Did You Know: Sitting is considered the new smoking?

Posted on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016

Recent studies have shown that prolonged sitting has emerged as a new health scourge. Since binge watching our favourite shows has become so popular, our time spent in front of the TV for extended periods has grown even more.

Alex Hutchinson, of the Globe and Mail, lists the ills associated with hours of uninterrupted sitting include elevated risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other conditions, which occur as your muscles switch into a “dormant” mode that compromises their ability to break down fats and sugars. Sitting all day is harmful no matter how fit and active you are.

How about trying a new workout the next time you indulge binge watching TV.

Libby Norris, a blogger for CTV, has come up with some tips to get fit while watching your next season of your favourite show.

She suggests:

If you’re watching regularly scheduled shows, you can use commercial breaks to cue and time your sets.

They range from 1.5 to 3 minutes each which make it a minimal commitment. That maybe only starts as 6-10 minutes in a half hour show, but if you multiply that over several shows, it can add up to significant workout time over a week.

Try one of these options for timing:

  • Just move: Standing, walking, climbing stairs or any calisthenics can help burn calories but, equally as important, can give your body a break from what is likely a poor posture position on the couch!
  • Alternating circuit: This takes a bit more planning so try to keep it simple. Choose a few familiar exercises and alternate – perhaps upper and lower body, strength and cardio. Check out my website for specific ideas and outlines.
  • Quick circuits: Most commercials are 30 seconds which can be perfect for timing moderate or high intensity sets. Like above, chose to alternate exercise or super set which involved multiple exercises for one muscle group – perhaps squats, lunges the glute drops. See her site for more ideas at libbynorris.com.

If you’re planning on a marathon of viewing, taking 10-15 minutes between episodes can offer a similar benefit to a full workout at the gym. It can also have the added perk of improving self-control and focus on reaching for the not-so-healthy food options that can often accompany screen time.

Be sure to have light equipment handy: Bands, dumbbells, kettlebells and other light equipment to nudge you into activity.

Let the binge watching begin!


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