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Published -
- March 29, 2016
- 10:05 pm
Fitness expert and male model, Roger Frampton, discusses how chairs are your enemy.
How attitudes towards exercise are flawed and suggests an alternative way to look at how our bodies can become strong and agile.
What are some steps we can take to adopt a more active lifestyle?
Sitting down is something we do for hours every day. We sit at a desk at work, sit on our commute, and sit on the couch after dinner. However, the sedentary lifestyle that sitting promotes is slowly killing us.
Research shows that sitting down for extended periods is associated with a number of health risks. Our muscles weaken and our metabolism slows down. We are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer. In fact, some studies have shown that sitting for more than eight hours a day increases risk of premature death by up to 60%.
People have been sitting for thousands of years, so why is it suddenly such a problem? The answer lies in our modern lifestyle. Unlike our ancestors, who had to move to hunt, gather, or farm, we can now order food and do our work from the comfort of our own homes. We don’t even need to stand up to switch the TV on or off. As a result, we have become lazy and inactive, leading to all sorts of negative effects on our bodies and minds.
The good news is that there are steps we can take to combat the negative effects of sitting. One of the most effective is to simply move more. Breaking up long periods of sitting with brief bouts of activity, such as taking a walk around the block or doing a few stretches, can make a significant difference in our health.
Another important step is to choose a more active lifestyle overall. This could mean taking up a new sport, going for regular hikes or runs, or even just doing household chores that require movement and activity.
In addition, it’s important to pay attention to our posture when we do sit down. Sitting up straight, with our shoulders back and our feet on the ground, takes pressure off our spine and helps to prevent back pain and other posture-related issues.
Sitting down is not inherently bad, but it is our over-reliance on it that is causing harm. By taking action to move more, maintain good posture, and adopt a more active lifestyle overall, we can reduce the health risks associated with sitting and live longer, healthier lives.
