Don’t let your job kill you: How to stay active as a software engineer

combating the sedentary lifestyle of a programmer
After working in the hospitality industry for 20 years, I decided to switch careers and become a software engineer. While I was excited about the new challenges and opportunities that came with this change, I quickly realised that the sedentary nature of my new job was taking a toll on my health.

I spent most of my day sitting in front of a computer. I didn’t have the same physical demands as I did in the hospitality industry, where I was constantly on my feet and moving around. As a result, I started to gain weight and noticed that my energy levels and overall fitness were declining.
I knew I needed to change to stay healthy and fit into this new career choice. I started using my lunch breaks to walk and hit the gym. This helped to improve my physical health and boosted my mental well-being and productivity.
Another way to incorporate more movement into my daily routine was to use a standing desk. Standing desks allowed me to work on my computer while standing up, which can help to reduce the adverse effects of prolonged sitting. Some studies have shown that standing desks can improve mood and energy levels.

In addition to taking regular breaks and using a standing desk, there are other ways to stay fit as a software engineer. Here are a few suggestions:

• Use your lunch break to go for a walk or to the gym. If you're working from home, why not work IN your gym gear, so there are fewer excuses when it's time to go?
• Early riser? Head to the gym before work; it will do wonders for your concentration and productivity.
• Join a local sports team or group fitness class.
• Try some at-home HIIT workouts; YouTube can be a great starting point.
• Make healthy food choices and stay hydrated throughout the day. I fill two water bottles at the start of the day and usually have to top them up again around lunch. If they are close at hand, you will drink them! BONUS-more walking to the toilet!
• Set reminders to get up and move throughout the day. This can be as simple as selecting the alarm on your phone or using a standing desk with a built-in timer.
• What about gamifying it? Check out another of my articles below for a few ideas; I liked Zombies, Run(especially as someone who isn’t crazy about running)

Gamify Your Workouts: How Fitness Apps Can Help You Crush Your Goals

Gamifying fitness is a popular trend that has taken the world of health and wellness. By incorporating…

medium.com

It’s important to remember that everyone’s fitness needs are different, so what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find activities and strategies that work for you and make them a regular part of your routine. I was happy doing extra work for side projects or training, as software development is exciting and fun. This led to me being comfortable using my spare time to continue to code instead of workout!
Incorporating movement and healthy habits into your daily routine as a software engineer can be challenging, but it’s worth it. Not only will it help you to stay fit and healthy, but it can also boost your productivity and overall quality of life. You can be a more prosperous and happy software engineer by consciously taking care of yourself. Happy training!