Here we are in May!! I love the month of May. Not only because it’s my Birthday more so because it’s spring!! Everything is starting to turn green and beautiful! The days are starting to get longer and warmer. I love to take long walks on these beautiful days!!
May 2nd is the American Diabetes Association’s annual National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day!!
This day is a day to bring awareness to how we need to “Get Up and Get Moving”!! It is actually dangerous for our bodies to have prolonged hours of sitting. It is so important no matter what your job is that you take time to focus on moving throughout the day!! Research has shown that sitting for very long periods of time can increase the risk of many health complications. The American Diabetes Association has recommended that we move around for three or more minutes and doing some type of light physical activity. This can include walking, stretching or leg extensions every 30 min. Exercise is so important and our bodies need to MOVE often!!
I love that every year thousands of businesses and organizations including myself download the ADA’s e- took kit to participate in this National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day. I have spoken at events on this day and it’s so neat to see a office bring in a yoga or Zumba instructor so their employees can take breaks and do a 20 min class. This movement has been an inspiration to me because many companies are stepping up and providing time for their employees to get in some movement during their work day. Some companies are making it a day where they work a 6 hour day with breaks throughout the day for movement and then at the end of the day their is a organized walk.
Here are a few tips you can incorporate more moving during your work day:
- Eat your lunch with part of your lunch break then take a walk with the rest of your break. I worked for a Dr. for 7 years and I always loved CA for it’s weather. Pretty much year round I could take walks during my lunch break. I did this for years. I found a lost dog one day when I was out walking I turned it in to the pound and left my phone number just so I could know the dogs owner got their dog back. The owner called me with joy in her voice with a big thank you for taking her lost dog to the pound. She asked me if I lived close by and I said no but I work close by. I told her I walk on my lunch break every day and the day I found her dog I was out walking on my break. She asked me if she could pay me to walk her dog every day. She shared that her and her spouse were gone so much and they just have not had time to walk her dog. I thought about it and decided I would enjoy dog walking. I was walking anyway so I did not need to be paid. This sweet dog became my friend and I walked him a good 2 years until I had my first child. I love sharing that story because who knew I would end up having a sweet dog to walk every day.
- Get some stretching in throughout the day. Nothing feels better then a good stretch.
- Set an alarm for every 30 minutes so you can stand , stretch or walk.
- If you can get a exercise ball to sit on instead of a chair. Some employers are providing these as options. It will engage your muscles and is way better then sitting in a chair.
- Walk instead of driving. If you have any errands that are within walking distance walk!!
- Park far away from the store. Doing this will give you extra steps to get your walking in.
- Learn and do chair exercises. There are a ton of youtube videos that teach you how to do chair exercises. This is a great way to move without even getting up.
These are just a few ideas. Most important is that your moving more sitting less each and every day!!
Healthy Find-
her with Food.” I love this years theme. It reminds us to go back to the basics and bring healthy food back into our life. Get rid of the processed food and go further with fresh and non processed food. Our bodies are not meant to take in processed food. Use sparingly if you do use processed food. With a good mindset about food and planning out healthy meals for us and our families I believe we will be able to Go FURTHER in life with more energy Start your day out with a healthy breakfast and make sure you get in a good healthy lunch. Make a dinner the center point to re connect with your family. Using healthy food so everyone stays healthy and feels the energy that good food can provide.
Spring is right around the corner!!
