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When we create an energy imbalance between the calories we consume and the calories we expend which means if we eat more food than we can burn off we are going to become overweight. This is now an epidemic situation but only 100 odd years ago this was not such the problem it is today. Obesity is a modern dilemma and statistics did not even exist for it 50 years ago. But now statistics show up to two thirds of the developed world is overweight and these figures continue to escalate. The three main contributors to this are: 1) a trend towards decreased activity levels due to the increasingly sedentary nature of our work. 2) a global shift towards processed and refined foods that are energy dense, high in fats and sugars but low in fiber, vitamins, minerals and other macro-nutrients. 3) labor saving devices and motorized transport. Because of personal and work related computer use, television watching, the car and automated chores much of the 16 hour period that people are awake each day is spent as idle sitting time. This time is sedentary as it is defined as the absence of whole body movement. This is being closely linked with the epidemic of common and deadly 'chronic lifestyle diseases' in our world today. These include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and disorders of the metabolism (the body's engine) from obesity. The problems seem to begin when the big powerful muscles of the legs and back are immobilized through sitting suppressing a fat-absorbing enzyme called lipase. When the muscles are working and moving it pushes the distribution of lipase around the body processing fats and sugars from the blood stream so they can not hang around causing damage to cells and tissues. If your work or leisure activities include long periods of chair time you are seriously risking your health. People who spend a lot of time sitting have increases of 2-3 times the rates of modern killer diseases. To protect yourself you need to get started on a proper program of exercise that includes mostly strength training exercise to work the muscular system of the body. This will help offset the sitting time but you will also need to take some time out during the seated periods and do brief sessions of some type of exercise that works big muscles. You could simply stand at your desk and squat up and down slowly. Hold on to the desk lightly if you need too for balance. There are other exercises you can even do while sitting.
The human body is not made for sitting - our bodies were meant to move - a lot. They crave the movement which is necessary for strength, fitness and good health. We cannot deny our biology and if we continue to go against what we are programmed for living sedentary lifestyles our bodies can not operate as they were designed to operate. You will know if you are spending too much time on your backside. If so get yourself started on your proper exercise and get moving more during the day as well. Only this will help to offset the insidious health hazard of sitting that us humans have created for ourselves by trying to make our lives comfortable and easy and removing the movement that our bodies need to stay healthy. Doesn't really make sense does it?
Do you want to discover the secret to rejuvenating your body and improving the quality of your life? Download my free ebook "Ive 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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