get Up, stand Up

If you're reading this, I want you to stand up.

That's right.  Push back your chair, and stand up.  In fact, I'm standing up as I write this :)  Seriously.  Aside from a few extra typos, it's actually fairly easy to type on foot.  

So, why should you do something so bizarre?  Well, I'm glad you asked!

According to one online source, standing burns approximately 50% more calories than sitting. While I personally feel that figure is a bit optimistic, the fact remains that the simple act of standing rather than sitting will increase your caloric expenditure for the day.  

Sounds simple, doesn't it?

That's because it is.  

Which brings me to my next point: pocket change.

We all accumulate ridiculous amounts of small change during the course of the year.  It sits at the bottom of our pocketbooks, litters the cup holder in the car, or sits on top of your dresser.   If we took the time to collect it, roll it and bring it to the bank we might find ourselves with some real money.  

Just like those coins that we're so quick to forget about, there are so many small changes we can make in our daily routines that, in the long run, can turn into large investments in our general wellness, fitness and nutritional health.  

Things as simple as pushing back our chair and standing up every once in a while.

This summer, join me as I collect my pocket change and turn it into cold, hard, wellness cash.

Just be sure that when you do push back that chair, you move it out of the way so as not to trip up your co-workers ;)



5 comments:

  1. What a great analogy. I've heard the calorie expenditure thing before. I agree, it may be an optimistic figure but why not give it a whirl?

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  2. As a dedicated reader, I learned several years ago that you burn more calories even just sitting up to read as opposed to reclining. Sometimes it's great to recline, sure, but mindfulness and choice go a long way! (By the way, we have a turn-in-your-change machine that charges about .08 per buck unless you turn the $ into gift cards--places like Border's--hello reading!--and Starbucks, BB&B, others too. I just do Border's, and that loose change adds up for stuff I'd buy anyway.

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  3. *note to self* Make a point to sit UP while sitting down.

    Thanks!

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  4. J - I'm game for making any small change in my daily routine that could have a positive outcome. Like choosing the parking spot further away, or (gasp) taking the stairs :) And since I spend much of my day on my tush at a desk, it's nice to get up every once in a while.

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