How do you deal with the sedentary lifestyle that comes with being overloaded at work and needing to be in front of the computer most days, sometimes into the AM just to get things done? I’ll have a good week where I get to go to the gym everyday, and then 2 weeks of it being impossible, having super late nights, throwing off my sleep schedule and still not keeping up. It’s frustrating and feel hopeless when lack of time is literally the factor, not some excuse

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Commenting for help. I've since gained 50 pounds joining big law because I can't leave my bloody computer. As we speak, I've been sitting here since 9am with swollen ankles. 😒😔

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Give yourself grace!! It’s not easy being an attorney in big law. You all deal with a ton of stress. Focus on what you can control.

For me, I have to keep up the habit of doing something every day, otherwise I just stop completely. So, when things are insanely busy (Ex. Q4), i try to be a bit more active while i work. For example, unless I’m on camera or doing a difficult negotiation, I pace around my office or do simple exercises (Ex. calf raises) when I’m on calls. It’s not a lot, but it’s something. If i have a bit more time, I take a 10-15 min walk during lunch. When things aren’t insane though, I have to force myself to make time for something. Sometimes I’m too burned out for the gym, but an evening walk is always a relaxing alternative.

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Give yourself a break/grace and don’t mentally beat yourself up when you can’t make it to the gym every day. If you happen to work with others in office, literally walk to offices to talk instead of calling or emailing - even if doing so would be quicker or more “productive”. On days you really don’t have time to workout or move, focus on what you can control by managing stress in other ways and eating healthy

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At my last firm, a whole group of us would get together in the largest conference room to do planks. It was the same time everyday when you hit that afternoon slump. We started off just with 30 seconds then eventually got up to over a minute! We also changed it up and did calf raises, wall sits, etc. It helps doing little things like that periodically. Make sure you’re getting up to get water often, maybe get a sit/stand desk if possible, and they have little foot steppers you can do at your desk as well. The water and foot steppers are pretty inexpensive things to do to help. The sit stand - a talk with a doctor and getting a note and lots of firms will accommodate. Just little things that add up but that don’t take a ton of time/effort away from your work.

Also agree with the other advice - walk to offices, give yourself grace, focus on what you can control.

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