Let's Do Something!

Hey everyone,

This week there has been some interesting media coverage of a recent series of studies, published in the British medical journal ‘The Lancet’, which show the tremendous worldwide costs of inactivity.  It is now estimated that inactivity is the fourth leading cause of death, even surpassing smoking.

To put things in perspective, it is estimated that 10% of deaths (5.3 million people a year) are due to inactivity.  This is more than all injury-related deaths combined, including car accidents.  As we look around at our society and culture, you can see how inactivity is slowly becoming ingrained in our daily life.  From daily commuting, sedentary jobs, and excessive screen time, we have collectively stopped moving and exercising to an alarming degree.

Every bit of exercise counts –whether it is a lengthy workout, or even a few minutes of activity.  It all adds up towards the benchmark of 150 minutes of activity a week.  That is the minimum recommended level of activity for adults.  It only represents 5 half-hour blocks of activity in a week, but far too many of us fall short of that threshold.

However, even exercise may not be fully sufficient when you consider how much time we spend each day sitting.  All of those hours of inactivity accumulate, swinging the balance in an unhealthy direction.

So what can we do to fight inactivity?  We’ve come up with three simple ideas for you to fight it.  This is not an exhaustive or definitive list, but is a good starting point to get you thinking and moving:

• If you work in an office-setting, make sure you get up and move around frequently.  Take walk breaks.  Walk over to speak to colleagues directly, rather than emailing or phoning.  Try to stand up and move around (stretching or walking) at least every half hour if possible.  The long periods of continuous sitting are the most damaging.

• Instead of relying on a vehicle for all of your transportation needs, try walking or biking on occasion.  Even walking to work once a week (or to the grocery store or any other regular destination) will have a positive impact.  We have gotten out of the habit of walking, but this is a basic, fundamental activity that delivers health benefits, both physical and psychological.

• Find time to exercise.  This is a core message of Couplefit and it is something we strive for each day.  We recognize that life gets busy for everyone, but by making exercise a priority and incorporating small amounts (even 5 - 15 minute blocks add up) you will experience huge health dividends.  Do the type of exercise or activity you enjoy most – because that is the one that you are more likely to find time for and to do regularly.  Building muscle and strength, improving your cardiovascular system, and feeling healthier and more energetic are just some of the benefits you can anticipate.

Overall, we encourage you to do something.  Fight back against inactivity.  Get moving – and encourage your family and friends to do the same.  The millions of deaths from inactivity are insidious and tragic – but they are not a foregone conclusion.  We can prevent them.  Join us in doing something – anything - to stop inactivity and the toll it is taking on us all.

 

- Tannys & Alex