As we work, we sit more than we do anything else. We’re averaging 9.3 hours a day, compared to 7.7 hours of sleeping. Sitting is so prevalent and pervasive that we don’t even question how much we’re doing it. And, everyone else is doing it also, so it doesn’t occur to us that it’s not okay.
Of course, health studies conclude that people should sit less, and get up and move around more (Where have you heard this before?) After just 1 hour of sitting, the production of enzymes that burn fat declines by as much as 90%. Extended sitting slows the body’s metabolism affecting things like (good cholesterol) HDL levels in our bodies. Research shows that this lack of physical activity is directly tied to 6% of the impact for heart disease, 7% for type 2 diabetes, and 10% for breast cancer. Some doctors today actually believe that excessive sitting, which is defined as 9 hours a day, is a lethal activity.
So… what are you sitting there for? Get up… take a walk to see your co-worker instead of e-mailing….. On your way to the restroom, walk around the track a few times…. Take the stairs … ALWAYS….. Set a timer and at least once every hour, get up and MOVE. …. When the phone rings, stand up and talk instead of sitting. JUST GET MOVING!