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I work on personal projects, read HN, or do other things on my computer while I'm at home. I'm sitting at a desk and using my computer for 12+ hours a day. I ra

I work on personal projects, read HN, or do other things on my computer while I'm at home. I'm sitting at a desk and using my computer for 12+ hours a day. I rarely ever exercise, or even move my body much besides my fingers. This is really terrible news for people like me.

ironmagma 10y ago
It's never too late to start exercising. :-)
fapjacks 10y ago
Do you even lift? It's really easy to start, and it's really easy to get caught up in the habit. It sounds implausible, but I became a much better programmer after I started lifting weights every day.
- winter_blue 10y ago
  That's pretty cool, I guess exercise helps improve mood a lot. I should definitely give lifting every day a shot. I'm searching for a good set of weights on Amazon, but I'm a bit lost. Can you recommend anything (that's a good for a beginner)?
  - fapjacks 10y ago
    I just bought the cheapest set of metal plates I could find from Amazon when I started. They were pairs of 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 pound plates, and included a bar and two curl bars, and collars for keeping the plates on the bars. For a while in the Army, I literally just lifted cans of .50-cal ammo. When you start, just Google a few simple compound exercises that don't require equipment, and make sure you're getting at least twenty minutes of cardio a day, until you start to get into shape. Once you aren't dying from the run, and are able to lift every day -- because the first few weeks, you will be too sore between sessions to lift every day, and rest is super important to prevent injury -- then look for some kind of bench. Again, here, I just bought the cheapest thing I could find on Amazon that I could reconfigure for different exercises. Altogether, the weights were a couple hundred bucks, and the bench set was a couple hundred bucks. Definitely also search for weight sets on Craigslist. You'd be surprised at the number of people that buy the best gear and then realize they don't like to exercise.
  - ptero 10y ago
    Try two gallon size or similar juice / tea bottles with handles. You can fill those with different amounts of water to figure out what works for you so you know what real weights to get. After a week you will have a good idea.
  - stephenbez 10y ago
    I bought these which work well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS/ref=oh_aui_sear... Once you can handle the max included weight, you can buy more plates.
debt 10y ago
it means we programmers will make more money but die sooner. makes all that money earnin' kinda pointless, won't be able to spend it all lol
trhway 10y ago
get a sit/stand desk. Even better if it is with treadmill. I only wish i started to work standing 10-15 years ago instead of just the last couple of years.
- usaphp 10y ago
  It's not about getting a treadmill desk or sit/standing desk, it's about forcing yourself to actually use it. I have a standing desk with a treadmill under it, most of the time I just find an execuse to sit, and do not turn on treadmill...however when I force myself I really do feel great and much more energized
  - oever 10y ago
    So when you feel great and energized you manage to force yourself? ;-) Still good that you have the option to be active when you want to.
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
robinwarren 10y ago
Similar story here for most of the last year. Previously I've had a long (walking) commute to work, enjoyed swimming, running and/or mountain biking. I tried HIIT briefly last year but couldn't find a way to reliably include it in my routine. Just started swimming a few weeks back and think I will maintain that longer term. People will tell you to do x/y/z thing, the truth is you need to find something which works for you and becomes a habit and you can fit into your schedule long term. That could be lifting, swimming, zumba classes, whatever. Either that or decide you're OK with poor health and a shorter than necessary life! :)

ironmagma 10y ago

It's never too late to start exercising. :-)

fapjacks 10y ago

Do you even lift? It's really easy to start, and it's really easy to get caught up in the habit. It sounds implausible, but I became a much better programmer after I started lifting weights every day.

winter_blue 10y ago
That's pretty cool, I guess exercise helps improve mood a lot. I should definitely give lifting every day a shot. I'm searching for a good set of weights on Amazon, but I'm a bit lost. Can you recommend anything (that's a good for a beginner)?
- fapjacks 10y ago
  I just bought the cheapest set of metal plates I could find from Amazon when I started. They were pairs of 2.5, 5, 10 and 25 pound plates, and included a bar and two curl bars, and collars for keeping the plates on the bars. For a while in the Army, I literally just lifted cans of .50-cal ammo. When you start, just Google a few simple compound exercises that don't require equipment, and make sure you're getting at least twenty minutes of cardio a day, until you start to get into shape. Once you aren't dying from the run, and are able to lift every day -- because the first few weeks, you will be too sore between sessions to lift every day, and rest is super important to prevent injury -- then look for some kind of bench. Again, here, I just bought the cheapest thing I could find on Amazon that I could reconfigure for different exercises. Altogether, the weights were a couple hundred bucks, and the bench set was a couple hundred bucks. Definitely also search for weight sets on Craigslist. You'd be surprised at the number of people that buy the best gear and then realize they don't like to exercise.
- ptero 10y ago
  Try two gallon size or similar juice / tea bottles with handles. You can fill those with different amounts of water to figure out what works for you so you know what real weights to get. After a week you will have a good idea.
- stephenbez 10y ago
  I bought these which work well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VCDXNS/ref=oh_aui_sear... Once you can handle the max included weight, you can buy more plates.

debt 10y ago

it means we programmers will make more money but die sooner. makes all that money earnin' kinda pointless, won't be able to spend it all lol

trhway 10y ago

get a sit/stand desk. Even better if it is with treadmill. I only wish i started to work standing 10-15 years ago instead of just the last couple of years.

usaphp 10y ago
It's not about getting a treadmill desk or sit/standing desk, it's about forcing yourself to actually use it. I have a standing desk with a treadmill under it, most of the time I just find an execuse to sit, and do not turn on treadmill...however when I force myself I really do feel great and much more energized
- oever 10y ago
  So when you feel great and energized you manage to force yourself? ;-) Still good that you have the option to be active when you want to.

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

robinwarren 10y ago

Similar story here for most of the last year. Previously I've had a long (walking) commute to work, enjoyed swimming, running and/or mountain biking. I tried HIIT briefly last year but couldn't find a way to reliably include it in my routine. Just started swimming a few weeks back and think I will maintain that longer term. People will tell you to do x/y/z thing, the truth is you need to find something which works for you and becomes a habit and you can fit into your schedule long term. That could be lifting, swimming, zumba classes, whatever. Either that or decide you're OK with poor health and a shorter than necessary life! :)