81
submitted 2 weeks ago by Marighost@lemm.ee to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

I need to get out of my desk chair more, but lately I've been trying to walk my neighborhood since the weather's nice. What kinds of things do you do to stay active? I'd love some suggestions for good stretches and simple/effective exercises. Thanks!

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] Crackhappy@lemmy.world 34 points 2 weeks ago

I jiggle my mouse every 5 minutes.

[-] Marighost@lemm.ee 17 points 2 weeks ago
[-] QualifiedKitten@discuss.online 6 points 2 weeks ago

Currently unemployed, so I can't exactly remember, but I used to launch a call with just myself. By default, that will change your status to "in a call", but I believe you can override it and set it to available. Alternatively, a mouse jiggler is around $20.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 4 points 2 weeks ago

Yes. My mouse.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] MantisToboggon@lazysoci.al 29 points 2 weeks ago

I do not. It is very easy.

[-] knobbysideup@sh.itjust.works 17 points 2 weeks ago

Simple calisthenics and stretches every morning. Hip extensions, shoulder rotations, toe touches, etc. Quick and easy and feel much better after. I do these during breaks throughout the day.

After work it depends on time of year and weather. Kayak, mountain bike, snowboard. Hiking or rail trail is fine too.

[-] BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca 15 points 2 weeks ago

I took up ice hockey as an adult.

If you try hard, it's an insanely good workout.

[-] PhobosAnomaly@feddit.uk 6 points 2 weeks ago

I've been threatening to do this for years. Irregular hours have meant that I've skipped this idea, and rugby. I guess I'd love to go just for the workout and for the extra circle of friends, but I don't want to be wasting folks time when I'm not going to be able to make games consistently.

I enjoyed playing roller hockey when I was younger and I know getting the skates back on after thirty years will be a challenge, maybe I'll give this a go again.

[-] BlameThePeacock@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 weeks ago

I started by just going to drop in games rather than joining a league. You may or may not be able to do the same depending on your availabile rink(s)

[-] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 13 points 2 weeks ago

Going to the gym is so boring for me. I ended up finding an activity that I enjoy doing that also happens to be good exercise and started kickboxing about 9 months ago. The people there are very friendly and they text me if I don't show up for a while, so there's more accountability that I would typically have.

[-] blarghly@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Similar. I started rock climbing about a decade ago. It's fun, you make friends, learn new skills, and get exercise.

[-] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Rock climbing seems pretty sweet, I think I could get into after I lose maybe 60 lbs or more lol

[-] blarghly@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Ngl, climbing becomes a lot easier if you are lighter. But also, there's nothing stopping you from enjoying it at a heavier weight - you just climb routes with an easier numeric grade. And there are various climbing disciplines that are less disadvantageous to heavier climbers, like ice climbing or mountaineering. If you want to take a really traditional approach, you could enter climbing by way of hiking and backpacking, which are also a lot of fun and have a decent amount of skill overlap.

Also, I have no science to back this up, but I just intuit that when you consistently do activities like hiking, running, and climbing where lower body weight is advantageous, your brain notices and predisposes you to lose weight.

So give it a shot!

[-] orgrinrt@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

My advanced activities consists primarily of hiking and on a more frequent and casual form day-to-day, just carrying heavy and bulky stuff around.

I was born and raised in the vast wildernesses, forests, wetlands and the old mountains/fells of the Fennoscandic Lappland, so hiking and walking in nature in general has been a big part of my life since I was a wee lad. Even as a teen the closest thing counting as something close to a city was some 200km away, and I spent my pre-teens in a small remote village of 300 inhabitants not so close to anything bigger. Closest village with a church and a few shops a few tens of kilometers away. This is all to give the context in that I haven’t even had much chance to do stuff other than wandering in the wilderness, so whatever I now am has been built and predicated on that mostly.

I have found that the usual form of hiking and backpacking (in nature) in places not requiring special tools or equipment (such as for cliff climbing) seems to favor building up upper body bulk and strength as opposed to a general lightweight build. If we are to assume the logic you suggest is universal and true.

I haven’t been to gym or actively building up my mass or strength, but I’ve grown to be quite heavy on my upper body just by loving hiking and traversing wilderness and fells with a backpack and camping equipment. I’ve also grown pretty hefty thighs and legs overall.

I’ve attempted climbing (in a hall setting, you know as a total beginner) and I’ve got to say: My build is entirely wrong for that. I’m not very agile and the weight the muscles bring makes me very unstable and really bad at swinging/maneuvering. Of course it’s mostly that I’m a total stranger to that and probably would get a lot better with a lot of patience and training, but then my friends with lighter, more usual build (from hobbies in jogging, tennis, soccer or such) with exactly as little experience or knowhow in climbing, were all so much more natural in all that, in much less time and with much fewer attempts.

