This morning I awoke with a jolt. A vicious cramp in my left hamstring is definitely not my favourite way to start the day. I had become increasingly aware, over the past month or so, that my derriere was trying to communicate some discomfort to me – a result of too much sitting.
A couple of nights before this rude awakening, I had actually had a discussion with someone about pains in the butt. I was informed that a recent article has declared that sitting has now become the “new smoking” – the danger of too much sitting translates into a heightened increase of many diseases, not limited to just heart disease.
I think I lead a relatively active lifestyle for a woman my age. The days I don’t walk Sydney to work (45 minutes each way), we have twice daily healthy walks of at least a half hour. On weekends I spend most of each day in the garden. However, I am now asking myself if this is really enough. My body is sending me messages and I must start listening.
Do you find that you are also sitting more these days than in previous years? Even if you do engage in regular daily exercise, researchers are now beginning to suspect that this may not be enough to counteract the effects of too much sitting during the rest of the day.
Whilst sitting, your muscles are not contracting (especially those big leg, butt and back muscles). This results in a slower metabolism.
What should one do, you ask?
Well, move more and move more often. Sitting on an exercise ball instead of a chair requires more energy and will help strengthen your core muscles. Also, take breaks and take them often. Do not sit for more than an hour before getting up and moving around.
I have been sitting on my exercise ball writing this article. It has been about an hour; it is now time for me to get up and move. How long have you been sitting?
Louisa Zerbe
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
Visit Louisa’s web page
See all articles by Louisa Zerbe
Whenever I am planting myself at the computor where most of my sitting would occur , I set the timer in the kitchen for 45 minutes. When it sings I am forced to get up and walk into the kitchen . It works if one remembers to set it!!!
On another note one has to make a committment to exercizing in a way that resonates. My body continues to tells me through blood pressure checking that aerobics on the Nordic Track are what it responds to best.
Correction. Timer is set for 25 minutes not 45.
Hi Ms Butterfly,
What a great idea setting a timer and good for you to be working out aerobically. Exercising is all about committment and discipline. The book “Young Next Year” was recommended to me by a client. I plan to read it. You might be interested in it. The focus is on the need for us to exercise as we age. All the best and thanks for your comment. Louisa
Not just young people are too sedentary for the way evolution wants us all to be. But here is an off side comment to get Island Women stirred up a little. What if…just what if…your subconscious is trying to tell you something in a mind body way? Since psyche has not got your attention, she sends you a pain in an odd place as a little poke. (Psyche has a sense of humor) So, do you have any other unattended pains in the ass?
Hi Janet, couldn’t agree more. In fact I’m sure over a cup of tea we both would have a few “pokes” to share. Wouldn’t that be fun to get a group of Island Women together and share some of those stories?
This makes so much sense and most of us are guilty of too much sitting. Thank you.
Hi Roy, Thank you for your comment. What do you think of all the young people and the amount of time they spend sitting in front of their computers instead of engaging in an activity? Louisa
Perhaps they will end up looking like bowling pins, all body and no limbs