Sitting Pretty: How Our New Normal Is Keeping Us Still
Let’s be real for a minute: life has gotten pretty darn convenient, hasn’t it?
We can work from the comfort of our couches, shop without leaving the house (thanks, Amazon!), and even order our favorite meals with just a few taps on our phones.
Movie nights? We’ve got entire theaters in our living rooms now.
But while all this convenience feels like a dream come true, there’s a not-so-little downside we’re all facing: we’re moving a whole lot less.
The Age of Convenience (and Couch Living)
Let’s paint the picture. With remote work, those daily commutes have turned into quick rolls out of bed and right into Zoom calls.
Shopping for essentials? DoorDash, Grubhub, and Amazon have that covered, delivering everything we need straight to our doorstep.
And who needs to park their car, walk up to the mall or movie theater and stand in line when streaming services give us a front-row seat to all the latest releases?
Now, don’t get us wrong—this convenience is a lifesaver in many ways.
But the more we rely on it, the more our bodies get used to staying still.
And being still for too long can have some sneaky effects, from fewer burned calories and lower energy levels to achy muscles and that restless feeling you just can’t shake.
Why It’s Time to Get Moving
So much more often these days, we encounter people mentioning how much harder it is as of late to lose weight and see progress.
With our daily movement (and subsequent calorie burn) way down, we aren’t doing ourselves any favors if burning body fat is the goal.
AND now with more options than ever for delicious meals delivered right to our door, this combination of less activity and super easy access to high calorie foods might be doing more damage than we realize.
Here’s the thing: while life around us has gotten easier, our bodies still crave and need movement.
We’re built to move! And now more than ever, it’s important to shake off that extra screen time and sneak in some daily activity.
Not only does it burn a bunch more calories and keep our bodies in good shape, but it also works wonders for our mental well-being.
Think of it as a way to refresh your mind, boost your mood, and bring a little extra pep into your day.
How to Get Started (Without Overthinking It)
You don’t have to overhaul your entire routine to be more active. Start small!
If you’re working from home, take a break and do a quick lap around the block or stretch it out between meetings.
Waiting for your food delivery? Throw on your favorite playlist and have a little dance party or do some squats and planks in the kitchen.
Overall, it’s about finding those little moments to get moving and make them a habit.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about a new activity or sport like golf or pickleball to make up for some of this missed calorie burn. This can be a great way to add back in some of that missed activity.
And if you are already a member of a gym, perhaps plan a workout meet-up with a friend or hire a trainer to help hold you accountable.
Embrace the Journey
At the end of the day, it’s all about taking care of yourself and finding what feels good.
Our world might be more convenient than ever, but that’s no reason to get less movement in day to day.
So lace up those sneakers, find something that makes you smile, and start today. Your body (and mind) will thank you!