Are you sitting down?

There’s a pretty good chance you are as we all spend so much of our time sitting down in today’s world. We sit down to eat, sit down in our cars on the way to work, sit at our desks most of the day then get home and sit in front of the TV or computer. The implications are far reaching including reduced spinal health, poor general posture, higher blood sugar, higher blood fat levels, higher waist circumference and a general higher risk of the metabolic syndrome.

In fact a recent study by Professor Paul Zimmet from the International Diabetes Institute in Melbourne regarding Television viewing times (seated) provided some alarming results that everybody should consider before slumping into the couch to watch TV most nights and across their weekends or spending hours and hours in front of their computers or computer games.

The most recent study reported on the association between television viewing and risk of early death and showed that 6 year mortality rate from all causes and from cardiovascular disease causes is significantly higher with increased TV viewing time in adults. Each one hour increment in TV viewing time was found to be associated with an 11% and 18% increased risk of all cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, respectively. Further to this and relative to those watching less TV (< 2 hours/day), there was a 46% increased risk of all cause death and an 80% increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in those watching four or more hours of TV per day.

For general spinal health, it is crucial to avoid static seated positions especially if at a desk all day. Try eating your lunch while walking or for something different, conduct a meeting while walking. The importance of regular breaks and light stretches cannot be emphasised enough. Likewise if you’re spending extended periods on the couch or in front of your computer it is imperative to get up regularly and take a stretch break. Go and make yourself a tea or coffee or grab a glass of water during ad breaks or stand up and conduct some light stretches every time the clock strikes a new hour.

Of course the best solution would be to reduce your number of seated hours and increase your physical exercise regime which not only reduces your chances of cardiovascular disease but also promotes the release of endorphins (nature’s painkillers) throughout the body and increases the strength and health of your spine and all the associated muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Is your posture limiting your potential?

For those of you already training with Lifestyle Improvers you will already be aware of some of our postural correction exercise techniques. For others, perhaps you are unaware of the limiting potential of poor posture on your everyday movements?

Whenever we start a new client at Lifestyle Improvers we always like to assess their posture at the earliest possible point in their exercise journey. Regardless of a client’s goals, be they weight loss, improved sporting performance or injury rehabilitation, the intensity of our training programs will progressively challenge them and when a system is challenged it is the weakest link(s) that will falter first. Often that weakest link can be attributed to a basic postural deficiency.

Often with a new client, they come to us all motivated, excited and wanting to get straight into complex weight bearing exercises when they are obviously not quite ready for it yet. This initial phase is the most important and requires some patience! I can compare it to building a house in that clearing the block, levelling the ground and laying the foundation is the most important part. But when it’s your house and you’re waiting for it to be built you just can’t wait to see the bricks go up and the roof go on!

According to Kendall (2005), ‘good posture’ is a composite of the positions of all the joints of the body at any given moment, both statically and dynamically, involving a minimal amount of stress and strain, resulting in maximal efficiency to the body. Of course our bodies are subject to many and varied internal and external forces and it is these forces that often create postural problems and possibly lead to injuries in later life. Genetics also play a part as do past and current work environments particularly those that involve long periods of sitting.



In our role at Lifestyle Improvers, as Fitness Professionals, it is not our position to diagnose injury and with any obvious or seriously debilitating condition we would always seek the advice of an allied Health Professional such as a Doctor, Chiropractor or Physiotherapist before pursuing a corrective exercise pathway. However, having a good understanding of the correlations between posture, function, pathology and pain will help us plan the correct training program for you and ensure you ultimately reach your potential.

As a special offer to our readers, mention this article and receive a free posture and lifestyle check by Lifestyle Improvers.

What are you missing out on in your life because you are too busy?

In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.

About 4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar then a woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $200 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story.

Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . . How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?

If you want to see this performance you can go to YouTube and Click on the Link below!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnOPu0_YWhw