But I've stuck to my treadmill desk addiction. Since January of 2009 I've been using a treadmill desk as my main means of work and exercise (I blogged about it here and here). I still average four hours a day at 1.6 kph (or 1mph--that's 6.4 kilometres a day or 3.97 miles). The remainder of my writing time I stand at my treadmill desk. I only sit to put my shoes on. In fact my un-treadmill desk is becoming lonely.
1. Walked 108,174 minutes.
2. Traveled 3342.3 kilometres (2076.8 miles).
3. Burned 207,333 calories (equivalent of 2591.7 Turtles).
4. Written 190,000 words.
Benefits:
1) More awake while working and able to work for a longer period of time without fatigue.
2) Able to eat more turtles.
3) Consistent exercise combats depression.
4) Able to eat more turtles.
5) Now able to entertain guests with amazing treadmill desk stories.
6) Generally in better shape.
I've decided to issue a call to action for all you treadheads and treadhead cadets out there. It's right here in this amazing and inspirational video (including some subliminal advertising):
Rise up. Press your start buttons. Live long and prosper...
Art
26 comments:
That's interesting--I wonder if I could write and walk. Not sure.
It took me about fifteen minutes to get used to doing both at the same time. It's a very leisurely pace...
Motion sickness. I know, weird, eh? But looking at the screen and walking just made me feel icky. I have some alternatives, though. I stand at the kitchen counter and type on my laptop. And I take walk breaks in which I do the "thinking" part of my writing. Great film, Art! And good for you, sticking to your Treadhead lifestyle. Go have a turtle.
Jean is right. It doesn't work for everyone. Standing is great, too, though I find it harder on my knees than walking. Dickens used to enjoy long, long walks...especially after he killed off a favourite character...
Hi, great vid, great set-up. I tried standing and writing last year. I liked it, but caused a bit of pain in my hip (god I feel old typing that), so I'm back to sitting, but I never have problems walking, so this might work for me.
How has walking and writing been with your word count or however you monitor your output?
Treadmill desk looks like a good idea, i personally have one, but never put it to use.
Love your treadmill desk, Arthur! I brought my road bike indoors for the winter, purchased a stand to make it stationary, and my husband built a ledge that holds my laptop. Now I can surf, write and read. My dog even keeps me company in the basket! I have a photo, but I'm not sure how to share it in a blog comment.
Lee: I do find the walking easier than the standing. Often after I've stood for awhile me hips start to hurt.
I think my wordcount is up. Certainly my ability to concentrate is up...
Judy: I love the bike idea, too. And the dog in the basket, of course...
Yay for you... walking while working for 2 years.
I just started about a month ago... and love it!
All your numbers made me realize i want to track mine also. Thanks!
Thanks Janet!
yes tracking numbers can be fun...obsessively so!
Art
Ha! This is such a great video -- really really funny and really well done.
Thanks, Brent! I am usually well-done and not funny, so this is a change for me...
Arthur,
You inspired me about a year ago and I've been wanting to try this since! My husband just built me a treadmill desk and this is day three of increased focus and more energy at the end of the day, along with better work on some revisions. We're not designed to be "sitters". Thanks for your detailed record keeping, too! Three cheers for turtles!
welcome to the glories of treadheadedness! : ) Our battle cry is, "More Nestle Turtles for me!"
Oh, I like our battlecry! I am LOVING my treadmill desk, too about 10 minutes to figure out the pace... and my treadmill desk is just a shelf attached with O rings! : )
I came across some recent medical research a while back that suggested that even if someone does vigorous physical exercise for an hour every day, their hearts are still at risk if they sit for more than six hours a day -- e.g., working at a computer for 8 hours a day (or more, for many writers). Something to do with the body becoming too relaxed and "settling" that created an unsustainable strain on the heart. I'm a little vague on the details, but the take away message was that one cannot sit for long periods and be healthy, no matter what subsequent exercise one does in the non-sitting hours. Since hearing this, I have been waiting for the next treadmill sale at Canadian Tire.
How difficult was it to build the "desk" part of the treadmill desk? I am not very handy, so am a little worried that I will not be able to manage it....
It can be rather simple to put together. My first desk was basically held together by elastics!
And I think I read some of that same research Robert. It certainly is better to be standing...or walking.
Building the "desk" part can be easy or hard. Just google treadmill desk and you'll see how a great number of people put theirs together. You can also buy a treadmill desk from a place like this: http://www.treaddesk.com/ They even sell the desk on its own, too, I think.
Very Inspiring. The neatness of your office frightens me. I have not stuck with treading because I like writing all over better than in my office which is overwhelmingly messy. All dogs seem to like to sleep on the treadmill though.
Very Inspiring. The neatness of your office frightens me. I have not stuck with treading because I like writing all over better than in my office which is overwhelmingly messy. All dogs seem to like to sleep on the treadmill though.
Ah, the neatness was only for the video. Now it looks a bit like Armageddon...
My husband showed me this post to convince me to use a similar setup as yours. Guess I'm convinced now. lol.
Have you ran into any issues like random tripping and things falling over?
http://www.whatisrightforme.com/treadmill/ suggests pretty much any brand would be ideal and I'm assuming spending more would be unneeded. What brand would you suggest?
Thanks again Arthur. This is definitely life changing.
Hi Judie,
Random tripping? Not even tripping the light fantastic. Actually, I only go 1mph so I have yet to trip or do anything to damage myself.
And you're right. You don't need to spend a lot. I have a Tempo Fitness treadmill that was 399 or something like that. It's more about whether it'll fit in your office. And can it be adapted to being used as a desk.
Welcome to TREADHEAD life!
My husband had an accident last year and doctor has fixed some plates in between his ribs. Now he have to go for work but he cannot sit longer. His doctor advice him to buy a standbyyourdesk for his office work.I need prayers from all of you including some suggestions if any of you have in this regard. thank you.
But I've stuck to my treadmill desk addiction. Since January of 2009 I've been using a treadmill desk as my main means of work and exercise (I ... utreadmilldesk.blogspot.com
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