Desk Jobs Are No Excuse To Sit!
It is estimated that the average American spends at least 10 hours sitting each day. A recent study proposed that the longer we sit, the slower out metabolism is, even when we exercise.
A friend of mine used to work in an office setting and said that within the first month of working there, she noticed a weight gain because of the free lunches and birthday cakes her co workers provided. They began to call the rise in the numbers on the scale a non-amusing symptom of working there.
Sitting down on the job all day can increase the risk of heart disease—even if you work out regularly. Further, our bodies thrive on an endorphin production, which can be produced by even simple movement like walking the stairs a few times. No one has to get revved up mentally. You don’t have to put work aside and prepare for intense exercise. Just take time to stand up and move around!
I love birds, but killing two with one stone makes sense to me. That’s why making the intention to drink enough water every hour to then need a refill is so great. We need water to function, to increase stamina and concentration. Keep a bottle or glass of water at your desk and take trips to refill it!
The recommended amount of daily activity to maintain our health is 10,000 steps. As an inexpensive reminder, purchase a pedometer and make a goal to increase your steps by a thousand each day until you reach at least 10,000.
Try setting a reminder on a computer, cell phone, or tell a friend who will get moving, as well. Being cognizant of the importance will make you more likely to get to it!
Finally, focus more on motion than distance. I think of keeping some of my clients’ entire hour-long workouts within ten square feet of the gym, and think, “Anyone can do something from their cubicle, too.” Understand that we don’t have to go far to move further in fitness!
PL&F, Laura
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