Charlotte Poulter getting to grips with walking while using a standing desk
Charlotte Poulter, Head of Service for Cancer Coach, is writing a weekly blog about her experience taking part in Cancer Support UK’s Step into Spring challenge, which runs from 20 March to 29 April.
“As the Head of Service for Cancer Coach, I hear first-hand from our Cancer Coach participants how tough life can be during and after cancer treatment. I also see what a difference having the right support in place can make to someone who has cancer.
“That’s why, when our Step into Spring campaign was announced, I knew immediately that I wanted to take part. Each step represents not only a person who will be diagnosed with cancer this year, but a step towards improving the lives of all those affected by cancer.
Sign up for Cancer Support UK’s Step into Spring walking challenge and help us walk 400,000 steps this spring – that’s one for every person diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year – to build a brighter future for people affected by cancer.
Daily target – 10,000 steps
“Thinking ahead to this challenge, I wondered how I would achieve a target daily step total of 10,000 steps. When I used to commute every day, I’d easily achieve 10,000 steps, walking to work and back and around the office. I now work full time from home and while I love how this has transformed my work life balance and overall wellbeing, my step count has suffered. I often joke that walking from my desk to the kitchen for get a biscuit (or two) is the most exercise I do in my work day.
“But behind the joke is the more serious subject of how important movement and exercise is to general health and especially to health around cancer such as in this simple guide to walking for stress relief and fitness by our Ambassador Dr Nancy Priston.
Simple pleasures of walking
Although I work out regularly in a gym and enjoy hiking on the odd weekend, I do miss the simple pleasure of daily walking. So in taking on this challenge I also want to reset my own relationship with daily exercise and improve my health as well as raising vital funds to support our services.
So, how to achieve this? Introducing my version of a standing desk – inspired by a friend at a co-working space who always worked while standing. I have tried this alternative approach out and already felt the benefits.
A new approach to walking while working
I thought that walking at a standing desk would be easy…
It turns out that walking while looking at a screen is reminiscent of childhood car journeys to North Wales – having to stop every ten miles due to motion sickness. So, today, I’m starting with short bursts of walking, ten minutes every hour, while I adjust.
Over the coming weeks I look forward to trying different ways to meet my daily step count. I’ll share regular updates on my progress as I Step into Spring. I’d love you to join me on the journey by signing up for this exciting challenge, which will help benefit the lives of people living with and beyond cancer.