This is all to say, that your usual hiking and backpacking (especially on a multi-night, even a weeklong carry) is probably not so directly building towards climbing itself, or a lighter build. I think it tends to favor bulkiness to sustain the required carrying weight and the tough, varying terrain. But running of course does favor lightness, maybe the well-paved tourist trails do too, in terms of hiking, but even then you’re going to have to carry a lot and keep a modest pace to be able to sustain the energy for the long haul, while still being able to power through the hills, the ravines, the fells and the deep thick forests with a lot of trunks, large glacial erratics etc, with the weight on your shoulders and back, which I think is pretty much all of it disadvantageous on a lighter build(?)

But that’s neither here or there, just thought I’d offer a differing anecdote. Otherwise I think your (and others’!) points are great!

[-] GeraltvonNVIDIA@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 weeks ago

I need Motivation and often trick myself into doing some activities. Mostly per videogames. I try to do at least one Minigame per day and it actually helps with my Back-Pain. Continuity is key.

VR:

  1. Beat Saber
  2. Superhot

Nintendo Wii/Switch:

  1. Wii Sports
  2. Just Dance
[-] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 weeks ago

The Superhot time gimmick immediately turned me off of the game. It's there something wrong with me?

[-] Smokeydope@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Some games just aren't meant for you and thats okay. For example I spent a few hours playing civ enough to understand the experience it offers. I did not enjoy a single moment of its gameplay or strategy layers at any point. Apparently its a good enough game for many people to put hundreds/thousands of hours into and buy again every few years+dlc. I just didn't pick up what it was putting down.

[-] Marighost@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

I'd love to get a Valve Index kit, but I just can't justify the purchase right now! 😅

[-] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Fuck yeah beatsaber

Doing step challenges and tracking steps keeps me walking. I try for 10k steps a day and use Samsung Health's monthly challenge on my phone as gamification to keep walking daily.

[-] GetOffReddit@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago

Being active is so important to your health. Take where you're at and just build on it. One thing I always tell myself is that things won't get better if I don't act on it. Yeah, I want to loose 10 lbs so I'll start exercising and eating less. Tomorrow. Nope, it's got to start now. And give yourself some grace. Changing habits is hard and you will backslide. Don't beat yourself up, just awknowledge the slip and say you'll try to do better.

[-] jade52@lemmy.ca 8 points 2 weeks ago

Lifelong lazy person here. I got a Fitbit. At first I just used it for counting my steps and heart rate, but after a while I decided to I crease my cardio load. Being able to see the data of my progress really helped. The steps goal is a big one too (I also work a desk job). It helped me keep mindful of how much I need to move. After a few months it was so much easier.

[-] Thoven@lemdro.id 7 points 2 weeks ago

I was fortunate enough to get invited to a ballroom dancing class in high school and fell in love with it. It's exercise and a social experience all in one fairly affordable package. Where I live an hour long group class is $10 a head. I wouldn't do private lessons for these purposes. And if you like it, there are so many subcultures! There are entire groups dedicated to certain dances like West Coast swing and Argentine tango. Regular social dances on the weekends in addition to classes. YMMV based on where you live, but dancing with the stars has brought ballroom into the mainstream and there are quality studios in most decent sized US cities as far as I know.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] flop_leash_973@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

Walking my dog, anxiety, pessimism, and existential dread mostly.

[-] MisterNeon@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

I basically live in an M. C. Escher painting so I just go walk outside which no matter where I go it's uphill both ways.

[-] Albbi@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 weeks ago

I have two huskies. If I don't walk them they get destructive. I got them to help keep myself active and they're doing their job.

Also took up Ultimate (frisbee). Such a great game, but so much running!

[-] JayleneSlide@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Bicycle commuting, but it sounds like you might be WFH. I am a 100% remote worker, but I keep an office and workshop to keep the day job out of my tiny living space. When I still worked from my boat (where I live), I would go for a bike ride through varying loops before and after work just to have that separation of mental states.

When we're on a passage or anchored out, yoga, calisthenics, dumbbells, TRX (body weight training system), and swimming keep us fit. Among my peers, there is a 1:1 inverse relationship between who does yoga and who has pains of inflexibility.

Another great book for keeping your range and flexibility is "Ten Golden Exercises" by Daniel Philpot.

load more comments (7 replies)
[-] undeffeined@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 weeks ago

I break up working day with small 5 min breaks where I rest in a squat. I do this a minimum of 6 times. It helps to stretch the whole posterior chain.

