It’s Time to Get Up!

According to a new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, a sedentary lifestyle is bad for us.  That we know.  It leads to health problems and possibly an early death.  But, according to this study, if you did sit for 12 or 13 hours a day (easily accomplished with a desk job) sitting for 30, 60, or 90 minutes at a time was associated with the highest risk of death.  Sitting for less than 30 minutes at a time was associated with a lower risk.  So, while a sedentary lifestyle is always bad, at least getting up every 30 minutes and moving around can be helpful.  

For gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients, an active lifestyle is important.  Sitting or laying down 12 to 13 hours a day (not including sleeping) is not congruent with a weight loss routine.  You have to get up and move around, even if it’s just walking, in order to burn calories, exercise your muscles, and make your heart pound.  Everyday you should incorporate some type of exercise- walking, jogging, swimming, tennis, weight lifting, yoga, squats, burpees, soccer, or whatever else you enjoy doing.

Even if we do exercise everyday, we all have times that we just need to chill.  But even when you are chilling, it may be best for your health to get up and move around.  The next time you binge watch a series, remember to get up at least every 30 minutes.  Go to the bathroom.  Put in a load of wash.  Fold some clothes.  Pour yourself another glass of water.  Go to the kitchen and wash your cup.  Do something.

Exercise is important to maintain a healthy body and mind, and is integral in helping Dr. Shillingford’s bariatric patients achieve their weight loss goals. The above suggestion is provided by Dr. Shillingford, M.D., P.A., a board certified general surgeon specializing in laparoscopic and bariatric surgery.  Dr. Shillingford’s lap band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass patients frequently cite exercise as one of the things that have helped them achieve their weight loss goals, and also something they find easier to do after they have lost weight.  Dr. Shillingford’s bariatric patients come from all over South Florida including Boca Raton, Wellington, Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, Miami Beach, as well as Orlando, Jupiter, and Jacksonville.