Tell me if this sounds familiar: you get in your car, drive to the gym, hell, even look for the closest parking spot, and then work out. Totally normal – in fact most people do it or something similar. Yet in so doing, we’ve replaced low-intensity activities (like walking, bending, reaching and stretching) with being alternately sedentary and active. Not a good thing for your health.
Come to find out exercising doesn’t fully counter the effects (think diabetes, heart disease, etc) of time spent sitting down in front of a computer, a steering wheel, or a TV. Apparently all activity is not equal, according to a recent article in the New York Times.
You know, I hate to hear about studies like this. Being a mom of a toddler and an infant who is quickly trying to crawl, I do feel like I get tons of activity all day long. On occasion, I find time to go to the gym, but mostly I just drop at the end of a day feeling worn out. So while I may get more low-intensity activity than my husband (he uses a computer all day long), I think that he’s in better shape than I am.
Let me just back up and say “low-activity” doesn’t quite describe running after children all day!
So back to being active vs. sitting…It’s funny, this New York Times article is specific enough to make you think, but too general as to make any real assertions. Food for thought, as it were.
God what I wouldn’t give to sit down all day and then top that off with a good work out.
photo credit: mikebaird
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