Work less ‘sitting’ time into your day

Fact to get you to “Move more; sit less”:

The average American spends 55 percent of his or her waking time sitting. — Vanderbilt University Study, American Journal of Epidemiology, 2008.

“Sitting disease has a direct correlation to all cause mortality … We are essentially moving from chair to chair.” — David Dunstan, Ph.D., Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Australia

“In a 65-year life, we will have sat in front of a TV for over 9 years.” — “Television & Health,” California State University-Northridge

It isn’t the act of sitting that is the problem – it is how much of it we are doing. Consider the amount of sitting you do each day:

• during your morning commute.
• at your desk.
• in meetings.
• at meals.
• during your evening commute.
• relaxing in front of the TV.
• helping kids with homework.

What can you do? Here are some ideas:

• Park as far away from the door as you can and walk.
• Take a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon and walk, take some stairs, and get away from technology.
• Take a walk after dinner.
• Take a walking meeting.
• Find a physical activity you enjoy – and schedule it in your calendar three times per week to make it a priority.