So this is my first week of using a standing desk. I first put a $5 7.5” tall lap desk on my regular desk, but it barely fit my laptop, and I needed my extra monitor to be the same height. I was even more convinced to do the standing desk long-term when I used this standing desk calorie calculator and figured out that I could burn over 200 extra calories a day just by standing at my desk for 6 hours a day. For the 5 weekdays, I will have burned over 1000 extra calories, the equivalent of almost 1/3 of a pound!
After experiencing the unsteadiness of the lap desk, I ventured out to Bed, Bath, and Beyond, where I had a gift card. I had read that someone used a shoe rack shelf from Target and thought maybe I could do the same. I didn’t want to spend $200-$800 on a “real” standing desk.
Although Bed, Bath, and Beyond didn’t have the shoe racks mentioned, they did have tall bed raisers—ones that were almost exactly the correct height! They were $14.99 and of course I had a 20% off coupon, making them $12. I checked out and came back to the office to clear off my desk and add them.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Yes, I like a little colorful chaos in my life. I don’t expect Design Star to be calling anytime soon.
So I am on day 3 of standing for about 4-6 hours a day.
How does it feel? It sucks. My feet hurt and my back does too. I sit down during lunch, but have found myself more fidgety, and shifting my weight more often. But, each day does get a little bit easier.
Part of the reason why I switched up my desk arrangement is because something had to change. I already have to wear wrist braces when I type because my chair was too low for the desk, and the masseuse I went to yesterday explained how the way I was sitting (perched on the edge of my seat) was affecting the way my buttock muscles laid across my body. Talk about terrifying.
So, am I doing this for the potential extra weight loss? Sure. But I am also doing it because I’m sick of my body hurting. And if this can help, I am all for it. Also, because I am fairly uncomfortable (breaking a 26 year old habit can be a hard one), I tend to work faster.
I will try to check in with another standing desk update in a few more weeks!