Goal
Eat dinner 1/2 earlier today.
Better Health
Make an effort to stand and walk around more during the day if you have a desk job.
According to WHO, 60 to 85% of people in the world, from both developed and developing countries, lead sedentary lifestyles. Sitting for long periods of time is a public health concern that is not often addresses.
According to Medline Plus-National Library of Medicine
The side effects of sitting for too long,
“You burn fewer calories, this makes you more likely to gain weight.
You lose muscle strength and endurance.
Your bones may get weaker and lose some mineral content
Your body may have more trouble breaking down fats and sugars as your metabolism is affected.
Your immune systems declines
You may have poorer blood circulation
Inflammation increases
Hormonal imbalance increases
We know that sitting for long periods will increase our risk of
Obesity
Heart diseases, including coronary artery disease and heart attack
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Stroke
Metabolic syndrome
Type 2 diabetes
Certain cancers, including colon, breast, and uterine cancers
Osteoporosis and falls
Increased feelings of depression and anxiety
Sitting for long periods of time also tightens our hip flexors and hamstrings which contribute to lower back pain and knee stiffness.
It might help to,
Set a timer to remind you to get up and move around every so often.
Take your phone calls standing up.
Try an adjustable standing desk for your computer. This doesn’t have to be expensive, stack boxes to get increase height.
Use a stability ball, as you use muscles to stay upright.
Let’s talk about crash diets such as those involving eating fewer than 1,200 (if you're a woman) or 1,800 (if you're a man) calories a day. This type of diet will slow your metabolism. In addition, you will not consume enough micronutrients which your body needs.
We want to choose a lifestyle change that will be sustainable.
