A sedentary lifestyle is linked to obesity and increased risk of heart disease. While regular exercise has many health benefits, what you do between your workouts has a big impact on your health too. If you sit for several hours a day, you may still be hurting your health, even if you work out every evening. The solution to this problem is to stand and move around more during the day. Here are some ways to achieve that goal.
Buy A Treadmill
If you usually sit on the couch and watch TV for a few hours each day, consider putting a treadmill in front of the television set so you can watch your shows while you walk. You don't have to exert yourself too much, even walking at a leisurely pace will keep you standing and moving rather than being sedentary on the couch.
Get A Standing Desk
If you're like a lot of people, you probably spend a lot of time on your computer. You can use this time to stand by placing your computer on a standing desk. You can find various standing desks for sale online. Some of these even fit over a treadmill so you can walk and work at the same time. Others are just like a traditional desk, but they are counter height, so you have to stand to use them comfortably.
Set A Timer
Although it is convenient to have equipment to help you stand more often, you don't really need it. You'll probably need reminders though, or you will forget and find yourself sitting for long stretches of time. You can set a timer to go off every half hour, so you can stand, stretch, and take a short walk. Another idea is to make a pact to get off the couch and walk around every time a commercial comes on.
Walk More
Another way to get in more standing time is to walk more. You may find that standing is boring, so walk extra steps when you can. If you live within walking distance of stores, you could walk to the grocery instead of driving. If you drive to the store, park in the opposite end of the parking lot. Take a long walk after dinner every evening. While walking more keeps you off the couch, remember, you don't want to sit for hours at a time between your walks. You still need to stand and walk often throughout the day.
The modern way of life with its many conveniences has made it easy to become sedentary. Sitting at the office all day and then sitting in front of the TV all night is habitual behavior that can be changed. It's a matter of switching new, healthier habits for the old ones that pose a danger to your health and longevity.
Share8 December 2014
