Tracking My Tush Time

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One of the big lifestyle changes I’m working on is becoming more active. I’m convinced sitting on my butt all day at an office and at home in front of the TV contributed to my present weight. And I’m not alone in that thinking.

Are you like our little friend here waiting for someone light that fire under your butt to get you moving? That someone better be you.

Are you waiting for someone light that fire under your butt to get you moving? That someone better be you.

Standing vs. sitting was the topic du jour at my Weight Watchers meeting on Friday.  Our bodies evolved to move. Yet the average person remains sedentary for more than half the time they are awake – more than 12 hours. The meeting leader pointed out that the 30 – 45 minutes we spend busting our butts at the gym doesn’t do enough to counteract the detrimental effects of 8, 9, or 10 hours of sitting. Great!

So what exactly are the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle? Oh little things like heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

I did let out a loud chuckle as I sat there listening to the meeting leader talk about the dangers of sitting.

After my outburst, our meeting leader asked us to add up how much time we spend sitting. I estimated that I’m on my tush 6.5 hours a day.  Granted that’s a very rough estimate. I know I’m sitting a lot less than when I weighed 325.

Today I’m tracking my sedentary hours in real time.  So far I’ve sat for a total of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Mind you, a chunk of that time is spent sitting on an exercise ball while I’m on the computer…so technically that time really shouldn’t count.

I’m on my feet for the next 3-4 hours cleaning and cooking.

For much of the day and afternoon I’m pretty much go-go-go. It’s the evening hours that get tough. I’m usually starting to unwind by working on a knitting project.  Sorry, but I just can’t stand and knit.

Sure, I could stand while watching the telly, but that just seems a bit odd. Plus that means curling up on the couch next to the dogs is a no-no.

Nope, I think it makes more sense for me to get more active during the daylight hours.

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5 thoughts on “Tracking My Tush Time”

  1. leannenalani

    The nice thing about teaching is that it encourages you to move around a lot of the time. I wasn’t sure how to vote, though, because I wasn’t sure if sleeping counted as sitting… I probably should have selected 4-8 hours if sleeping doesn’t count!

    Reply
    • Dot

      Sleeping doesn’t count. I know at Weight Watchers, teachers and hair stylists are viewed differently in that you are not sedentary. Being on your feet all day does give you an advantage over the rest of us mortals. You burn more if you are standing/walking around. When I worked for “the Man” I know that I never walked around other than going to a meeting or to the vending machine. I wished I ordered a standing desk. But I knew so little then.

      Reply
    • Dot

      When I worked for a living, I sat for about 13 out of the 15 hours I was at work. I’d come home (sitting in 90 minutes of traffic) and veg out on the couch for 4 hours. Not good. I gave it all up to lose weight. Best thing: I now walk my dogs 3 times a day. I never get a moments peace with them, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Those 2 keep me on my toes. Plus, my cat loves to have a go at my exercise ball while I’m sitting on it.

      Reply
      • Kristen Cole

        Love that, and it feels great right?! I love spending my free time outside in the sun running around with my dog. Always brightens my day no matter what!

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