Your Chair is Dangerous

sed.ent.ary  (ˈse-d^ən-ˌter-ē) , adj.  2. doing or requiring much sitting

  Doing or requiring much sitting… That describes a very large part of the American population. Have you ever thought about how much time we spend in a seated position? We sit in the car, we sit at work, we sit watching TV, we sit while eating, and we sit while reading.  Even some people who exercise regularly – do it sitting (on a bike, a bench, or a machine) During the course of an average day, we have (of should have) at best 16 waking hours (24 hrs – 8 hrs sleep).  How much of that do you spend in a seated position? Chances are it’s more than you realize. Americans do a lot of sitting, and it’s killing us, literally. A recent article in the USA Today cited a study that found: the more we sit, the shorter we live.  So get up and move around.

While In the office…

• Stand up and walk around the office every 30 minutes.
• If you have multiple restrooms at your worksite, walk to the farthest.
• Always stand and/or walk around the room while talking on the telephone.
• Don’t e-mail office colleagues; walk to their desks instead.  

While watching TV…

• Get up and move during commercials.
• Take a 5-minute walk break every 30 minutes.
• Stand up and do some easy lunges or squats at least once every half-hour.
• Stand up and do some alternating leg balance exercises at least once every half-hour.
• Stand up and move for the opening segment of each TV show. 

David E. Cox, ACE-CPT, is a personal trainer that has dedicated his life to helping to improve the lives of others through exercise and healthy living. He is owner of Positive Vibes Fitness, a private personal training studio in Glen Burnie, MD where we educates, motivates, and inspires people from all walks of life. Be sure and sign up for his monthly eNewsletter, The Vibe, at www.positivevibesfitness.com