Skip to main content

Can Standing an Hour a Day Keep the Doctor Away



            Americans need to get out and get active. That’s a fact, and it is also something that we hear all the time. Life gets busy, that’s part of being an adult, right? Standing for just 3 hours a day, 5 days a week burns 8 pounds of fat per year. When you think about it, that is a wild statistic considering how easy it is to just stand. Problem solved, right? Think again.
            There are quite a majority of occupations that require a desk to perform daily tasks. What do you usually do at a desk? Sit. That is the obvious answer to this seemingly absurd question. With health and wellness booming and technology more advanced than ever, shouldn’t there be a solution to this? A magic pill or shake that can increase longevity and end the constant battle fought with the scale?
            At the Cullman City Parks and Recreation offices we have found a solution, standing desks. At the push of a button we can stand or sit as we please. This is a very neat concept that can be implemented in many office settings. Through our personal experience it has made our employees more productive, and helped those who are kinesthetic learners (individuals who carry out physical activities while learning or performing a task, rather than sitting and listening to demonstrations).
            So what are the benefits? Sitting more than 11 hours a day increases risk of dying prematurely by 40%, whoa. So you don’t sit for 11 hours a day, you are exempt from this statistic? Think again. Just sitting for 8 hours a day increases your chances of premature death by 15%, and 5.3 million deaths occur every year due to inactivity and sedentary lifestyles. Sitting is one of those small daily activities that we perform without even thinking about it. Just by changing up your routine and standing your heart beats 10 times more a minute and over the course of a years that will burn approximately 30,000+ calories, which is the equivalent of running 10 marathons. Unless marathons are a cake walk for you, that’s a pretty impressive!
            If you work in a setting where stand-up desks cannot be implemented, just make small adjustments in your day. Incorporate walking in or around your workplace on breaks, encourage walking meetings when appropriate, or set aside time in your lunch break to go to the gym. The possibilities are endless. Start a conversation with your boss and coworkers about ways to increase physical activity and well-being of employees. Chances are that increased physical activity and well-being will increase productivity and performance, therefore creating a more successful business.

*all statistics and information provided by BBC News and the American College of Sports Medicine

Kayti Persall
Community Wellness Coordinator
Cullman City Parks & Recreation




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

8 Reasons Your Child should Play CP&R Baseball, Softball, or T-ball

Ball season is just around the coroner, which means fun nights at the ball park with families, friends, and your favorite fold-out lawn chair. It also means that kids are gearing up for the most fun, competitive time of year for them on the diamonds making new friends, learning new skills, and enjoying the crisp spring air outside. So what is so special about CP&R's baseball, softball, and t-ball programs that set it apart from anyone else's? Here are eight reasons your family will have a BLAST with us this spring at CP&R. 8. Facilities. CP&R features some of the most award wining facilities in the counrty at Heritage Park and the Field of Miracles. In fact, in 2013, Heritage Park and the Field of Miracles complex were recognized nationally by the United States Specialty Sports Association as the number one complex of the year amongst large and small cities alike all across America. The parks both feature state of the art fields that are maintained and worked on
4 comments
Read more

Heritage Park Outdoor Circuit Workout #2

The second circuit for our Heritage Park fitness equipment is here! Modify these exercises to meet your specific needs. If you wish to mix these exercises in with those that were featured in our first     post feel free to do so!  Warm-up: walk 1.5-mile loop or do Cardio Stepper for 5-10 minutes Assisted Row W: 2 sets/ 10 reps M: 2 sets/ 15 reps Squat Press W: 2 sets/10 reps M: 2 sets/ 15 reps Reverse Crunches/Leg Raises W: 2 sets/ 25 reps M: 2 sets/ 25 reps Cool down: walk 1.5-mile loop *Take a 60-90 second break between repetitions or walk to each different station as a “break” ** Be sure to check with your doctor before beginning any new exercise routine. Read safety warnings and directions before using new equipment
Post a Comment
Read more

28 Things to Do in Cullman

Nothing to Do in Cullman? So many times we hear the old adage that there is simply NOTHING to do in Cullman. Despite these rumors, there are in fact endless possibilities for things to do in Cullman, and we at CP&R alone offer hundreds of programs, activities, and events as well as dozens of spaces that offer plenty to do in the Cullman community. Let’s look at what there really IS to do in Cullman! 1. Take your dog to the dog park at Heritage Park The dog park is a great outing for you and your dog and you will both surely enjoy meeting some new friends and the fresh air. 2. Go for a hike at Hurricane Creek Park Featuring over 4 miles of hiking trails through the most pristine and gorgeous wilderness in Cullman County, the park also features favorites like Twilight Tunnel and Heaven’s Staircase 3. Take a fitness class at the Cullman Wellness & Aquatic Center Take your pick with over 60 classes offered each week including target, spin, yoga, cardio party, Zum
1 comment
Read more