First 30 days I had a 4cm block bellow my heels since I severly lack the mobility. After a month of daily practice I've been able to reduce the height of the block to 2 cm. Will continue for another month and hopefully the full squat will be available to me.

The goal is to be able to have the squat as a natural resting position that I can use on a daily basis to break the chair sitting banner.

[-] flubba86@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

That's a cool idea. I'd like to start doing this. I hope my knees can cope, I'm very heavy.

[-] undeffeined@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago

I suggest you take a different approach then.

Instead of doing in 5 min blocks, do it in smaller intervals, say start with 30 seconds. And also you can aim for a smaller total daily time like 5 min, and work your way up to 30 dailly minutes over the course of weeks if not months. It may seem small but the goal is to accumulate the work and slowly induce adaptations.

load more comments (4 replies)
[-] Dagwood222@lemm.ee 6 points 2 weeks ago
[-] Rawrosaurus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 2 weeks ago

I refuse to drive or take any form of public transport, unless I am going to be traveling far.

I walk or bike everywhere I go. I get to where I am going and I get exercise along the way. I barely think about it anymore, it has just become normal to me.

[-] AmidFuror@fedia.io 5 points 2 weeks ago

Aggressive foreplay followed by prolonged vaginal intercourse.

[-] coaxil@lemm.ee 5 points 2 weeks ago

60ish min in the weights room 5 days a week, 6 days a week 30 min zone 2 cardio. That's it.

[-] libra00@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

I'm disabled so I spend like 16 hours a day in my chair, but I try to do 30 minutes on my exercise bike every morning.

[-] jabathekek@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 weeks ago

I'm lucky to have a relatively nice bicycle lane network in my city so I use it whenever I have to get groceries or whatever. Not that I have a car, but I wouldn't want to drive anyway. Cycling is also a hell of a lot better than the bus.

Sometimes I don't need groceries and just feel like a slug or whatever, so I do a bunch of jumping jacks until I start breathing hard.

[-] Lifecoach5000@lemmy.world 5 points 2 weeks ago

Juggling. It’s not too intensive or anything but does keep me somewhat active.

I suggest everyone learn to juggle! It’s not TOO hard once you get over the hump and everything clicks. I also find it somewhat meditative.

[-] TwoBeeSan@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Job has a lot of walking. If can't get lucky and combine....

Do some body weight exercises in between another task. Like oh I'm about to smoke a bowl do push-ups until collapse.

Started walking to work but again this is not a universal fix for everyone.

[-] dohpaz42@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

I found a gym-quality elliptical on Craigslist a couple of years back, and if I walk/run at a pace between 50-60 rpm’s, I can walk about 2.5 miles in 30 minutes.

[-] grasshopper_mouse@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

I got a personal trainer at a small local gym to do strength training. I meet with them twice a week and then go by myself a third day during the week; all three days I go before work. Pros are that I'm much stronger than I was 2 years ago, cons are that it does cost money and I do have to get up earlier to be there, but it's pretty easy to get up early when you paid someone for their time to meet you there.

[-] Kolanaki@pawb.social 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

My dogs demanding to be walked. Which is one of the many reasons I wanted a dog in the first place. It worked. 😌

[-] Balthazar@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

You can find instructions online for stretches and exercises, but that doesn't hold my interest. I bit the bullet and joined a gym, going a couple of times a week to keep loose. Maybe I could do the stuff I do there at home (after purchasing some equipment), but I think the environment is worth the expense. I don't talk to anyone else except to greet the staff, but I like the fact that other people are around and it's a space dedicated to working out.

[-] idriss@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

Gave up on gym membership already. Switched to home workouts (check darebee website and youtube) I feel way better with this compared to the gym. You cant have noodle arms also, so get reasonable dumbbells to grow your arm muscles (they are effective and easy to store also)

It s 40min at most daily from home workouts so you need less mental energy to get to it (compared to: prepare backpack, go to gym, interact with people, go back). I am on the Avatar Upgrade program.

I add early morning walks and occasional hikes to spice things up.

[-] cabron_offsets@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Lately by talking ~3 mile walks.

[-] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago

I bike! Both to work, general transportation (for example grocery shopping) and just for fun.

[-] Ledericas@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

my work involves walking and carrying stuff, and i lost weight, eventhough im kinda below normal weight as it is.

[-] I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

A rebounder/indoor trampoline is fun and easy to use for a few minutes and then go back to what you were doing.

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 22 Apr 2025
81 points (97.6% liked)

Ask Lemmy

31556 readers
991 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS