Please Stand Up!

I know many of you are like me, and have a regular office job by day. Of course, we in the movement industry always talk about how humans have not evolved to the point where sitting at a desk all day is not doing anything other than ruining our bodies, but have any of you tried standing up at work?

I have been doing it for the past few days just on a whim, and man, it feels great! Posture is better, knees seem to not ache as much. It's pretty much like how they tell office workers to get up and walk every hour or so to get the blood flowing, but instead, you are already up!

I find productivity to be better overall as well, since you are literally always on your toes. Ever notice how when you are comfortable in your seat, it's hard to get yourself to stand up to do other things? No worries at all with this method. Best of all, you are much less likely to fall asleep at your desk or experience that dreaded food coma after a moderately sized meal! What do you guys think? Any experience with this method?

This guy would be proud.
    

What Does 2,000 Calories Look Like?

2,000 calories per day is said to be the recommended number for the average American male. However, this seems to be a tad high. The general rule of thumb to regulate your weight is to take your target, and multiply by ten. So, if you are trying to get down to 150, your daily allowance should hover around the 1,500 range. Of course, if you are a larger chap, and 200 or more is your target, 2,000+ would definitely follow this formula, but for the average-sized American, it is not quite necessary.

How much exactly is 2,000 calories? Here is a great video that gives you an idea of what it looks like using common household foods as a measuring stick. Some may surprise you, either in a good or bad way.

That said, I have never counted calories a single day in my life, and am not a huge fan of it, as it often creates a counterproductive, unhealthy obsession. The best way to ensure that you don't go overboard for the day? Intermittent fasting. There are, of course, many methods of intermittent fasting, but what I prefer is NO breakfast, something light and non-carby if possible for lunch (lunch is optional), and a satisfying dinner, with the window between the first and last food consumption of the day being between 4 to 8 hours. So, if your first caloric intake happens at 1 pm, make sure that the last thing you consume occurs no later than 9 pm.

Using this schedule, unless you wolf down an entire pizza for dinner, there is much less possibility that you will go above your desired daily caloric intake.

-E