{"id":4522,"date":"2022-07-28T02:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T01:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slimmingworld.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=4522"},"modified":"2024-07-11T14:30:07","modified_gmt":"2024-07-11T13:30:07","slug":"move-why-we-should-sit-less","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slimmingworld.co.uk\/blog\/move-why-we-should-sit-less\/","title":{"rendered":"Active habit 1: Sitting still less"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Regular activity opens up a whole menu of body-boosting benefits, from a more toned shape to a lowered risk of heart disease and certain cancers. What might surprise you is that these benefits don\u2019t have to come from intense exercise, such as running 10Ks or doing high-energy fitness classes (phew!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our unique Body Magic programme<\/a> is based on the psychology of fitness motivation and behaviour change. It\u2019s been developed to help members to overcome personal barriers to moving more and gradually build activity into their routine \u2013 until it\u2019s an enjoyable part of life that they can\u2019t imagine giving up! One of the ways we do this is by focusing on five active habits that are great for health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>
\n

Slimming World\u2019s five active habits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Sitting still less<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Everyday movement<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Balance and flexibility<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Moderate-intensity cardio activity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Building strength (in our muscles and <\/em>bones)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    While maintaining all five active habits is the ultimate goal, you don\u2019t have to start them all at once. Adding just one of these types of activities to your Body Magic arsenal will boost your health in vitally important ways. For the next five weeks, we\u2019ll be delving deeper into each type of movement and looking at how you can build them into your busy schedule. First up, let\u2019s get up to speed on why it\u2019s good to sit still less\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why should we sit still less?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Even for very active people, long periods of sitting can increase the risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Dr Jacquie Lavin, Slimming World\u2019s Head of Research and Scientific Affairs, explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhen you\u2019re sedentary (for example, when you\u2019re sitting still), your major muscles are inactive, so your metabolism is lowered. That means on top of burning less energy, you\u2019re also not metabolising \u2013 or using as much fuel in your blood \u2013 such as glucose or fats. The good news is, just by standing up, stretching or changing position, you engage your muscles again, get your blood flowing around your body and kick-start your metabolism!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MORE ON THE BLOG: Discover the science behind Body Magic.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Getting started<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    While many of our jobs and lifestyles involve a lot of necessary sitting, it\u2019s easier than you might think to be less sedentary. Just stretching your legs out while you\u2019re sitting can help, and a two-minute wriggle every 20 minutes is even better. Here are some magic ideas to help you get your body moving just a little bit more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n