Get Fit at Your Desk - How to Counteract the Hazards of Sitting
After reading new research about the health hazards of sitting, we came up with nine ways to stay fit at the office.
By Corrie Pikul
Original Content | September 22, 2011 
Photo: Thinkstock
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We've heard this advice before, but we didn't realize how crucial it was until a large study earlier this year concluded that remaining sedentary for extended periods of time is bad for your heart. The cardiovascular risks, study authors said, manifest themselves in the form of higher blood pressure and triglycerides, increased body inflammation, and lower levels of "good" cholesterol. The study also found that those who took frequent short breaks had smaller waists and better profiles for sugar and fat metabolism than those who sat for hours. If you think this doesn't apply to you because you work out, research has also shown that a full day of sitting can counteract an hour's worth of intense exercise. Every day, try to squeeze in one 20-minute walk and two 10-minute walks at a moderate pace, which will help you meet exercise guidelines set by the American College of Sports Medicine |
