I got a doctor’s note and convinced my employer to let me have a stand-up desk. I’ve had low back pain for as long as I can remember, and I’ve read a lot about the benefits of standing while working, so I wanted to give it a try. One doctor’s note later, and I got myself a stand up desk to coincide with my department’s move to a new floor.
So, it’s been about a week, and my back feels great. My feet, on the other hand, want to shrivel up and die. They’re killing me. I got gel insoles. I got a note from my doctor to wear ‘special shoes.’ The special shoes were intended to be my Vibram Five Finger Classics, which I was already busted for wearing at work (dress code violation, apparently). HR vetoed my Doctor’s note for special shoes, saying I can’t just wear whatever shoes I want; but that’s a whole other matter that I won’t get into here. They also want me to have a note to get a stool that’s the appropriate height for the stand-up desk. I would assume a chair would come with a desk, but I guess not. It’s bordering on harassment if you ask me, but like I said, that’s a whole other story.
I am getting an anti-fatigue mat, and it should be here today. I hope that helps my feet. I really do.
Another side effect of standing up all day: I feel hungrier. I feel much hungrier when I get home, and lunch doesn’t seem to sustain me for as long as it used to.
Eventually, I’d like to work up to using a resistance band to do a little strength training while I stand all day. We’ll see how things go.
