Have you noticed that everywhere you go there is a chair and you are asked to “Have a Seat?” Waiting rooms, salons, restaurants, and pharmacies. Americans are spending a significant amount of time sitting. We move from chair to chair.
Lack of exercise is one of the biggest culprits of obesity. Obesity has become an epidemic, or a widespread occurrence causing multiple chronic diseases. We are eating 20% more calories and moving 30% less than we have in the past.
Most of us do not work in factories or in the fields. In 1960, more than 50% of jobs required physical activity. Now, only 20% of jobs require moderate levels of physical activity as recommended by the American Heart Association.
People feel more tired from not moving. The more you sit, the more tired you become. Your muscles do not exchange oxygen and toxins build up in the muscle causing you to feel tired.
Rate your energy level on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 the most tired and 10 the most active. Rate yourself on a day when you are active and compare to a day when you sit around all day. It is a good possibility you will have more energy when you have moved more throughout the day.
Moving more is recommended to reduce overall obesity. Where do you start? A University of Chester team and Dr. John Buckley conducted a study. Participants were asked to stand for three hours a day during their five day work week. They found an average of 750 extra calories were burnt every day.
Extra calories burnt over one year can add up to 30,000 extra calories, or 8 pounds of fat. This will help you feel lighter, more active, and less tired. So instead of having a seat every time you are asked, stand while waiting. The standing for an extra ten to fifteen minutes will add up over the year.
Spread the word. Change “Have a Seat” to “Enjoy moving around our space as you wait.”
Spread the word. Let’s loose more weight this year than we did last year by moving and standing more every day.
References:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24532996
http://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/obesity/
Mary Ann Wietbrock RN MSN is a Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist.
She is a Holistic Wellness Consultant at Cardinal Elements.
She is a wellness coach, a speaker and a wellness writer.
You can contact her at www.cardinalelements.com
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