WE SIT TOO MUCH

Nearly half of Americans sit for far too many hours a day and don’t get any exercise at all. A survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of 5,900 adults found that nearly 26 percent sit for more than eight hours a day, 45 percent don’t get any moderate or vigorous exercise during the week, and about 11 percent sit more than eight hours a day and are physically inactive. Being sedentary increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and dying early. The new edition of the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans says that any amount of physical activity – even two minutes’ worth – can add up to huge health benefits.
* Two minutes of activity? Like getting up at halftime to get a beer and a bowl of chips?
* Gone are the days of our colonial forefathers who used to go to the gym at least three times a week.
* Would it help to switch to a rocking chair?
* How about people who, for example, sit for four hours every morning?