Is Work Making You Fat?

I work from home. I’m connected by Skype, Twitter, and Facebook to a growing network of interesting people and fascinating ideas. Because I’m involved and lovin’ it, I find that I’m sitting in front of my computer screen for long periods of time without a break. Seven days/nights a week.

I’m feeling it. By the lack of circulation in my legs, and the gradual, but insistent, spreading of my … ah, body. Wide load!

What about you? Do you work all day in front of a monitor? Do you sit for hours in a so-so task chair — not quite the Aeron ergonomics model you’ve promised yourself you’ll buy when you make some real money? Do you create WordPress blog posts, Squidoo lenses, Hubpages, or articles daily? How often do you get up and move? If you’re up and moving regularly, you’re on the right track.

If you aren’t doing all you can to protect and enhance yourself physically, you need to get with a healthier program. Walk around your office or work space. (Not to the kitchen!) Stretch your legs, and lift your shoulders. Move your arms to increase circulation, and ease any tension in your neck. Have you been getting stress-related headaches? Walk outside; take in some fresh air. Clear your head.

It’s health-affirming to get up from your desk every 30 minutes or so and move your body. It’s not easy to remember to do this. If you have a timer, set a reminder. Your body will appreciate it. We also need to take two 15-minute walking breaks a day. Turn on a podcast, and move to the music. Check out Leslie Sansone who has some excellent walking material that you might want to add to your library.

Look for other ways to integrate exercise into your routine. I read about a guy who set up his desk over a treadmill. He walked slowly all day while he worked and made phone calls. He quickly lost weight and lowered his blood pressure. While that might be more intense than I’m suggesting, it takes regular physical activity to maintain good health.

Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, have had surgery, or have any medical concerns before beginning an exercise routine. Stop if you feel any pain.

Have you tried 10-minute yoga yet? I suggest learning one pose at a time. The Triangle pose is a good beginning. The Sun salutation is an energizing way to start the day.

Throughout the day take regular time outs. Breathe deeply. Close your eyes for 5 minutes. Breathe. Let your mind clear.

Weight Lost Tip: Eat breakfast and lunch away from your computer and TV. Eat consciously. As my friend and favorite business coach Katherine Reschke says, “We aren’t conscious if our mind isn’t on the food — chewing, tasting and savoring.” And allowing ourselves to feel full. Stick with it.

More soon.

Judith

Subscribe to my RSS feed to ensure you don’t miss a post.

Rev It Up! Move to Lose

I live in the Pacific Northwest, near Seattle. It’s been dry the past few weeks. The weather is calling me outside. Everything is budding. Daffodils are out and strutting. Fruit trees — pink cherry, and white apple blossoms, stand strong and tall. They know they’re glorious, because they turn heads everywhere.

Red-breasted Robins look for worms at what seemed to be a Robins convention in the park. Spring beginnings are all around. Nature calls, seductively whispering *come walk with me.*

Did you know?

Sedentary, overweight or obese women can improve their quality of life by exercising as little as 10 to 30 minutes a day, researchers reported at the American Heart Association’s Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

All participants in the exercise groups reported a statistically significant improvement in social functioning compared to those in the control group of women who didn’t exercise. However, women who participated in more exercise, from 135 to 150 minutes a week, also showed significant improvements in general health, vitality and mental health.

After exercising six months, the women improved almost 12 percent in emotional health and more than 5 percent in social functioning.

Rev up your activity level. We must move to lose and firm. I’ve ramped it up. I walked four days last week. As I walked, my body said, *Girl, where have you been? I’m so glad you’re back!*

I completed 2 miles yesterday. It feels great to move and stretch; to remember my body is alive and well. To feel my life. To know I am blessed by it.

If we start now we will have six months of relatively good exercise weather before next fall.

What about you? How does movement make you feel? Let me know. Share it here.

*Stay up-to-date by subscribing to BestWeightLossDomain via RSS feed. Thanks!*

Judith

NEWS BITES

Helping Teens with Weight Loss

SeacoastOnline.com reports studies have looked at teens who have successfully lost weight and maintained that weight loss to see what can be done by those trying to do the same.

“The number one strategy that worked for most teens was exercise, especially when it came to maintaining weight loss. Getting daily exercise at an adequate level appears to be extremely helpful. In general, weight loss is achieved by creating a negative balance between calories taken in and calories burned off. However, because of the nutrient needs required by growing and developing bodies during adolescence, calorie intake needs to stay above a certain baseline. This means that food restriction alone is not the best solution. In most cases, both calorie intake and exercise need to be addressed.”

Even the French Fight Obesity

Despite their culinary expertise, the French are fighting the childhood obesity battle as we are. This image and food-conscious nation has seen a rise in both childhood and adult obesity.

BBC News reports that 127 French towns have adopted a program called EPODE to reduce obesity among kids by delivering real-world lessons in moderation, food grouping and more. The program visits schools, distributes its messages in markets and enjoys the support of both the government and corporate world. EPODE is going directly to the kids and promoting health and healthy choices as a lifestyle—not as an intermittent activity.

Compulsory Cooking Lessons in UK Schools

The goal of England’s soon-to-be-introduced required cooking lessons will be on making sure every 11 to 14-year-old pupil can master simple, healthy recipes using fresh ingredients. It’s part of the government’s drive to reduce levels of obesity and teach healthy eating habits.

*Stay up-to-date by subscribing to BestWeightLossDomain via RSS feed.*

Judith

How Old Are You?

RealAge is the biological age of your body, based on how well you’ve maintained it. Did you know that losing 5-10% of your current weight will make you RealAge younger?

Take the free RealAge test to see if your body’s age agrees with your birth certificate. See if you are healthier and younger … or not.

My real age is older than my chronological age. I’m using the detailed analysis from the test to get younger and healthier by adopting some new habits. You know … eating more servings of fruits, veggies and fish, and walking daily.

*Stay up-to-date by subscribing to BestWeightLossDomain via RSS feed.*

Judith

Lose Weight Automatically

I remember when I was slim and fit, and stayed that way. When did I change? When did I start focusing on my mouth? Whether I open it too often, or not enough? When did I start overeating, or worrying that I was sending my body into starvation mode? Enough already.

It’s time to stop obsessing about my weight. I’m going to learn how to eat healthy and then FORGET about it! I want diet and weight loss worries OUT of my head … and OFF my waist and hips.

I’m reading You: On A Diet: The Owner’s Manual for Waist Management by Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz. It promises an automatic way of eating and living.

You: On A Diet shares the facts about waist loss, and why waist size is a key measurement. “For optimum health, the ideal waist size for women is 32.5 inches. For men, the ideal is 35 inches.” The book helps dispel the myths that linger as though they were facts. I’ll share more of these facts in future posts.

Let’s start with a small goal. A 10% weight loss has a huge impact. It shows on your face and body. Your clothes are not as tight; people notice and make wonderful comments. So my initial goal is to weigh 10% less in 6 weeks.

How will I do it? I’ll make a three basic changes. To start the day by meditating 10 minutes. When my head is right, everything is better. Stretch and walk 30 minutes. Last, I’ll increase fiber by adding more fruits and veggies to every meal.

What do you say? Are you ready to lose a few extra pounds? I hope you’ll join me. Despite rumors to the contrary, it should be fun.

*Stay up-to-date by subscribing to BestWeightLossDomain via RSS feed.*

Judith