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How much time do you spend sitting down? It could be riding in a car, working at a desk, playing video games, using a computer, or watching television or some other seated activity. Think about it as it could be a problem even if you exercise regularly. And if you don't exercise and live a life mainly seated you could be in for big trouble down the track somewhere. Research has revealed that most adults spend more than half of their waking hours in sedentary activities (mostly sitting), with the remainder of the time spent in light intensity activities such as standing or walking around. Only about 4.5% of the day is spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity. What they also found in the research is a progressively higher risk of premature death as sitting time increased. This is a big wake up call for the 75% of work in industrialized countries being performed while sitting and chair time is now considered an insidious health hazard. For example, people who spent three fourths of their day sitting were 36% to 47% more likely to die than those who spent only one fourth of the day sitting. Importantly, it didn't make any difference whether those people were otherwise active or inactive, the risks were the same. Lack of proper exercise especially when accompanied by too much sitting causes shrinking and weakening of the muscles and bones and increases susceptibility to physical injury. We now are fully aware that not doing enough muscle building and maintaining exercise influences and hastens the aging process itself. Our muscles need to be stimulated to tell our bodies to renew and repair themselves. Our bodies are programmed for hard physical activity that enabled our ancestors to survive and still respond to the messages we send them. When signals are not been received that strength is needed we go into a premature 'shutdown mode' to make way for younger and stronger human beings. We used to believe that this was because of the passing years but it has now been proven that it is simply a lack of vigorous movement. What you can do about this. You need a proper exercise program in place and perform it 2-3 times per week as well as becoming as active as possible in your leisure time as well. Start off slowly and add extra exercise and activity into your life as your body and mind slowly accepts and makes the physical and mental changes necessary. Exercise and activity is not just 'something you so' it is 'something you become' over a period of time. Then you become an active person in every sense of the word. This makes the transition easy and gives you a chance to learn to enjoy the extra movement and activity in your life bit by bit. If you work seated you are going to in fact have to 'train' to become strong enough to actually do it for hours each day so it has less impact on your health. This will go a long way to stop your body deteriorating from lack of use. Just keep up with the basic maintenance with your exercise so you have somewhere to live for a very long time.
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "I've Found the Fountain of Youth- Let Me Show You Too!" here: Physical Wellness For Free Fitness Report here Fitness Weight Loss Carolyn Hansen is a certified fitness expert and fitness center owner who coaches clients to look and feel younger.
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