I read this title a few days ago. I didn't read the article but it stuck with me. We are sitting more than ever before as the human race. It is killing us. If you are sitting basically all day you cannot combat the negative health effects with just 30-60 minutes of exercise three times per week.
Consider the following information.
- The Journal of the National Cancer Institute states that sitting for prolonged periods of time increases the risk for cancer.
- American Journal of Epidemiology study states that sitting for more than six hours a day increases risk of developing heart disease.
- According to the Mayo Clinic, not moving throughout the whole day leads to obesity.
- An article in Diabetologia states that those who sit the most are twice as likely to develop diabetes.
- Sitting creates atrophy and loss of pliability in the muscles.
- Lipoprotein Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fat and when one sits for prolonged periods of time, the levels of Lipoprotein Lipase drop.
- Rates of depression are higher in those who sit the most.
Our bodies are made for movement. If you have a career that keeps you sitting you need some strategies to get moving. Here are some I have thought of and it would be great to here your ideas.
- Keep a cup on your desk for water and one time an hour get up and go fill it up
- Stand up each time you make a phone call or whenever you can handle a phone call standing up
- When you stand up pace around
- If a meeting can be conducted invite those in the meeting to walk
- Get a stand up desk
- Do a body weight exercise once per hour (ie. plank, push ups, lunges, squats)
- Every 20 minutes take a break and walk for a few minutes
- Take the stairs
- Park in the farthest parking space
- Exercise at every commercial
- Use cardio equipment when watching TV
Does this seem unreasonable? Consider the alternative.