Most of us live a more sedentary lifestyle these days, thanks to office jobs and long commutes in the car. Unfortunately, too much sitting can make weight loss more difficult. Even worse, a lack of physical activity is linked to numerous negative health outcomes. For example, a sedentary lifestyle is associated with…

• Increased anxiety and depression
• A greater risk of developing some forms of cancer
• A decrease in skeletal muscle mass
• High blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Likelihood of becoming overweight or obese

In fact, according to the World Health Organization, 60 to 85 percent of us do not engage in enough physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle has now been recognized as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality.

We all need to get moving more often, but of course that is easier said than done. If your job is a more sedentary one, how can you counteract the damage being done to your body? And how can you achieve weight loss when you’re stuck at a desk all day?

One simple method is to set an alarm to go off once per hour, and get up to walk around for five minutes. You can walk up and down the hall, stroll to the bathroom and back, or just make one large lap around the building (include a flight or two of stairs for “bonus points”). You could even take a work call “on the go” if necessary. No, it doesn’t sound like much (and you should still engage in other forms of exercise outside of work), but it will get the blood moving again.

Experts also suggest options such as a standing desk, or a mini “stair climber” or exercise bike that you can tuck under your desk.

Make sure you’re also pursuing some form of exercise outside of work, and please do contact us if you need help with weight loss. We can talk about an eating plan and exercise regimen that helps you achieve your goals, and protects your health for years to come.