Stand Up for Your Health!

A new study from the University of Pittsburg suggests that regular use of height-adjustable desks - when combined with other low-intensity activities - can be an effective strategy for maintaining weight for most people. About 30-minutes out of every working hour will typically do the trick (study link below).

The Link Between Stress and Weight

Other studies tell us that taking short walking breaks throughout the workday help burn extra calories. It also has the benefit of lowering stress, which can help contribute to the achievement of a healthy weight.

Why does lowering stress help us with weight? Because chronic stress typically brings about elevated cortisol. Elevated cortisol can lower the body's ability to shed weight.

What to Do

When I think about my own sit to stand ratio, I realize I've been a "backslider".

When research studies started appearing a couple of years ago confirming that hours of sitting during the day can take years off of your life - even if you are exercising regularly - I become a stand-up devotee, even using a standup table for working, writing, and recording audio guides for clients.

Alas, over the past months I have returned to my earlier butt-in-seat ways.

From today forward, I'm choosing to take a stand at least 30-minutes every hour, take a walking break every hour, and increase aerobic exercise activity every day.

If you would like to stand up for your health, there's no better time than now.

To your health and well-being,

Steve Carter

Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com | Blog: StressMastery.blogspot.com

-----

References:

"Standing Up for Weight Management"; University of Pittsburg. Link: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/659932/?sc=dwhn

NIOS Takes a Stand: http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2012/12/05/sit-stand/