Comments on: Walking vs. Working

By: Jerriann

Jerriann — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:21:22 +0000

The WalkStation I have been reading about works but at $6500, it better. The concept is simple really. We are built to walk, not sit. Combine that with all the medical studies showing that walking reduces your chances of contracting just about every major health ailment it is a no brainer

We should be doing a lot more walking. But when? Who has the time? That is the beauty of a treadmill desk. I found one at www.trekdesk.com called the TrekDesk that will be much more affordable and even incorporates an exercise ball chair so you don’t need an additional desk and chair in your office. Cool!

By: Edward Vielmetti

Edward Vielmetti — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:21:55 +0000

Doc -

I keep track of how much I walk with Walker Tracker:

http://www.walkertracker.com

and an Omron pedometer. Remarkable just how making yourself mindful of how much exercise you get makes you get more exercise.

By: Kathy Sierra

Kathy Sierra — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:14:41 +0000

I’m so relieved to know that you’re taking the walk vs. work thing seriously — these ‘hits’ often end up making us healthier in every way. I have four little tips:
* Put movement-inspiring things where you will literally trip over them on your way to key places in your home. Things like a big exercise ball, hand weights, your kid’s skateboard. And my number one favorite is:
* a Weeble board http://www.fitter1.com/Catalog/Items/WB11.aspx
* The Swing Seat chair http://www.swingseat.com/ I got it for my back, and it’s the only chair I’ve ever been able to use that keeps me moving.
* Maybe a dog that really, really, really loves to walk. One that begs, guilts, or barks you into frequent outings, and that appreciates the value of even the three-minute physical play break. Puppies are far more effective than official ‘mindfulness’ workshops — maybe you can volunteer or dog-sit for a friend?

I don’t know if you’ve read or talked with Tim Ferris (author of The Four-Hour Workweek), but he has some awesome advice that–at the meta level–is about how to shift the balance of your life toward things you love, and how to find the time to do it. Hard-core restrictions on email/blog/Tweeting, etc. is part of the plan…

Feel better.

By: Mike Sanders

Mike Sanders — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:24:47 +0000

Doc,

You are one of the most wonderful I have ever met. G-d should grant you a complete and speedy recovery.

Be Well
Mike Sanders

By: Mike Taht

Mike Taht — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 23:49:24 +0000

I take off on an airplane for 16 hours and the world changes. Jeeze, Doc….

Lots of great suggestions on this list… I should take a few myself… but here’s mine:

Back when I was getting back on my feet I found my ebike solved a few problems:

1) It was fast - so I could get to where I was going - be it the store or the beach - almost as fast as I could go via the car. Having destinations made it much better than “walking nowhere”. To this day, I still hate “walking nowhere” without someone or something to talk to.

2) The motor averaged out the effort - it made uphill climbs far more bearable, and long rides tolerable.

3) Getting further from home meant that I’d run the battery flat and force myself to struggle further and further distances home.

4) I’d carry my handy voice recorder for any thoughts I had along the way in places without cell service. Being able to store them would clear my head enough to keep pedalling, and stay offline for longer and longer periods.

5) After a while (20 mile days) - I didn’t need the battery anymore.

Get well!

And you make me want to quote Bugs Bunny:

“Remember Doc, Keep Smiling”

By: Cameron Reilly

Cameron Reilly — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 22:03:53 +0000

Doc, as you do in so many other things, it’s great to see you pushing our thinking around the subject of work and health. How do we desk potatoes stay healthy while we try to change the world? Perhaps a chat with Ray Kurzweil might be useful as well. He’s one of the biggest brains I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with on G’Day World and I know he’s fanatical about the subject of living long and healthy and he also seems to be extremely productive. All the best mate, as DW says, the world needs you around for a long, long time.

By: dweinberger

dweinberger — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:56:21 +0000

Doc, walking and thinking go together like sitting and chatting. (Well, walking and chatting is pretty great, too.)

Get well. Stay well. We need you around for at least another 30.

Love,

David W.

By: Henri Asseily

Henri Asseily — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:48:35 +0000

Doc, hope you get better soon.
I guess I’m repeating what everyone’s said already: fresh air and easy “natural” workouts such as walking, swimming and bicycling. Mostly get the body’s whole machinery working at a decent (not harsh) pace.

Best wishes
Henri

By: Ted Gilchrist

Ted Gilchrist — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:31:04 +0000

Get well, be well Doc. Our thoughts are with you.
- Ted Gilchrist

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:45:11 +0000

Thanks, everybody.

And Dave (Rogers… there are so many Daves, including myself, actually), I especially appreciate your good advice and wishes.

I was planning to walk (and soon enough, bike) without mediating encumberances such as phone and camera.

And thanks for the lead on John Kabat-Zinn. Hadn’t heard of him before, and it’s cool to discover that he’s local here. I’ll follow up.

Best to you all.