One of the reasons so many Americans get to their fifties in poor health is due to their sedentary lifestyle. If you have a desk job, then you’ve spent the majority of your waking hours sitting at work and probably coming home to sit some more.
Sitting is a Killer
A recent study by the Sax Institute of Australia found the following information about prolonged sitting.
“Adults who sat for 11 hours or more a day had a 40% increased risk of dying in the next three years than those who sat for less than four hours a day.” According to Dr. Hidde van der Ploeg a senior researcher at the University of Sydney’s School of Public health in Australia. He went on to say, “Prolonged sitting has been shown to disrupt metabolic function resulting in increased plasma triglyceride levels, decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and decreased insulin sensitivity,â€
This information alone should inspire you get off the couch and get moving! Buy a bicycle, join a gym, or at least walk three or four times a week. Take a class if you need guidance. Hire a personal trainer for a short time to get you started.
Eat Real Food
Another culprit in today’s society is diet. The Standard American Diet takes its toll on your waistline, your energy and your health. Most diets consist of far too many processed foods that are high in sugar, sodium and bad fats. They are also full of calories.
The only thing the American diet is not full of is this — nutrition.
You can reduce many health problems by eating “real” food such as fresh produce, lean protein, good fats, and drinking plenty of water.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep can also become a problem as you get older. You may have aches and pains that keep you from sleeping as long as you need. Or you may worry and stress during the night about your children, your grandchildren, your dwindling retirement fund, or simply the way the world is changing.
You may also find yourself living with this sad fact of aging; middle of the night bathroom trips become more frequent and interrupt your sleep patterns.
Rx Side Effects
All these problems lead to another: prescription drugs. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Sometimes the cure is worse than the sickness”. Drugs for heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, depression and other health conditions also come with a host of side effects. Before you agree to add a prescription, ask what lifestyle changes can give you the same or better results.
When you make lifestyle cahanges, you put yourself in control of your health. Lifestyle changes can be made that will help you improve your daily quality of life, your overall health, and reduce your need for so many prescription drugs.