Desk job and Pilates Ball

Hi,

I got a tip from someone on here to us a pilates ball as a chair at work, which I did since I sit on my lady lumps all day.  My question is: Do you have any tips on how I can burn more cals at work or stregthen my core with no one noticeing?  So far I just kind of squirm around on it...doesn't seem like I'm doing anything, but it's got to be better than just sitting still, right?

(I don't know if this belongs in this forum or not, but it made the most sense)

So, ah, anyone know if it burns more cals than sitting in a regular chair? Just asking...

It probably burns a little more calories, I'd guess somewhere between what you'd burn sitting and standing - but that little difference over 8hrs could add up, I'm sure.

My concern is that some people have worse posture if they don't have support, and I'm not sure that the calorie burn would make it worth it. Personally, when I try to sit on the ball for longer than 10 minutes, I start to slouch a lot, but for some people it keeps them sitting upright.

I hope it helps you.

I tried this... and as amethystgirl said.... bad posture... my back was sore and i was all hunched over by the end of the day... I tried for a few days to remember my posture but still at the end of each day i was hunched... finally deflated the thing and pulled out my chair again... although something you could try is when you are on the phone stand up... pace... I have a very small office but i put my phone on the other side of it so i have to move to answer it ... when i do i stand and pace while i talk... its not alot but its something to keep me moving... my muscles will get sore from my workouts if i sit all day long!

hope this helps!

I've been doing it for quite a while.  I did get the "big" 75 cm. ball even though I'm only 5'4".  I tried the smaller ball, but it didn't put me up high enough to type ergonomically. 

I like it.  I have an office on a hall that isn't very busy,and most of my co-workers have stopped laughing at me.  I play the radio softly while I work and I notice when a song comes on that I like I tend to bounce or sway on the ball. 

I'm not usre how many cals it burns, but I think it helps my posture.  I find it difficult to slouch on the ball. 

Thank you all! I'm sure any bit helps. It's not like I'm going to add it in the activity log or anything, but at least it's an extra bonus.

My desk chair was so high up, I alway slouched.  I notice that happens on the ball too, but I will definitly focus on using the ball properly...sitting on the "edge" of the ball and using my legs more.

Thanks again...just wanted to know if that was crazy or not.

Using a pilates ball at work is a great idea but unless you have your own office where you can secretly exercise to your heart's desire I would strongly caution against bouncing up and down.

Several years ago (before pilates balls became popular), one of my well endowed staff replaced her chair with a ball.  After a few weeks, once she became comfortable balancing on the ball, she took to bouncing up and down as she worked.  This became a major distraction for the office and several (male) staff requested I counsel her.  This was very uncomfortable for both of us as she was clearly just trying to improve her health and fitness whereas I was a fat blob doing no exercise at the time.

The staff member agreed to refrain from bouncing on her ball although sadly her seating arrangement was forced to change when a thumb tack found its way under the ball one day (I suspect this was deliberate sabotage).

Have fun with your ball!

i find it helpful if i consciously tighten up my inner core muscles and work on good posture. doing so then assures i use all my abs and back muscles. i use mine when on the computer at home or sitting for evening tv, suppose it avoids the type of issue in post # 6. haha.

plus, a few sessions of 25 minutes a day seems like enough. my chiro says be careful of all day use, as some people will tilt their pelvis and get some sort of compression thing going on. beyond me. i know it helps with my hip pain in small doses tho. 

also seems to work the back and leg muscles more so when fully inflated then when it starts to get a little softer. dont know if thats true, but seems so to me. 

have fun! i love the silly thing.