Commit to Health: Sitting is killing you slowly

You may want to stand up for this. Why? Because sitting down may be killing you.

The medical community calls it 'Sitting Disease.” It's a real term, and it's a real threat. 'For people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking,” says Martha Grogran, cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. Not only can prolonged sitting lead to weight gain and obesity, it can increase your risk of cancer, cardiovascular decay, muscular disorders, chronic pain and headaches.

America's sedentary lifestyle shortens life expectancy. Excessive sitting impacts our body's metabolic system. 'Today, our bodies are breaking down from obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, depression and the cascade of health ills and everyday malaise that come from what scientists have named ‘sitting disease,'” says Dr. James Levine.

Even if you exercise and sit too long, you are still at risk. 'We've become so sedentary that 30 minutes a day at the gym may not counteract the detrimental effects of eight, nine or 10 hours of sitting,” says Genevieve Healy. Numerous studies found that people who sat for prolonged periods of time had a higher risk of dying from all causes - even those who exercised regularly. It should be noted that the negative effects were even more pronounced in people who did little or no exercise. 'Too much sitting is not the same as too little exercise,” says Marc Hamilton, microbiologist. That's why it's important to find ways to stand up during the day to try to combat sitting disease.

Shockingly, researchers found the fear of an early death didn't motivate people to stand as much as losing weight did, so know that you burn 30 percent more calories standing.

Make it an office goal: Stand more, sit less. Standing will increase energy, burn extra calories, tone muscles, improve posture, increase blood flow and ramp up metabolism.

So how can you stand more?

' Stand talking on the phone

' Do not sit longer than 30 minutes

' Do a lap around the office at the top of every hour

' Stand at meetings - it may increase creativity

' Get adjustable sit-to-stand products for desk/laptop.

' Stand at sporting events

' Go for walks after dinner

' Watch less TV or stand during commercials

Stand more, sit less. It's one sweat-free way to decrease your chance of premature death. Are you willing to take a stand for your health?

' Kylie Alger is a certified wellness coach and co-owner of The Well-Woman: Body, Mind & Spirit. Comments: kylie@thewellwoman.org