ShFIT Talk Episode #11: The Effects of a Sedentary Lifestyle

Did you know:

The average person spends 12 hours a day sedentary (aka sitting).

Not only that but physical inactivity is the 4th leading risk factor for mortality and leads to an estimated 3.2 million deaths a year.

OK. Now we got all those scary numbers out of the way and I got your attention...let's talk about what inactivity actually is. So often we get blindsided by this “doctor recommended 150 min of activity a week” means you are active. But if all you do is 150 min a week and you spend the rest of the time sitting (be it on the couch watching TV, your desk working, or in front of your PC gaming) yet a common misconception is that exercise counter the effects of inactivity and sitting too long.

Physical inactivity has so many side effects, yet many of us have jobs that seem to equal just 8 hours (480 min) sitting at a desk….that doesn’t even count your:

Commute time...SITTING!!!!

Dinner time….SITTING!!!!

Relaxing at the end of the day….SITTING!!!!

Going to the bathroom….SITTING!!!

Physical inactivity can increase the risks of certain cancers and can contribute to anxiety (personally can confirm over here) and depression. Not only that but physical inactivity has been linked to risk factors for certain cardiovascular diseases.

Let's get real here, people who engage in more physical activity are less likely to develop coronary heart disease. And physical activity doesn’t have to be HARD CORE! There is such a thing as low intensity ‘non-exercise” activities like standing and walking. And these activities play a HUGE role in our daily total energy expenditure.

Standing can help lower your health issues, but it can help to increase your energy and productivity level while improving your mood and boost your metabolism, tone your muscles and more. It can help reduce osteoporosis and even help you develop better day to day posture. Makes you wish your office would provide a standing desk.

When you alternate between sitting and standing it actually increases the enzymes needed to metabolize food. It's simple, when you're moving the fat-burning enzymes stay activated... burning

At the end of the day even subtle movement - even standing - breaks up prolonged sitting and promotes higher HDL (“good” cholesterol) and lower LDL (“bad cholesterol”) which in turn can improve blood pressure and lower the risk of heart attack.

Let's fight back against overly sedentary lifestyles the easiest way….by just standing up