Are you someone who crashes out in front of the TV or computer after completing your exercise session for the day? Be careful! Too much sitting could counteract all of your fitness gains, and more.
Related Blog: 6 Healthy Habits for Seniors to Stay Active
A growing body of evidence indicates what you do during the day may have a bigger impact on your physical response to exercise than the exercise session itself. Research following 123,000 physically active adults for 13 years found those who spent six hours per day sitting were over 20% more likely to die during the duration of the study than those who spent less than three hours per day sitting.
What Can You Do to Stay Active Every Day?
Don’t let this information discourage you. Scientists believe low-intensity activity and simple chores may be enough to counteract the negative effect of sitting. We recommend:
1. Taking Periodic Walks
Peak benefits come from completing 30 minutes of exercise several times a week. However, breaking up your walks into multiple bouts that total 30 minutes will show the same results. Each Moorings Park campus offers a unique set of walking paths and destinations that make movement less like exercise and more like an adventure.
2. Setting a S.M.A.R.T Movement Goal
The acronym S.M.A.R.T stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Based.
When used in goal setting it can be a powerful tool to help an individual manage change.
An example of a S.M.A.R.T movement goal is: I will incorporate more movement into my daily routine by standing up during TV commercial breaks no fewer than five times per day. Within two months I will work my way up to remain standing during at least eight TV commercial breaks per day.
3. Considering a Stand-Up Desk
Standing instead of sitting while working at your computer can burn approximately 5 extra calories per hour. It may not sound like much, and it’s not. However, this practice brings larger benefits. Standing instead of sitting assists in developing endurance in the lower body and core, and the strengthening of other structures that contribute to posture and balance.
Moorings Park Communities has a 40-year history in providing integrated wellness programs that combine diet, exercise, and concierge healthcare under one roof. For any questions about any of our communities, feel free to contact us today.
