How to Avoid Weight Gain as a Daily Computer User

With more and more people using computers, phones and other tech devices as part of their daily occupation, including both work and studies, we’re seeing an increase in related physical problems. You’ve probably heard of “office chair spread” which refers to an expanding backside or derriere that occurs from being seated in front of computer for many hours over the course of your day.

Whether computer use is the main feature of your job, or if you’re simply someone who incorporates computers into your everyday life, there’s no question that global computer use has gone up drastically and you’re very likely seeing some physical repercussions as a result.

How to Avoid Weight Gain as a Daily Computer User

One tendency for computer users is to gain weight more readily as well as begin to collect fat around the middle of the body. This has to do with being slumped in that office chair. Generally, people who use computers a lot tend to plop down into their seat, rest their elbows on the edge of the desk, and type at the keyboard while slouching and staring straight at the screen.

If you use a computer for many hours over the course of your day, then this is the position your body has become accustomed to and it’s no wonder you’re finding it hard not to gain weight.

However, even with the entire globe being attached to computers and smart phones and related devices from early morning to late at night, there are still some things you can do to stop computer related weight gain and other physical issues that relate to being on the computer for too many hours.

5 Tips

Get up and stretch as a matter of routine.
In a prior article, we talked about the importance of stretching. If you’re working from home, you can take a stretch break every 35 minutes or so to help increase blood flow to your extremities and improve range of motion.

Explore different stretches.
You can try runner’s stretches, yoga, or even do some Googling for ideas on stretches that ease pain and stiffness for computer users. Think neck stretches, shoulder stretches, side twists and core stretches. These are the part of the body that stay locked in one position for many hours while we’re busy working at our computers. So the idea is to stretch them and loosen things up.

Give yourself a daily cardio boost.
As mentioned, sitting still and in one position for many hours each day can lead to the blood pooling at the center of your body resulting in poor circulation. Your veins aren’t getting good blood flow which can mean they’ll become less flexible over time. Make a point to leave your desk each day, don your exercise clothing and head out to pound the pavement, fire up the treadmill or hit the gym and get your body moving and your blood pumping again.

Don’t forget about those precious peepers.
Your eyes are muscles just like anything else. Think about how much time you spend staring forward at the screen for many, many hours in a day. Or how much do you lay there peering at your phone? Do a Google search to find eye exercises to help you increase blood flow to the vessels in your eyes, stretch your eye muscles and improve range of motion in your eyes so they can remain in good health just like the rest of your body.

Change positions frequently.
You may have heard of the standing desk, or ergonomic furniture that helps you maintain a healthy posture which sitting and working at the computer. In addition to those, you can also change positions. Try kneeling in front of the computer as you type instead of sitting in your chair. Or, if your computer chair is stable, you can change it up and do a deep squat as you type, to bring blood flow to the legs and work those quads a bit.