149) ARE YOU LEADING A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE?

A public demonstration of aerobic exercises (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you are young, you may be very active in sports or keeping fit by doing aerobics, going to the gym two or three times a week or jogging in the park.

As you age, some of you may find that you tire easily, lack the energy and become less active perhaps due to workload, stress or poor sleep.

You rather be sitting in front of the TV or playing video games than to exercise.  Before you know it, you are leading a sedentary lifestyle.  

Here are some of the pointers you could take into consideration as inactivity can lead to health issues such as diabetes, heart problems and weight issues.

Keep moving during the day.

When you sit all day long at your desk, you will experience backaches, hip, neck and shoulder pain.  Since you can't switch jobs at the snap of your finger, the next best thing is to try moving a lot more. 

• Take a 20 minute of your lunch break to walk and ease the tensed muscles.
• Park your car a distance away from your office so that you can do some walking when you go to work and after you leave the office.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

However, if you are a salesperson, your job requires you to be on your feet most of the time. Standing too long can make you feel tired and you will want to put up your feet once you get home.  

• Do some leg stretches to loosen up the muscles while seated.  Massage your calfs when you are in the shower. Otherwise, you may get cramps, knee pain or swollen feet due to putting pressure on your feet and joints during the day.
• Prop your feet on a pillow to relief the swelling or soak your feet in warm salt water.

Physical activity versus Exercise

fitness (Photo credit: SurvivalWoman)

Doing anything to move your muscles is considered as physical activity which does burn calories but it is not sufficient to qualify as an exercise.

You have to up the ante by increasing the intensity level.  If you are still able to talk but not comfortably, you are performing exercise at a moderate pace.

From Sedentary to Active

A sedentary person, or "typical couch potato" (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Plopping on the comfortable couch after a grinding day at the office is irresistible.

However, if you take a brisk walk after dinner, it can actually relax your body better 

At the same time, walking helps to promote your digestion process.

Not only that, when you walk, the feel good hormones, endorphins will be released to relief stress.

Commuting long distances

A recent study showed that people who drive long distances to go to work daily are less likely to exercise.

On long term basis, that means wider waistlines and poorer heart health. No matter where your commute, here are some simple movements you can do during the road trip.

• While waiting for the traffic lights to turn green, stretch your arms over the steering wheel and give a quick massage to your neck muscles or curl your toes.  
• While driving, hold your stomach muscles tight for at least 10 counts each time to keep it taut.
• Squeeze your buttock muscles and hold for a 10 count.
• Do deep breathing.  Inhale and exhale slowly.  It will help to get more oxygen to your brain to keep you alert and release tension in your body.
• For quick release of tensed muscles, clenched your hands into a fist for a few seconds and let go.  It is a very good method to get your body to relax instantly.

All the above will also keep you preoccupied especially if you are caught in a traffic jam. 

You can also do the same while you are at your desk.

House chores burn calories

Get down and dirty.  

Weeding, clearing the leafs, washing the bathroom, sweeping the floor and vacuuming are activities that make you break into a sweat.

Not only that, your house will be spic and span!

My next topic for discussion is, "Sparse Brows?  How To Fill It In."

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MY ART & POEM CORNER

A Tiger peeks.

Plays hide and seeks.

A prey she spies,

With piercing eyes.

Ready to pounce,

The catch must count.

Can't go hungry,

in her wild country

Survival of the fittest.

A daily business.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Until my next post,

Here's To Your Health!