A Good Hug

Image from here

You know why!

Go hug the people who are closest to you. Your family, your friends.  And then go hug someone who you are NOT that close with (with their permission, of course). 

Let the world know, let each other know, you care.

Physical exercise is great – BUT – as I’ve tried to say many times – life is a BALANCE.  Please try to find your balance.

Good physical health REQUIRES good mental health.  If you need help or if you think a loved one needs help, reach out to a friend or loved one, to a member of the clergy, or to NY City’s Crisis Intervention hot line: 1.800.LIFENET.

See you in the gym.

Jay

Image from here

Image from here

Aching Back

Okay – so you’re lucky enough to have a job. That IS GREAT news!

And you may think you’re lucky to have a “desk job”.

Enjoy it, but please BE CAREFUL!

Sitting for long periods of time is HARD on your body.
“Excessive sitting is a lethal activity,” says Dr. James Levine, Mayo Clinic.

• It strains the back.
• Metabolism slows.
• Good cholesterol decreases.
• Increases risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Lose your desk chair
• Stand at your desk – obviously you need to get a standing desk.
• Get an exercise ball – sitting on it requires more energy and uses your back and abdominal muscles in a way that chairs don’t.
• Buy a $4,000 treadmill desk? See the NY Times article; link below.

• Move around A LOT!
• Program your watch, cell phone, or computer to beep at certain intervals to remind you.
• Stand up when you talk on the phone or are reading hard copy.
• Visit co workers instead of calling or emailing. Get them to walk around or outside the building with you. Have your meeting walking.
• Take short walk breaks several times a day.

Based on the following very recent articles:
The Antidote to a Sedentary Desk Job, Kurt Elder, Competitor December 2011.
A VERY limited supply is available in J’s BIG GYM and it will be posted on the large blue triangle.
E Zine
NY Times