Sitting all day long sucks, but the post-production profession demands it. So if escaping your edit bay isn’t an option, what is sitting all day long actually doing to your body & mind, and more importantly, what can you do about it? Are there options? Absolutely, and it’s easier than you may think.
In my blog post ‘Sitting Is Killing You, But Standing Isn’t the Answer (And Neither Is Exercise)’ I walk through the many negative health consequences of being sedentary all day whether you are sitting or standing. In this episode I do a much deeper dive into this topic with fitness expert Ben Greenfield, an ex-bodybuilder, Ironman triathlete, Spartan racer, coach, speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller “Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health and Life”.
If you are fed up with the way you look in the mirror, if you’re tired of brain fog, and if you’re tired of never having the energy to start an exercise program (or even get out of bed some days), this is the episode for you.
Click here to download your FREE bonus document: ’10 Ways to Be More Active At Work (Without Finding Time to Exercise)’
Our show sponsors:
Cinemoti: 2nd Unit Footage for Film & Television
- Ben is not a physician and that can be a good thing
What is “Greasing the groove” and “The Naked Warrior”?
Sitting is not dangerous by itself — the issue is lack of movement
What sitting all day is doing to your body (and mind)
The same risks of chronic sitting persist EVEN if you exercise!
There is more force on your spine when you sit than when you run
Standing has a lot of issues too — varicose veins, ankle pain, low back pain, foot pain
How Ben incorporates movement into his day
Try switching positions when you feel you’re in a creative rut!
Are you sitting because you have to or because you don’t want to move?
Try setting up rules for your breaks. For example: when you take a bathroom break, do 20 squats or 10 burpees
Micro workouts (three 10 minute workouts) can be more helpful than 30 min at the gym
More helpful tools for working in movement throughout the day
Scheduling breaks can help you maintain focus throughout the day and not burn out
How do you start from square one?
The cultural barriers within the office and how they can be problematic
How movement can help your cognitive performance and creativity (Read: movement can make you better at your job!)
You don’t need to exercise one hour each day, five days a week. Start with ten minutes every day at work!
A few tips and apps that can help increase cognitive function and wakefulness
Having little exposure to light can affect focus, creativity and your sleep schedule. Check out Ben’s article on this topic: “What is the human charger”
Useful Links:
FiP Blog Post: Sitting Is Killing You, But Standing Isn’t the Answer (And Neither Is Exercise)
FiP Podcast Ep29: Ben Greenfield, All Around Badass
KyBounder Anti-Fatigue Mat via Ben Greenfield
FiP Podcast Ep58: Take Your Standing Workstation to the Next Level with Topo
Guest Bio:
Ben Greenfield is an ex-bodybuilder, Ironman triathlete, Spartan racer, coach, speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller “Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health and Life”. In 2008, Ben was voted as NSCA’s Personal Trainer of the year and in 2013 was named by Greatist as one of the top 100 Most Influential People In Health And Fitness. Ben blogs and podcasts at BenGreenfieldFitness.com, and resides in Spokane, WA with his wife and twin boys.
Show Credits:
This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, the show notes were prepared by Natalie Boschan, and this show is executive produced by Kanen Flowers. We are a member of the THAT STUDIO podcast network.
The music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Dorian Cheah from his brilliant album ARA.
Zack Arnold
Zack Arnold is an award-winning film & television editor (Burn Notice, Empire, Shooter, Glee), member of the American Cinema Editors, a documentary director (GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story), and creator of the Optimize Yourself program (formerly ‘Fitness In Post’). He helps ambitious creative professionals like you learn how to more efficiently manage your time, energy, and attention so you can maximize your creative focus and minimize procrastination, depression, and burnout. After all, what’s the point of killing yourself for the sake of your career if you don’t have energy to spare for the most important people in your life?
Topics of Conversation: