How many hours a day do you spend sitting? I’m not just talking about in front of the television or computer; but just being sedentary? Sad to say it, but it’s killing you!
Researchers analyzed five large studies of 2 million people throughout the world and discovered that people who spend more than 3 hours a day sitting had a life expectancy 2 years shorter than people who sat for less that 3 hours a day.
And if you think that working out everyday counteracts the hours that you are sitting; think again. Lack of movement has shown to shut down down the genes that regulate glucose and fat. This has been associated with heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other health problems.
This doesn’t mean that daily exercise is a waste of time. In fact, you need to keep up with daily exercise in order to build and keep the muscle you have. Exercise and weight lifting also helps with your cardiovascular health, strength and healthy brain chemical balance.
For the times when you must be at a desk or are sitting in front of the TV, find time to move around. Get rid of your desk chair and get a stability ball. Set a timer for every 45 minutes to get up and move around. Get a standing (or treadmill) desk so you are up and on your feet throughout the day. Try to schedule walk meetings with colleagues. Get a headset for your office phone so you can move around as you work. Get creative and get up. The point is to make sure you are not sitting all day! A little movement can go a long way. So get off your ass!
Source: US News