As I get older, I find myself wanting to live a healthy lifestyle so I can live longer. These are my 5 Tips for Living Longer. Of course, I’m not a doctor, but these tips work for me.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
It’s January and almost everyone’s thoughts are on living a healthier lifestyle! People are flooding the gyms and looking for weight loss plans. Just check the covers of most magazines. Weight loss ads have taken over TV commercials. It’s all about getting fit.
I’m a firm believer in moderation and becoming healthier by making tweaks, a little at a time, in one’s diet and exercise routine. We don’t get unhealthy overnight and it takes some time and effort to get in shape.
5 Tips for Living Longer and Sitting Less
As a writer/blogger, I sit at my computer for long periods of time. Sometimes I get so caught up in what I’m doing that I suddenly realize I’ve been sitting for hours. That’s not good.
I’ve read several reports lately that talk about how bad sitting for long periods of time is for us. It can raise your risk of heart attack, diabetes (or as Wilford Brimley says, Diabeetus) and shave off years of your life.
Oh, no! But this is not a gloom and doom post, I promise! And we all want to live a long, healthy life, right?
I’ve been consciously making sure that I move more and sit less. And, no, I didn’t get a stand-up desk! That’s just way weird to me, but I haven’t actually tried it, so who knows?
Mike Loosemore, a sports doc at London’s University College Hospital said, “Standing for 3 extra hours a day, five days a week, burns 30,000 more calories a year.” So maybe a stand-up desk is in my future.
Source: Amazon.com
I also haven’t invested in a treadmill workstation. I don’t think I’m coordinated enough to walk and work at the same time. But I have done a few things that are helping tremendously.
5 tips to Living Longer and Moving More
1 Step away from the computer every 30 minutes and do something physical.
My aim is to walk and/or cycle at least 5 times a week. As I get older, the law of gravity is not my friend. So, I try to do everything to counteract that hateful law!
And don’t forget weight training! Let’s Get Physical by Olivia Newton-John is racing through my mind!
Even when I exercise, sitting all day is not good. Set a timer for 30-minute intervals. Make yourself get up, go to the bathroom or walk to the kitchen and grab a glass of water to stay hydrated. It gives your eyes a break, too.
2. Do a few squats every time you get up from your chair.
A study done at the University of Alberta found that “taking more than 10 activity breaks a day was associated with lower waist circumference, lower triglyceride levels, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and systolic blood pressure, and higher “good” HDL cholesterol.”
3. If you work from home, do a few chores during your breaks.
Do a load of laundry. Sweep the floor. Go outside and get some fresh air. Even if you don’t work from home, you may be spending way too much time sitting in front of the TV in the evenings.
4. Do a few jumping jacks during commercials.
If you do jumping jacks on a regular basis, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your legs will get toned!
5. Walk around your house while talking on the phone.
If you wear an Apple watch as I do, you’re aiming for at least 10,000 steps a day. Checking my progress always encourages me to get more steps in. Sometimes I’ll just walk or jog in place for a few minutes to get those steps in.
Do you sit at a desk all day? What tips do you have for moving more and sitting less?
Print Friendly
50 comments
Number 1 is the one that I really need to work on. I work from home at least 12 hours a day and most of that time is sitting down on my laptop. I have really bad back pains that I know is caused from sitting down so many hours each and every day. Thanks for reminding me of how important it is to take a break from the desk to do something active.
Whitney
I have to constantly remind myself to stand up and step away from the laptop! I try to use good posture when sitting at my laptop, but my back will begin to ache when I sit for long periods of time.
I’m going to start going up and down my stairs at least 10 times a day on purpose. Lol
That will do it! Pretty soon you will be running up and down those stairs. 🙂
Great tips Alli. I stay at home but the toddler makes sure I’m up and about. LOL. Kids are a great workout! I will be doing some squats! Best tip ever.
Toddlers do keep you jumping! I overindulged a wee bit much during the holidays so I’m getting my butt into gear. I need to stand up right this second and do a few squats. 🙂
At work I sit the majority of the time…it’s horrible I know! I wish that we had one of those treadmill desks 🙂 I am going to be better about moving around and getting up from my desk. It’s the time of year that I really enjoy getting outside and hiking or walking, so I am looking forward to many family time outside!
I sit most of the time, too, Paris. I’m also making an effort to move more and sit less.
This is a great list! I do make a point to do my chores throughout the day. It’s the only way I can get anything done. haha That treadmill desk looks very intimidating and awesome at the same time. I could really use that! Kill 2 birds with one stone! 🙂
Great tips! I’m lucky that my job requires me to be on my feet all day in the classroom. If I get to sit down for a few minutes, it is pure pleasure.
I can only imagine, Paula, that a sit-down break is very rare.
These are great ideas!!! Although I would still love that stand-up desk!
I could see you with a stand-up desk, Kristen. I might could get used to it, but I don’t think I could do the treadmill at all.
I absolutely love this, Alli! As someone else who works from home behind a computer, it’s challenging to remember to get up and MOVE, and I’m trying to make a conscious decision to do that this year as we get into things. I love the idea of a treadmill desk, but since that’s a bit pricey, I love that you’ve listed out several other ways to stay active while doing your work. I especially love the doing a few chores during each computer break. What a great idea… and what a great way to get things done in the household while also getting your work done!
