For many, working long hours combined with travel to and from work results in a big percentage of time spent sitting. Add to this the time spent in front of the TV or electronic devices, and very little time is spent engaging in actual physical activity.
Long periods of inactivity have been associated with a range of health issues which is why many are now calling sitting ‘the new smoking’. Study upon study suggests that a sedentary lifestyle puts us at risk of chronic disease, causes muscle loss, reduces flexibility, slows our metabolism and ultimately results in an increase in body fat. Not good.
What can you do about it?
Active transport like riding your bike or walking to work are great ways to combat the effects of a sedentary job. If that’s not possible for you, getting off one stop early on your daily commute, taking the stairs instead of the lift, taking frequent breaks, standing and stretching while on the phone, or standing for meetings and lunchtime walks are some other ways that you can incorporate more activity into your work day. But it may still not be enough.
The Ministry of Health recommends a minimum of 2 ½ hours of moderate, or 1 ¼ hours of vigorous activity per week, but many don’t even go close to achieving that.
You are not alone in the quest to be your best
If you spend hours sitting at a desk and have trouble fitting in the required amount of exercise, you are not alone. It’s hard to get motivated after a long day at work, it’s hard to make consistent changes, it’s hard to find a balance between work and home life. It’s hard to even know where to start.
If you are struggling to get started or to maintain a level of exercise that is going to keep your body in shape, a nutrition and lifestyle coach may just be the answer you are looking for. They can help you to set realistic goals and work out a programme to achieve them. They can provide health tips and nutrition coaching. They can work with you to help you to stay on track and be your best.
