Non-Food Ways To Lose Weight and Feel Great: Move More

Hi There! I hope you enjoyed the first post in my series on non-food ways to increase weight loss and feel good. In that post (If you haven't read it, click here), I discussed my #1 thing to do more of: get more sleep. Sleep is the golden ticket to enhanced performance in many of the functions your body requires to keep you healthy, fit and slimmer. 

Perhaps you have already begun to make getting more sleep a priority. As a coach, I believe that with intention, you can do it!

Today I'd like to share another activity that contributes to weight loss but doesn't involve food. That is to:

MOVE MORE

Movement as I am discussing here is completely separate from your regular exercise routine (which of course, you should continue to do). What kind of movement am I talking about? Any form of physical activity, such as walking, cleaning, playing with kids and pets. Being active in any way counts!

New research suggests that staying seated for long periods of time can have a negative impact on your health, which is why it is so important to get up and move around regularly. Further, moving more over the course of the day provides benefits to the body that routine, scheduled, hour-long exercise does not. ​

The new meme popular among many health professionals these days states that "sitting is the new smoking." Even the act of standing up and stretching on a regular basis throughout the day is better than continuously sitting for long periods of time. According to The British Journal of Sports Medicine, your metabolism slows down greatly after only 30 minutes of sitting! It's important to note that even if you vigorously exercise for an hour every day, it does not fully counter the effects of sitting for the rest of the day. In short, if you exercise regularly but sit too much afterwards, your body may still suffer the consequences of prolonged sitting.

The easiest way to keep moving throughout the day is to add additional movement to your current routine.

Outside of work, this could be:

• Parking your car farther away from your destination
• Using the stairs instead of the elevator (even if only for one or two flights)
• Walking the dog instead of letting her out
• Playing more actively with children

At work, this could be:

• Taking more frequent water breaks 
• Visiting co-workers at their desk instead of using technology to communicate
• Walking during the day at lunch
• Walking in your office while on the phone
• Scheduling 'walking & talking' meetings

Let's look at how getting more movement into your daily routine benefits weight loss and well-being:

• You'll burn more calories. Moving throughout the day keeps your metabolism up and increases your total calorie burn. Moving burns more calories than sitting. Even the act of standing up from a seated position is better than staying seated for long periods of time.
• You'll lower your risk of serious diseases. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are all directly affected by activity level and metabolic conditions. Some types of cancer and depression are linked to inactivity as well.
• You'll have more energy throughout the day. By moving more throughout the day, you increase the amount of oxygen that gets to your cells. As a result you feel more awake and energetic. The more sedentary you are, the less energy you have.
• You'll be more focused and better at problem solving. Taking breaks to move around actually keeps your brain more alert and engaged. And periodically breaking from what you're doing can increase your ability to problem-solve. In fact, changing your activity for even ten minutes can help generate a renewed perspective when you return to the task at hand. Solutions can magically become apparent!
• You'll have more friends. Movement throughout the day clears the physical and mental "cobwebs" by encouraging the fresh flow of oxygen through your body. This higher level of energy makes you more fun to be around. And who doesn't like to hang out with THAT person?

So be more mindful of how much sitting you do, even if you exercise regularly and vigorously. By simply moving more throughout the day, you will be healthier, happier and slimmer!

If you want to learn more about food, movement and how you can feel great in your body (without losing your mind), send me an email, or call me at (201) 803-3257.

I'm also offering a free Discovery Call to discuss your health needs and how I can help you. Click here to schedule your free half-hour phone session with no obligation. 

​Let's talk!

In Good Health,