 Do you feel like the pounds are sneaking on… or like you just don’t feel as vibrant as you used to? You’re not alone. It happens to all of us. We feel like it's an inevitale part of getting older. The great news is it’s just not true! We just move less than we used to. “Studies have found that people who spend more time each day watching television, sitting, or riding in cars have a greater chance of dying early than people who are more active”… and unfortunately... “staying active does not mitigate the harmful effects of sit time.”1 How depressing is that? Sitting makes us die early! As a personal trainer, I let my clients know that workouts that build muscle, keep joints mobile and their heart healthy are awesome. AND it's also essential to limit sitting and keep moving in day to day life too. So how can you become less sedentary, transform your body & live longer? The American Council on Exercise (ACE Fitness) 2, insists we need 5 mins of standing activity in every hour seated. OK yes, sometimes you're in a 3 hour meeting you can't stand up in but when that isn't the case here's a simple 2-step process you can use. 1. Make a note of the things you need to do that CAN involve being on your feet where you are (home, work). Eg, calls, coffee breaks, ironing etc. 2. Do them for 5 mins every hour you spend seated. It's a small change to make to avoid “the consequences of a sedentary life” that are “as well documented as they are dire.”! 3 “If there were a drug that could do for human health everything that exercise can, it would likely be the most valuable pharmaceutical ever developed.” ~Tarnopolsky 4 There are over 112 waking hours in the week for most of us. Even motivated exercisers spend only a few of these working out. Thankfully the less intense movements we do the rest of the time burn the lion's share of our daily calories. Walking is THE place to start no matter what your fitness level. I encourage my clients to sneak in extra steps any chance they get. An extremely wise man once said- “If you are in a bad mood go for a walk. If you are still in a bad mood go for another walk.” Hippocrates 5
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