Share this:
In a busy world where eating healthier and exercising regularly are often easier said than done, the key to losing weight may simply be standing in place.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.
According to research from Mayo Clinic, standing for six hours a day instead of sitting can help you burn an extra 54 calories during those six hours.
"That sounds [like] a little, but when we add those calories day after day, week after week, we can actually estimate that a person can lose about 5.5 pounds in a year," says Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist. "And that translates into 22 pounds in four years."
Dr. Lopez-Jimenez led the study. He takes the standing recommendation a step further himself and not only stands, but also uses a step machine while he works at his desk.
He says the benefits go beyond just weight loss.
"Our study also adds to what we already know about sitting for too long and heart diseases," Dr. Lopez-Jimenez says. "People who sit for too long have more heart attacks, more strokes, more diabetes."
He says it's important for people to still get exercise and eat a healthy diet, but simply standing up could be a great first step to a healthier lifestyle.
