How Daily Inactivity Can Hinder Results

           

           We all know that working out is a big part of a healthy lifestyle.  Indeed, if you want to maximize your health there is no way around it, you will have to exercise.  But what happens during the other waking hours of your day can have just as much impact on your health and wellness, if not more.  Most individuals believe themselves to be active during the day, but when measured up against the recommended level of daily activity for adults, only 5% of the population meets this mark.  That means all that “activity” that we claim to be performing is really just a busy and stressful lifestyle.  Running errands, dropping off the kids, picking them back up, buying groceries, etc. You may be on the go, but are you active?  

  Health and fitness experts recommend achieving at least 10,000 steps a day to maintain an active lifestyle and improve your health.  That’s the equivalent to roughly 5 miles of walking.  This level of activity in itself, can burn just as many calories as 1 hour of exercise in the gym.  Not only will moving more throughout the day help to burn some excess calories, but it will also help to decrease stress levels in the body and improve many health stats such as blood pressure, glucose and lipid levels. From a mental health perspective, achieving over 10,000 steps a day also results in a 50% decreased risk of developing depression.  To hold yourself accountable to achieving 10,000 steps a day I would recommend investing in a pedometer or activity tracker.  If you don’t measure it, you’ll be less likely to achieve it on a consistent level.  

On the flip side, sitting and not moving throughout the day can lead to serious health problems including increased insulin resistance, decreased metabolism, increased fat stores and a decrease in bone density just to name a few.  All of which are counterproductive to the goals of your workout program. Research has shown that people who moved for just a few minutes every 20 minutes or so had lower insulin and glucose levels. Lower insulin and glucose means the body is burning fat better and regulating energy levels better. When your muscles and cardiovascular system go without use, say when you sit down for 20 minutes at the computer, they become less effective. That’s why an active break every 20 minutes like walking around your office building can have a positive effect on your health and help improve oxygen flow throughout your system. In addition, chronic sitting negatively impacts the range of motion of your hips, hamstrings, back, shoulders and other muscles. Over time, it can lead to poor posture, back and knee problems and decreased muscular function. 

Avoid the idea that a workout by itself can help you achieve optimal health. Get to the gym to workout, but don’t forget to move and be active for the remainder of the day as well. Unless you train as a professional athlete, an hour’s workout is not the only activity you should be focused on in order to avoid the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

For more Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness advice contact Paul Wantuck or stop by the Fitness Center to schedule a consultation and get started on the path towards a healthier you!