I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but I’m pretty sure we can both say that we want to live as long as possible. Not just living a long time, but living with quality for a long time. The word “Longevity,” gets thrown around a lot, but I think it fits the bill here.
How do we create long lives with quality? How do we achieve this longevity?
A new study performed by ACSM used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to find out exactly what was the best longevity marker. The study looked at a number of markers, including: diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking vs nonsmoking, amount of physical activity, having cancer and how old you are, among others.
Lo and behold, the best predictor for living a long and healthy life was…drum roll here… the amount of daily physical activity you do (funny how this is something we’d write a blog about, huh?).
The study showed, quite literally, that Longevity Is Powered By Movement. Even more than having diabetes, or cancer or being a smoker, simply getting up and moving your body is linked to living a longer, healthier life.
“Well, Robert, that’s all fine and dandy, but what are some ways I can get more movement into my day to day life?”
“Great question! It’s almost as if I wanted you to ask that!”
First, it’s quite easy to get more movement in:
- You can walk places (or bike) instead of driving. Easy, quick, daily shops (if you live in the city itself) are a great way to get your step count up.
- Park farther away from the entrance to your office or grocery store if you have to drive.
- Using a standing desk instead of sitting in a chair all day works wonders. “But I’m not moving, I’m standing…” Fair - and try not to interrupt so much - but even simply using your muscles to hold yourself up is more strenuous than letting a chair do the work. You’ll be more inclined to shuffle around and stretch. Every little bit counts.
- Try to get quick 10 minute walks in throughout the day.
- Jump into an extra class here at PXM to get your weekly average of activity up!
- Pace during calls.
- Or better yet, make that meeting a walking meeting. Imagine how much of a power move it would be that you’re so in shape you make others exercise too!
These are just a small handful of the ways you can add minutes of movement to your day - which will only lead to quality minutes to your life! Remember, Longevity: Powered By Movement!
- Coach Robert Prevatt
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