It's Your Move, So Don't Blow It

By Sandy Schroeder

Most of us move very little as we settle into our chairs for work, drive around, sit down for lunch and dinner, and then finally land on the sofa in the evening.  If we are lucky, we fit in 30 minutes of activity somewhere in the day, walking, jogging, lifting weights or stretching, but that is a big if. 

I always intend to get 30 minutes of activity during the day, but if I don't make it before breakfast, it may not happen. All of the usual extras turn up, and my exercise time vanishes.

Measure Your Moves

To see where you stand with activity, just take a look at your average day and estimate how much of it is spent sitting. Then total up activity time. Try for this a week to see what the pattern is and where you might need to move more.

Harvard Health says too much sitting can impact heart health and can generate a lot of bad habits. Snacking often plays right into sitting with predictable weight gain,  and long hours in front of computer screens can create tension in the neck and shoulders.  Stiffness in the hip flexors, which are the muscles at the top of the leg where the thigh meets the pelvis, can cause pain or trigger falls.       

Stand Up More

Make a point of taking breaks during the day in the morning and the afternoon and use part of your lunch time for walking, stretching or jogging.

Consider using a standing desk for part of your day with an hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon.

When you are in the phone stand up and walk around. When you are meeting with someone try walking while you talk or just stand up in your office.

Put a portable pedal device under your desk  or try sitting on an exercise ball for part of the day.

In the evening keep everyone active with dancing, ping pong, or treadmills and cycles.

Keep a canister of water on your desk to keep you hydrated and to insure you get up once in awhile. Also use a timer as a reminder to take moving breaks.

Take breaks from TV in the evening with squats, leg lifts or marching in place.

Catch up with friends with biking, walks or jogs.

It really is your move. To feel your best make sure you move whenever you can and make sure your family does too.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chula Vista, Calif.