Ask HN: What are you doing to improve your health?

Without mentioning the mental side of the health, I'd concentrate on: - What you eat, - How well you sleep, - How active you are.

I'm sure you're going to get a lot of good conventional advice on these. Rather than writing a 10-page document by trying to cover all, I'm going to try to concentrate on a single thing: How to be active during work hours.

I've been a very long-time gym goer and I've always thought that "walking" is one of the less productive ways to exercise... except if you do it instead of sitting.

Two years ago I started to work from home. When I was setting up my office, I really hesitated between buying a traditional desk and a stand-up desk. I wasn't sure enough about it, and, at the end, I opted for a traditional desk. However, until last year, I had had a walking-desk/treadmill-desk idea in a corner of my mind.

Last year I decided to go for it. I did some research and I bought a second-hand treadmill. I bought a good model, for one tenth of its original price and I was careful that its shape and design suited my plans. I built a two-level desk on its handles and controls, out of regular Home Depot material. Lower level for my wireless keyboard and trackpad and the higher level for the notepad/monitor.

I walk & work 2-3 hours every day. Two things I can't do: - Video conf: People tell me it's making them nauseous to see my head bobbing around. :) - Handwriting: I have a good handwriting, but not when I walk. It's much more practical to take digital notes.

I usually pick the best works suited to walking: - Long conf calls - Watching presentations - Reading something

I can definitely code with ease when I walk however I don't get the benefit of my multiple screens so I tend to pick the right work.

I would recommend that to everyone who'd like to be more active and burn extra calories. It's a low-intensity workout and you can optimize it as you want. You can start without incline and add incline as you get more comfortable.

Now... I know that this is easier for someone in my situation and that working from home, one has more liberty to shape his/her office. However, this doesn't have to be during work hours. My wife uses my treadmill-desk when she's talking to her mum (usually long phone calls :) ). You can watch your favorite TV show or favorite team playing while walking. You can easily go through your e-mails or daily news. Even 30 mins/day is better than nothing.

Willing to change things is usually the hardest step. Good luck with it.

Gyms are not libraries. They should be dirty and loud.