lets move more

Most Australians will spend 22-23 hours each day sitting or lying down. Shocking - for our health, plus very fat producing. Driving, office work, watching TV, computer time - it all adds up, and the more we sit, the more detrimental it is for us. We really aren’t moving very much at all! Only a small minority of us actually get outside and actively take in all the Whitsundays has on offer or head to the gym to work up a sweat.
In a typical 24 hours most people sleep around six to eight hours each night, get up only to then sit to eat breakfast or read the paper, sit to drive to work, sit at their desk all day, then sit to travel home again. Most will then sit on the couch after a hard day to watch television or sit again at their computer, maybe get up to make some dinner if they haven’t driven through that convenient takeaway, back to the couch and the cycle continues. Does that surprise you when you look at the big picture? Are you sitting for more of your day than standing? Sitting for great lengths of time may appear harmless but in reality it’s a silent killer.

Our society is now structured around computer based systems and automated programs, easy access to fast food convenience, all resulting in obesity which leads to many chronic degenerative diseases, increased postural problems, more weight, less muscle and less fitness just to name a few. Carrying around excess fat is definitely not positive for us.

While we have made our homes and workplaces supposedly more effective, we have done the exact opposite to our bodies. We used to walk to the supermarket, walk our kids to school, mow the lawns, ride bikes, climb trees - in short, we were consistently more active. We are now moving a lot less, causing HUGE problems on our health, in turn creating an increasing societal dilemma of long term health issues.

“When we sit, we have muscle ‘dis-use’ – our muscles are essentially ‘sleeping’. When we’re up and moving, we’re contracting muscles and these frequent contractions throughout the day are beneficial for helping to regulate the body’s metabolic processes.”

Our bodies are amazing machines designed to be strong, healthy and functional. We were designed to move. Not sit. And it’s taking it’s toll. If you actually are stuck at a desk/computer for a long time get up every once in awhile, utilise every chance to walk around, stretch out your body, throw in a few squats or jumping jacks, use the toilet... you get the picture. The goal is to reduce the amount of time sitting. Choose to stand every opportunity you can.

Also ensure you are getting regular exercise every single day. Start with simply walking for thirty minutes on a daily basis. Walking will not only help you lose the excess weight but will also release all those feel good endorphins that are crucial to an overall positive mood. Release all that built up energy and tension you may have accumulated throughout your day.

Head to the gym! Make it a constant in your life. Fitness Venue in both Proserpine and Cannonvale offers support and motivation plus provides a huge cross section of activity to help you create your transformation. In addition to an extensive variety of machines, free weights and cardio equipment, there is also a potpourri of fitness classes and small group training sessions to choose from so becoming active is always engaging. Vary it up!

Dietary changes are also a must. Eliminating the fast food and incorporating more raw fruits and vegetables into your daily lifestyle is a great place to start.

You want to be fit and healthy? It’s never too late to take control of your health. Making small changes, one step at a time, can steer you in the right direction towards a healthier and lighter you. So if you’re not already, stand up! Get moving - consistent activity and the mindset of a warrior is what allows the most determined to rise above and be successful with their health goals. YOU, choose to be one of them and really get out there, embrace life and all it has on offer! Life is an exciting journey! Ann.

 

email annparrott@optusnet.com.au • text/phone 0412 753 899
further reading at www.annpt.blogspot.com • www.annpt.com

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