Why you need to get up off your bum!

(And why always sitting is bad for your health…)

Marie Fell - The Pilates Physio

Why do you indeed?

We live in a modern society in the Western world where lounging around and basically “doing nothing” is almost considered the “social norm”.  This is worrying on many levels.

If we think back to our ancestor the caveman – if he sat around on his bum all day chances are he would have been a) eaten or b) literally forced to run for his life. As a basic instinct “flight or fight” mode would have no doubt have seen some super fit cavemen who could literally run for their lives and did so to avoid being something’s dinner. Survival of the fittest working at it’s best!

Nowadays due to our intellect, our species no longer has to take on the survival of the fittest role and so the majority of our population it seems has become content with being lazy, vegging around at home and the words “couch potato” spring to mind.

If I mention Netflix and hours of watching box sets you get the picture.

The majority of us have definitely been there or are there at the moment.

Marie Fell - The Pilates Physio

With the fast paced life that modern technology brings it is no wonder we are becoming more static and sedentary in our lifestyles. Why walk 1 – 2 miles to the shop when we can jump in our car that takes 5 minutes instead of using our legs which could take 30 – 40minutes? Time is precious and so most of us would opt to drive. You’re busy, I know. I get it.

However, what if I told you that being sedentary is almost like the new “smoking”. Seen as cool and hip initially until several studies later show that it’s the UK’s 4th biggest killer! Yes, you read that correctly.

Sitting on your bum day in, day out can actually kill you.

Why?

How is that even possible?

Well it won’t happen to me…

Actually if you are a couch potato, it could happen to you.

Our bodies were designed to move. Without movement our joints go stiff, our spines get sore, our muscles become achy and painful because without movement and blood flow to nourish our bodies, things begin to stop working properly.

This may be a long, slow process I hasten to add with many medical ailments attached such as diabetes, heart failure, osteoarthritis and you get the picture. All of which the symptoms and side effects are not fun to live with.

Becoming sedentary also alters our mood, reducing our natural happy hormones and increases a general sense of feeling tired, lethargic, no energy, worn out, de-motivated and even anxious or depressed.

Sitting on your bum all day is BAD for your HEALTH – mentally, physically, emotionally and socially.

All this paints a big sad face emoji.

So if you would like to reverse feeling any of the above the simple answer and its so easy is to get off your bum and MOVE.

Marie Fell - The Pilates physio

  • Go for a short walk
  • Go to an exercise class
  • Do a home workout with a DVD or you tube video
  • Take a brisk walk
  • Go swimming
  • Walk your neighbours dog, baby what ever gets you moving
  • Do some gardening
  • Do some housework

Find some motivational music or a podcast and get off your bum and GO.

Don’t over think it. JUST DO IT.

Sitting around all day is BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

It is affecting many younger people suffering with spine problems, poor posture, weak core muscles and general reduced fitness levels.

As Joseph Pilates says “If your spine is inflexibility stiff at 30, you are old. If it is completely flexible at 60, you are young”.

Marie Fell - The Pilates Physio

Maintain your youth.

Keep mobile, flexible and moving and notice huge health benefits like an improved sense of well-being, some extra vava voom and a little spring in your step.

If you need to add more movement into your day my online programme The Desk Rescuer is perfect for you. It gives you exercises you can practice in sitting and alternatives at the wall or even on the floor if you want to move a little more.

All exercises focus on spinal mobility, muscle flexibility, core strengthening and general toning so its a perfect body and mind workout.

Many sequences are 2 -3 minutes long so you can easily fit them into your busy, static day.

What are you waiting for? Get moving now.

 

Grab your course <<<here>>> and reduce your sedentary lifestyle today.