried 4 different chairs, and decided to make my own standing desk today.

I have had this problem. I found that swivel chairs are the cause. Find a good cushioned four legged office chair. That will likely fix the problem in a few weeks.

Also, even you can get away with it, walk around every hour or so, for a few minutes. To stretch your muscles.

[alchemistParticipant 484]

Heck I’ve had back issues since I was 21, some of us are just made differently. I’m a similar age now and at this moment mine hurts from a combo of that, this s~~~ty chair, heavy lifting and hard work.

That standing desk sounds like a stroke of genius though 🙂

[onmywayParticipant 502]

Thank you guys very much for your replies!
I will try out several of the things you told me and let you guys know how things work out. For now the standing desk I created seems to be the best alternative, but it gets tiring after a while.

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