Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.
Aerobic exercise includes any activity that raises your heart rate such as walking, dancing, running or swimming. This can also include doing housework, gardening and playing with your children. Other types of exercise such as strength training, Pilates and yoga can also help you lose belly fat.
The two primary factors that negatively impact your gut health from too much sitting are decreased blood flow and increased pressure on your digestive tract.
Avoid slouching and sit straight, as this will not only help you fix your posture but also aid in weight loss. This is an additional tip you must follow while sitting. According to researchers, sitting upright may help you in burning an extra 350 more calories per day.
Other research has linked prolonged sitting or other sedentary behavior to diabetes, poor heart health, weight gain, depression, dementia, and multiple cancers.
Technically, yes. You're always burning calories to keep your body warm and maintain basic function. But your calorie burn while sitting is considerably lower than it is when you're up and moving. That's because it takes more energy to move your muscles than to sit still.
It is thought excessive sitting slows the metabolism – which affects our ability to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, and metabolise fat – and may cause weaker muscles and bones. Research on astronauts in the early 1970s found life in zero gravity was linked with accelerated bone and muscle loss and ageing.
Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns. They include obesity and a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and unhealthy cholesterol levels — that make up metabolic syndrome.
Bloating, or swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the tissues can cause weight gain. This may be due to menstruation, heart or kidney failure, preeclampsia, or medicines you take. A rapid weight gain may be a sign of dangerous fluid retention. If you quit smoking, you might gain weight.
Low risk: Sitting for less than 4 hours per day. Medium risk: Sitting for 4–8 hours per day. High risk: Sitting for 8–11 hours per day. Very high risk: Sitting for more than 11 hours per day.
Taking 5-minute standing or moving breaks every 30 minutes can help offset the health effects of sitting all day. Being active before or after work can go a long way in reducing the effects of daytime sitting.
If sitting for too long is harmful, is it better to work lying down? Unfortunately not. Lying down may be cosier, but it's not healthier. Just like sitting, it belongs to the group of activities with low energy consumption.
A research study states that regular walking helps reduce belly fat, which improves the body's response to insulin. Walking for at least 30 minutes every day allows you to prevent weight gain. It can also strengthen the muscles in your legs and tone your legs.
The Science of Fat Loss
Think of it like a balloon losing air—it deflates, but doesn't disappear immediately. Over time, your body adjusts, but the jiggly feeling can be a temporary step along the way.
What is the fastest way to lose belly fat in a week? Doing cardio and abdominal exercises every day, coupled with a healthy diet (that is low in calories, fats, and sugars) is an efficient strategy for losing belly fat quickly.
Studies have shown that you can help trim visceral fat or prevent its growth with both aerobic activity (such as brisk walking) and strength training (exercising with weights). Spot exercises, such as sit-ups, can tighten abdominal muscles but won't get at visceral fat. Exercise can also help keep fat from coming back.
The article highlights five homemade morning drinks that assist in losing belly fat by enhancing metabolism and promoting fat burning. These beverages include honey-infused lemon water, jeera water, buttermilk or chaas, cinnamon tea, and green tea.
Unhealthy eating is the biggest driver of big bellies. Too many starchy carbohydrates and bad fats are a recipe for that midsection to expand. Instead, get plenty of veggies, choose lean proteins, and stay away from fats from red meats. Choose healthier fats in things like fish, nuts, and avocados.
Activities like running, cycling, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) burn more calories and fat throughout the body, including the upper belly, lower belly, and obliques. So, while ab exercises can help define your core, it's a holistic approach that will help you lose the fat covering those muscles.
Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health.
The 20:8:2 rule was coined by Dr. Alan Hedge, an ergonomics professor at Cornell University, who found that sitting for 20 minutes, standing for 8, and then walking around for 2 minutes keeps your body active and in good posture.
Spending more than 8-10 hours in bed per day, outside of the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep, can be considered excessive. Prolonged periods of inactivity can lead to various health issues, such as muscle weakness, decreased metabolism, and an increased risk of chronic diseases like obesity and cardiovascular problems.