I get so caught up in blogging that sometimes I’m shocked to realize that a couple of hours have passed. Then I jump up and walk outside, do a few squats and try to remember to take more breaks. I need a timer!
I had planned on going on the treadmill today but after I came back from the bus stop and walked my puppy I decided to take a break and enjoy the quiet house. Now I regret it because I am actually bored. I really need to get my bum of the couch, holidays always mess me up.
Yes, holidays mess me up, too, Nicole! I’ve had a “chocolate/sugar withdrawal” headache for several days. This too shall pass.
Oh yes, moving more in 2015! I need that! Not sure if I would be able to concentrate at a treadmill desk though ;). I like number two, need to get into a habit for doing it. Thank you for sharing!
I don’t think I’m coordinated enough to walk in the treadmill while using my laptop.
Great ideas here! I feel that I am sitting WAY too much these days! Love the treadmill desk…LOL!
Yes! I definitely have to move more in 2015!
My husband and I gave each other Fitbit’s for Christmas. We have both enjoyed the awareness of knowing how many steps we were taking and monitoring our new goals each day. He sits at a desk all day at work so he is getting up once per hour right now to go for a brief walk in his building.
I work at home so I can actually go outside and walk for a bit several times each day. Although we did not set any unrealistic goals for our health this year, we are trying to become more health conscience also.
I love the stand up desk. Sometimes I take my laptop into the kitchen and stand up to work. I would never be able to concentrate on the laptop while walking on a treadmill but I admire anyone who can!
I don’t think I could walk on the treadmill and use the keyboard at the same time! 🙂
I am on the same kick as you right now. Loved these tips.
These are great tips to get moving more. I also starting doing walking lunges when I have to walk down the hall. My kids all think it’s hilarious and try to do them with me. #ibabloggers
The dreaded “L” word! 🙂 For a while I was doing a workout plan I had found on Pinterest and I really need to get back to doing it. It included lunges and they really work, even if I do dread them.
Great tips!! That desk with the treadmill, cracks me up – I could so see myself ending up in the hospital with that. Would have to remember to focus on more than one thing!! ha/ha
Totally agree that it’s very easy to spend the day on the computer! I like the little changes you are trying to make 🙂 it is much easier to start off small and you are less likely to give up! #ibabloggers
Great post, Alli! It’s so true that even doing chores around the house can keep you toned. I’m also looking into getting a Fitbit to track my movement as well. Thank you so much for sharing, and I’ll be Tweeting this tomorrow. 😉 . xoxo #ibabloggers
Great tips! I think I read somewhere that flossing could extend your life, too. Have you heard that? #ibabloggers
Good thing I floss daily! I had not heard it, but that’s a good one!
These are such great practical tips for a wellness lifestyle. I also need to be intentional about getting up from my desk and work and walking around.
I think this one spoke to all bloggers. Just this morning I had to constantly remind myself to stand up, walk around and rest my eyes.
I need to move more I sit behind a computer all day and don’t move an inch. I even need to change scenery so once a week I plan on going to panera bread or starbucks for a morning out. I walk around my house already while on the phone because I have to chase after kids they get louder when I am on the phone lol
Why is it that kids can be acting like quiet little angels they are until mama gets on the phone? That always happened to me, too. 🙂
These are great tips. I love those desks you can stand up. I’ve always wanted something like the for my sewing machine. I’ve been making an effort to stretch and get up when I’ve been working on a blog post for too long.
I might could do the standing desk, too. I’d trip all over myself on the treadmill one.
These are all great tips, Alli! I wish I could get the standing desk not the treadmill kind that would be too hard as I always ended up huffing and puffing on a treadmill lol. I find that using a timer helps me to get up as I do sit a lot being a blogger and working from home.
There’s no way I could walk on a treadmill while working. That’s an accident waiting to happen.
Those are all simple and easily doable. Maybe I should set an alarm on my phone or computer to be sure I take a break.
And as far as that standing desk is concerned, not going to happen. I’d be leaning on the desk and slouching within 10 minutes.
That’s a great idea, Audrey! I was thinking of setting a timer, but the alarm on my phone would work even better.
I work virtually and these are some great tips, doing my squats!
I love your tips, Alli! It’s so important even to just get in that few minutes of movement periodically. Thanks for sharing!
This was a great post. I find that I am sitting a lot more these days and my fitbit reminds me of that constantly. I love that work station for the treadmill. Thanks for sharing with us at the Home Matters Linky Party. I hope you will party with us again this Friday. #HomeMattersParty
~Bonnie
I always enjoy the Home Matters Party. Thanks for co-hosting!
These are all great tips especially for those of us who make a living being at our computer!
I want that desk over the treadmill SO bad! Haha great tips dear!!
It does look cool, but I don’t think I could walk and work at the same time. 🙂
I am ALL ABOUT the stand up desk and taking breaks and going for walks, even if just around the block!
[…] 5 Tips to Living Longer – An Alli Event […]