A co-worker found this article and sent it to me. (We help each other stay motivated to go to the gym, etc.) MSNBC - Your body's big enemy? You're sitting on it.
Researchers found that more and more people are getting sick from sitting on their butt. Because of all the wonderful modern technology, we spend more time sitting in front of the computer and TV than ever before. (I know that I do).
Sitting for extended periods of time, your body starts to shut down and lowers your metabolism. Which means that you have less blood flow that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Most people spend 56 hours sitting on their butt. All this sitting can cause back and leg problems.
Working out for 30 minutes a day does not counteract the time spent sitting. A study reveals that getting up out of your chair every half hour can significantly decrease your risk of heart disease. Fidgeting can increase circulation and burn more calories.
"So if exercise alone isn't the solution, what is? Fortunately, it's easier than you think to ward off the perils of prolonged parking. Just ramp up your daily non-exercise activity thermogenesis — or NEAT. That's the energy (i.e., calories) you burn doing everything but exercise. It's having sex, folding laundry, tapping your toes, and simply standing up. And it can be the difference between wearing a sarong or flaunting your bikini on your next beach vacation.
In his groundbreaking study on NEAT, the Mayo Clinic's Levine used motion-sensing underwear (hot, huh?) to track every single step and fidget of 20 people who weren't regular exercisers (half of them were obese; half were not). After 10 days, he found that the lean participants moved an average of 150 minutes more per day than the overweight people did — enough to burn 350 calories, or about one cheeseburger."
According to the chart in the article, you burn 32 more calories standing at your desk than you do sitting on your butt. Even making out during commercials burns 32 calories. So you can burn calories, not have the impulse to buy things, and gross your kids out all at the same time.
So, now I am not only going to definitely get my butt to the gym in the morning, but I plan to move more at my desk while working. I printed out the article and sticking it up in my cubicle as a reminder to move.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Biggest Loser
I get so emotional during the finale of the Biggest Loser. It is just amazing how people can change their lives in such a short period of time. It really does inspire me to get my butt of the couch.
I started watching the show religiously last year. I always wanted to know if the past winners kept off the weight. The Today Show has gone out to see how everyone is doing now. Some have kept the weight off and some have gained most of the weight back. For the majority of the winners, being on The Biggest Loser has changed their lives for the better.
Most of the past contestants are now helping others become healthy in all aspects of their lives. I was very surprised to see how many contestants who met at The Biggest Loser Campus are now married. It is great!
The last couple of years I have been exercising, but not like I had in the past. I have gained and lost and gained again in the last 7 years. I am again in the losing phase and plan to stay there. I have lost 10 pounds this year which is good, but I wanted to lose a lot more than that. After watching the finale last night I am recommitting myself to getting back in shape and losing those last 18 pounds. Especially since I really have no excuse with access to a free gym.
Starting tomorrow, I plan to get back into the gym. In January an organization that I belong to is starting a competition to get healthy. By spring next year, I want those last 18 pounds gone and to be a lot healthier.
The new season of the Biggest Loser starts January 5th. I will be watching every week for inspiration. Between the show and the Active For Life program, I will be a much healthier person next year.
I started watching the show religiously last year. I always wanted to know if the past winners kept off the weight. The Today Show has gone out to see how everyone is doing now. Some have kept the weight off and some have gained most of the weight back. For the majority of the winners, being on The Biggest Loser has changed their lives for the better.
Most of the past contestants are now helping others become healthy in all aspects of their lives. I was very surprised to see how many contestants who met at The Biggest Loser Campus are now married. It is great!
The last couple of years I have been exercising, but not like I had in the past. I have gained and lost and gained again in the last 7 years. I am again in the losing phase and plan to stay there. I have lost 10 pounds this year which is good, but I wanted to lose a lot more than that. After watching the finale last night I am recommitting myself to getting back in shape and losing those last 18 pounds. Especially since I really have no excuse with access to a free gym.
Starting tomorrow, I plan to get back into the gym. In January an organization that I belong to is starting a competition to get healthy. By spring next year, I want those last 18 pounds gone and to be a lot healthier.
The new season of the Biggest Loser starts January 5th. I will be watching every week for inspiration. Between the show and the Active For Life program, I will be a much healthier person next year.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
New Campbell's Soup and Coupons
If you like soup and want extra savings, go to www.chuncky.com for online Campbell Soup printable coupons. They offer coupons for soup, V8 juice, and French's Fried Onions.
The new Campbell's healthy select and Condensed Light soups are pretty good. I have been taking those to work the last couple of days. Something quick and easy for lunch.
The new Campbell's healthy select and Condensed Light soups are pretty good. I have been taking those to work the last couple of days. Something quick and easy for lunch.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Eating Locally Grown Food ONLY
Watching the Biggest Looser last night a commercial for the local news came on. They had a blurb about a group of people finding a new way to save on groceries.
A couple of women decided that they were tired of all the recalls on food and they wanted to support the local farmer. They gather food grown and produced within 100 miles and give it to those who have joined the group. You are supporting the local farmer, saving on your grocery bill, and you know where your food is coming from.
The program is called Fair Share. "Fair Shares is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting fresh, local, seasonal food into the hands of more St. Louisans--regardless of their income. We think it's important to know the origin of your food--who grew it and where. With all the horrifying stories of food contamination in the news lately, it's a health risk not to know. We're also committed to spreading the wisdom of eating seasonally (if you've ever eaten a grocery store tomato in the winter, you know what we're talking about). Sustainable farming techniques are important to us as well. Organic is great, but certification isn't a must for us. We know our farmers use minimal chemicals only when necessary and more importantly they use practices that don't rob the earth of resources or harm the delicate equilibrium. Nature had it right to begin with, so we love it when farmers know how to work with nature instead of against it. Our food loves it, too. So do our bodies."
Right now they are maxed out on membership. If I didn't have so much going on at the moment I would put together a similar program in my area. maybe that is something that a local organization can do for your area.
A couple of women decided that they were tired of all the recalls on food and they wanted to support the local farmer. They gather food grown and produced within 100 miles and give it to those who have joined the group. You are supporting the local farmer, saving on your grocery bill, and you know where your food is coming from.
The program is called Fair Share. "Fair Shares is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting fresh, local, seasonal food into the hands of more St. Louisans--regardless of their income. We think it's important to know the origin of your food--who grew it and where. With all the horrifying stories of food contamination in the news lately, it's a health risk not to know. We're also committed to spreading the wisdom of eating seasonally (if you've ever eaten a grocery store tomato in the winter, you know what we're talking about). Sustainable farming techniques are important to us as well. Organic is great, but certification isn't a must for us. We know our farmers use minimal chemicals only when necessary and more importantly they use practices that don't rob the earth of resources or harm the delicate equilibrium. Nature had it right to begin with, so we love it when farmers know how to work with nature instead of against it. Our food loves it, too. So do our bodies."
Right now they are maxed out on membership. If I didn't have so much going on at the moment I would put together a similar program in my area. maybe that is something that a local organization can do for your area.
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