FatFatGuyAssMaster
Member
This is something that has been playing on my mind for some time but I'm wondering how many of you out there spend large parts of the day at a desk working on a computer? I'm a software developer so I routinely spend 10 hours plus behind a computer. Movement seems to be a key factor in the frequency and duration of twitching episodes, I.e. the more you move the less you twitch...until of course you stop moving again. Can anyone relate to this?I've realised that sitting for long periods is having a detrimental effect on my health and the growing body of evidence supports this idea. The most notable problem I have experienced is muscle soreness in my back, particularly in the thoracic region between my shoulder blades (I've always, perhaps wrongly put this down to BFS). Recent studies have also shown that the ill effects of sitting for long periods appear not to be offset by regular trips to the gym.So last week I took a drastic step and bought a stand-up desk (Actually a breakfast bar from IKEA to save costs!). I spend all day in the office standing up at my computer, it's tough for the first few days but it gets much easier! It's still early days, but my back pain has completely disappeared and standing at work seems to focus my mind and the crashing you get at around mid-morning and afternoon (after meals) has all but gone!But what does any of this have to do with BFS? Well maybe none, although there's good reason to believe that it may be effective. Standing up improves circulation, reduces blood pressure and allows your body to more effectively regulate blood sugar. It also "allegedly" assists with lymph flow and it almost certainly increases calorie burn (up to 50 more calories per hour, depending on weight). If you suspect that any of these may have some role in BFS then it may be worth investigating. I have always believed that BFS is strongly linked to anxiety. I do however feel that anxiety can be controlled by making broader lifestyle changes through diet, exercise or maybe even how you spend your day at the office! One thing is for sure if you twitch a lot in your legs...you won't standing up all day!Also I should mention that stand up desks are not a modern phenomenon, Thomas Jefferson, Charles *beep* and Ernest Hemingway allegedly all stood up while working.Further Reading:
up to 14 in my worse time just before BFS
For those interested purely in reducing muscle fasics then I can only advocate patience. This is one (albeit significant) intervention that has enabled me to cope with stress much more effectively. BTW none of those interventions include supplements, or cutting out things I enjoy (e.g. caffeine, sugar etc). Two years ago my nervous system was completely wired! Years of burning the candle at both ends...my twitching and anxiety levels were off the chart and it took me a while to get back on track. These days I'll twitch a handful of times a day, more if I'm not dealing with my stress. By eliminating my back pain it was one-less thing to stress about.For those that want to try this, then don't worry about what your colleagues think! Build the IKEA hybrid (recommended by TwitchyAz - only $22) and try not to cheat! (i.e. no bar stools). First few days are hard, but it gets easier and you'll probably shed a 2-3 KG in the process.. Happy days!!