by Jen Foley, MVHNews fitness blogger, Healthy Lifestyles Director at Two Rivers YMCA
A recent Australian study has revealed a strong link between sitting and heart disease and other chronic ailments. The study at the Cancer Prevention Research Centre at in the School of Population Health at the University of Queensland, Australia, found that prolonged sitting at the office (for example), led to larger waists, higher blood pressure, higher levels of triglycerides, increased body inflammation and lower levels of “good” cholesterol.
Even if you exercised 30 – 60 minutes a day, it may not be sufficient. What you
should do is have frequent breaks when you stand up or move around during the day. The researchers suggested that people
incorporate frequent breaks with movements throughout the day since this is associated with smaller waistlines and better all-around health.
So, today, try your own experiment – notice how much you sit during the day and begin to pay attention to all the little opportunities to get up and move:
1) Park the car father away
2) Take the stairs
3) Walk to talk to someone instead of email
4) Walk over lunch
5) Conduct meetings on the go
6) Pick up the pace
If you have a job that requires sitting get up out of your seat a few times stretch, or walk down the hallway briskly. If your job involves walking, do it faster. Keep your chin up and your shoulders slightly back — and remember to breathe freely while you walk…your health may depend on it.
Source: http://health.msn.com/
For other stories related to this subject, check out the following:
- Beat the cubicle trap – NPR’s Patti Neighmond explains how you can improve your cardiovascular health and more by exercising at least 30 minutes a day.
- Here’s a link to a helpful infographic explaining how prolonged sitting can have a negative effect on your body.
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Jen Foley is the Healthy Lifestyles Director at the Two Rivers YMCA, Moline. Jen majored in Therapeutic Recreation at the University of Tennessee and Gerontology at Sonoma State University. She lives in Davenport with her husband, Tim and their two pugs Jack and Lucy. She enjoys having an active lifestyle and helping others achieve their goals.For a listing of all of Jen’s blog posts, click here. |
