Make the First Move
In the movies, when bad news is coming, they often say, “Are you sitting down?” Well, in this case, the bad news is sitting down – too much, that is.
Research shows, on average, Americans spend 11 hours sitting each day.
And, according to the American Heart Association, sedentary jobs have increased by 83% over the last 70 years. With those numbers, the odds are that you, and many people you know, have to sit at a desk for most of their waking hours.
Unfortunately, that means many working adults are at risk for the health issues of a sedentary lifestyle, such as heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes, not to mention a higher probability of back pain, varicose veins, and blood clots. It kind of makes you want to stand up right now, doesn’t it?
Making movement a regular part of your life can have a major, positive impact on your health. Moving more now can even help undo some of the damage caused by years of inactivity. And evidence shows that both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise programs are important to heart health and longevity.
So, for the next four days, we’ll help you take a stand against the sedentary lifestyle by sharing information about some of the best exercise routines for your heart. And we’ll also show you some fun and easy ways to get moving that won’t even seem like exercise – even if you haven’t been active in a while.
Schedule time to stand up and move if you spend most of your days sitting. Try setting an alarm every two hours, and when the alarm goes off, get on your feet for at least five minutes. Head down the hall to talk to a coworker, carry the laundry upstairs, or take a quick walk around the block. If you don’t have a desk job and tend to sit in front of the TV all day, make yourself get up during the commercials. Whatever you do, break the sitting cycle several times a day.