One of the main reasons I was drawn to the concept of the treadmill desk - beyond general fitness - was that I have a hard time sitting still. Even when focused and deep in thought on a project, I feel a need to get up and move around, interrupting my train of thought.
As I have grown more accustomed to walking and working, I notice that it is a lot easier to stay focused for longer periods of time.
One slightly awkward aspect of the DayTreader is when co-workers drop in my office to collaborate briefly or ask a question. I don't mind talking and walking, but my colleagues seem ill at ease. They joke that I should have two DayTreaders in my office so we can walk and talk together. If a conversation goes much beyond 30 seconds, I just jump off the DayTreader and sit down at my desk.
I'm five pounds down this week (18 pounds total since Jan. 1). Though not entirely due to DayTreader exercise (I have cut back on calories, too), I'm thrilled with the results so far.
Treader Tracker
On a trek to reach 150 pounds
The Journey Begins
Back in 2005, I ran across an article about James Levine, M.D. and his treadmill desk concept. I was intrigued enough to Google for treadmill desk suppliers, but found none. I decided I was on my own until the concept caught on and desk/treadmill manufacturers got together, so I picked up a used treadmill on ebay for $90 with intentions of fashioning my own treadmill-desk.
That used treadmill remained motionless in storage at my office for more than two years, which provides some hint as to why I really need a treadmill-desk.
Perhaps through some renewed PR effort by Mayo Clinic or by Steelcase (which now manufactures what I was looking for a few years ago), I saw a TV news story about treadmill desks . . . undoubtedly timed to coincide with 2009 New Year's resolutions.
Well, it worked (thanks PR guys).
In the last week of 2008, I dusted off the treadmill and pulled it into the garage.
It was time to pimp my tread'.
The treadmill god (depicted by ancients as a hamster on a wheel) must have blessed me when I went to Goodwill in Junkyard Wars-esque pursuit of parts for my machine. Buried under a mound of musty furniture, I found an ergonomic computer desk with a top perfectly formed to my needs - and it was only $5.
Here's how I put it together:
1. I started with a very basic treadmill that was designed to be easily stored away.
2. I removed the handrails and control panel.
3. I squared off the tops of the control panel supports so that the desktop could be fastened flat (rather than angled as the control panel was positioned).
4. I trimmed and repurposed the handrails as supports for the desktop.
5. Using the legs from the ergonomic desk, I mounted the control panel to the right of the desktop.
6. I mounted a sliding keyboard platform to increase the available workspace.
The finished product (final cost: ~$125)
Desktop view
Capitalizing on the original easy-storage design, I made sure that the desktop and keyboard tray did not block folding functionality
So begins the journey with one step on the treadmill desk. This blog started in the waning hours of 2008. I will use it to log my success (or - hamster-god forbid - failure) with my newly fashioned treadmill-desk.
That used treadmill remained motionless in storage at my office for more than two years, which provides some hint as to why I really need a treadmill-desk.
Perhaps through some renewed PR effort by Mayo Clinic or by Steelcase (which now manufactures what I was looking for a few years ago), I saw a TV news story about treadmill desks . . . undoubtedly timed to coincide with 2009 New Year's resolutions.
Well, it worked (thanks PR guys).
In the last week of 2008, I dusted off the treadmill and pulled it into the garage.
It was time to pimp my tread'.
The treadmill god (depicted by ancients as a hamster on a wheel) must have blessed me when I went to Goodwill in Junkyard Wars-esque pursuit of parts for my machine. Buried under a mound of musty furniture, I found an ergonomic computer desk with a top perfectly formed to my needs - and it was only $5.
Here's how I put it together:
1. I started with a very basic treadmill that was designed to be easily stored away.
2. I removed the handrails and control panel.
3. I squared off the tops of the control panel supports so that the desktop could be fastened flat (rather than angled as the control panel was positioned).
4. I trimmed and repurposed the handrails as supports for the desktop.
5. Using the legs from the ergonomic desk, I mounted the control panel to the right of the desktop.
6. I mounted a sliding keyboard platform to increase the available workspace.
The finished product (final cost: ~$125)
Desktop view
Capitalizing on the original easy-storage design, I made sure that the desktop and keyboard tray did not block folding functionality
So begins the journey with one step on the treadmill desk. This blog started in the waning hours of 2008. I will use it to log my success (or - hamster-god forbid - failure) with my newly fashioned treadmill-desk.
