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May 30, 2023

Have You Ever Used a Treadmill While at Work?

I really don't think this is so odd of a thing to do, but I know I get some weird looks from this around this office. There's got to be some other people in the Hudson Valley who do this! When I'm

I really don't think this is so odd of a thing to do, but I know I get some weird looks from this around this office. There's got to be some other people in the Hudson Valley who do this!

When I'm writing articles like these, sending emails, editing In Touch episodes, or doing show prep, I like to be moving, if at all possible. I hate sitting still. I find that my mind wanders all over the place when I am still and my body will get so tense. There would be times where I am getting so tense at work where I say enough is enough and I go to the gym or simply for a walk.

Even back in school, I could never sit still. I would always find whatever excuse I could to get up out of my seat to stretch. I was that kid who asked to go to the bathroom simply to stretch my legs and walk around. Being still for too long is maddening to me.

That's one of the reasons why I think I hated reading so much when I was younger. I had a hard time staying in one place, and I would get distracted from the page. Flash forward to several months ago, I'm getting sick of watching videos on my phone when I'm at the gym. I wanted to disconnect, but I wanted to still entertain myself.

So I brought a book with me to the gym and read on the treadmill. I was worried at first that I wouldn't have the coordination to walk and read at the same time. That, or have motion sickness. But nope! It went great! In fact, I was able to concentrate on the book so much easier while walking at a steady pace. I love doing it, and I have completed several books since then. I'm well on track for my personal reading goal for the year. Why didn't I know about this while I was still in school?

This got me to thinking, if I can read on the treadmill, could I get my work done on a treadmill? It's not like I could bring my work to the gym, but what if I could bring the gym to work? Well, there are tons of options of treadmills you can purchase that are meant for home and work settings. We already have standing desks here at work available to us, so it would be so easy to integrate.

I found a model that I liked, and brought it into work to test out. Not only did I find that I could still use the computer while walking, I felt like I was typing and working faster. I was able to concentrate on the task in front of me rather than having my mind wander. My body felt more free and less tense. My stress levels were lower, and I was getting a solid work out in. Depending on the tasks I have to do on a given day, I average walking about 5 miles. There are days where I have hit 10!

Fortunately, I haven't received any complaints about it. It's not like the treadmill is all too loud, but I can understand how the pitter patter of the steps and whirring of the engine can be annoying. I've told coworkers who work near me that if it ever bothers them, let me know, and I'll turn it off. So far, no one has had any issues!

The most that I get is weird looks. People who pass by in the hallway will hear the engine and see me walking and be confused. They'll stare at it for a moment, and say they could never do that- that they don't have the coordination for it. I tell them that's what I thought, too, but it's been great for my health and work ethic! They'll commend me for trying it, and then go on their way.

It has yet to inspire anyone else to get a desk treadmill, so I am still a lone wolf trodding along. But the stares are pretty funny! What do you think? Have you ever tried using a desk treadmill to get a work out in while getting work done? Do you have similar techniques? Let me know on the app or hit me up on social media!