The Blog

Have you ever considered the amount of time in a day you spend sitting? Behind the wheel of your car, at your desk at work, relaxing on the couch after a long day… tally up the time, and if you are anything like me, the average time you are sitting is at least 8 hours a day.

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting, known in the research world as “sedentary behavior”, is an unhealthy behavior completely distinct from too little exercise! In the past decade, scientists have concluded that increased sedentary behavior, even in avid athletes, is a major health risk that is linked with health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Fortunately, it is fairly simple to cut back on sedentary behavior – getting up every 30 minutes and doing light physical activity can do the trick!

SOME TIPS AND TRICKS TO LIMIT SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR:

Rather than sitting…

• Try standing or pacing while you are on the phone
• During TV shows, do chores like ironing or washing dishes, a get up and move during commercial breaks
• At your desk, get up and stretch, walk to a coworker’s office rather than calling, or try standing at your desk with your computer propped up on books or boxes
• Get your work team involved! Join the H-E-B Community Challenge and organize weekly walking meetings
• Download the Teach Healthier App and do a five-minute Energizer with your family every morning and evening

Written By Caroline Hilbert, IT’S TIME TEXAS Program Coordinator