Move more, Sit less

Physical inactivity is becoming a world health problem. Every year it is estimated that physical inactivity causes 1 million deaths in the European Region. It is recommended that adults participate in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week or an equivalent combination of both. However, can we truthfully say that we fulfil these guidelines? According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 4 adults do not meet these recommendations meaning that 1.4 billion people in the world are deemed ‘inactive’. It is time to get the world moving.

Obesity is becoming a world epidemic, with Ireland having one of the highest obesity rates in Europe. Approximately 60% of Irish adults are overweight or obese. Being obese or overweight can raise blood pressure, cholesterol levels, initiate the development of metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Ireland is set to be in an obesity crisis by 2030. So, how did we end up with this problem? The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is really simple, it is an energy imbalance between calories expended and calories consumed.

Check out these 5 tips to kick start a healthy lifestyle

• Get off the bus or train a few stops earlier or park your car further away and walk the rest of the journey to work/college. This could be a 15-minute walk before and after work= 30 minutes of Physical activity for the day.
• Set targets/goals. If you are new to physical activity, this could be to walk for 15 minutes 5 days a week, we all must start somewhere! For others it may be to start a new sport, or to be able to run a 5k. (Try the ‘Couch to 5k’ app) Short-term or long-term goals can be a great motivator.
• Climb the stairs instead of using the lift!
• Need to make a phone call? At work or home instead of sitting down for a half hour to talk on the phone stand up or walk around your office/ room. Move more, sit less.
• Use some of your lunch time to participate in physical activity, go alone or take a work colleague or friend and go for a walk, cycle or jog.Picture source – https://healthcontinuum.org/2015/10/04/make-physical-activity-a-part-of-your-life/?fbclid=IwAR3knUo_IdfTR-9nyfjj7mkdpwmQm6K8KF_9KLF1MpAEyy5hbd3-tow9ZT0